Category: Federal

  • 10 steps to evaluate an RFP

    10 steps to evaluate an RFP

    How do you dissect an RFP in a short amount of time to start the evaluation process? We are talking about high-level understanding of the submittal, key points that will go into your decision to pursue or pass. We aren’t writing the outline or developing a compliance matrix (…yet) simply reading the RFP to gather…

  • Getting started with Federal Government Contracting

    Getting started with Federal Government Contracting

    According to the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, via USASpending, Maryland ranks second per capita among the states and fourth in dollar value of federal government contracts, totaling $42.9 billion. For Department of Defense contracts, Maryland ranks fourth per capita among states and fifth in total dollar value with $15.4 billion. Those numbers can be alluring…

  • General Rules for the SF330

    General Rules for the SF330

    The Standard Form 330 (SF330) is used by Federal agencies, and several state and local agencies as the format for architecture and engineering firm qualifications. In industry, we call these proposals because the SF330 form is our proposal to do the work. However, the agencies call these forms a “presolicitation” because there is no pricing…

  • CPARS VS PPQs – Common Questions

    CPARS VS PPQs – Common Questions

    When writing proposals to the Federal government, past performance is one of the most important evaluation factors. Agencies use past performance ratings to understand how a firm delivered previous projects. These ratings cover quality of work, cost control, schedule control, overall management and sometimes other categories that were relevant to that project such as small…

  • Breaking Down the SF330 Synopsis – How to evaluate the opportunity?

    Breaking Down the SF330 Synopsis – How to evaluate the opportunity?

    An SF330 Synopsis is the driving force of proposals in the architecture and engineering industry. At the federal level, firms win work by submitting qualifications before negotiating cost due to the Brooks Act. It is crucial to have a deep understanding of what our potential clients are requesting by engaging in capture activities and by…

  • Federal Marketing: Effective Capability Statements

    Federal Marketing: Effective Capability Statements

    Recently, I had a conversation with a colleague I’ve been working with for several months. At the end of our call, she said, “On a completely different topic, I might need your help in a few weeks.” I couldn’t imagine what she would need, her new website just launched, her e-mail marketing is top notch,…