4 Ways to Work With LMC
Knowing where you need help with developing a proposal may seem like a bit of a maze, you’re just not sure which way to go. However, depending on the size of your business, what you’ll need to submit a winning proposal will vary. Solopreneurs may just need help with compliance to make sure no requirements are missed while a small business may need full proposal management support. Whatever the case is, LMC provides four different services to get you bidding and winning proposals like a pro.
1 - Proposal Management
First up is proposal management and what I consider full service. This is best for small businesses that don’t have a proposal manager or coordinator on their team and need help from the moment the RFP is released through to submission. It can also be helpful for a solopreneur that needs to focus on writing while we handle all the logistics of the proposal. This service includes:
Reviewing the RFP and developing a compliance matrix to track requirements throughout the writing process and before submission
Assisting with win theme/differentiator development to help tell your story and stand out from competitors
Developing a schedule of major milestones like writing deadlines, review meetings. and proposal due dates so the team can stay on track and manage time accordingly
Creating a proposal template and outline based on requirements to make the writing process more efficient and aligned with the RFP
Organizing all proposal documents and versions of your response to keep the team working from the correct files at all times
Serving as the single point of contact during the response phase so communications and roles are clear
Assisting with submission and formatting of your proposal ensuring all requirements are met and documents are sent correctly
2 - Systems & Process Improvement
If you bid on several proposals at a time or throughout the year, then this one is for you. Part of making the response phase easier is having the proper systems in place. This allows you to focus on writing and less on the logistics, especially since proposal timelines are often shorter than we want them to be, right? This service includes:
Creating templates for cover pages, writing, compliance, communications, presentations, and checklists
Writing standard operating procedures so any team member can understand the proposal process and the stage the team is in
Consolidating response copy to use in several proposals which cuts down on writing time
Setting up file structures in Sharepoint, or similar repositories, to easily locate files
3 - Consultations
If you are new to submitting proposals or just need to ask some questions about a specific solicitation, then a consultation is the way to go. Consultations can be set up in hourly blocks and are for businesses with an active RFP, meaning the final documents have been released by the government and it has a due date, or an RFP that is expected to be released soon.
4 - Compliance Checks
Throughout the writing process and before submission it’s important to make sure you’ve addressed all the requirements from the SOW, formatting, and evaluation standpoints at minimum. This is where compliance checks come in and I recommend doing at least one during the writing process and one right before submission. By doing this, you have time to fix any major issues while you are perfecting your response or add anything minor before you submit. This service includes:
Developing a compliance matrix at the beginning of the proposal process
Checking for compliance based on a schedule that works best for your business
Providing a detailed report of any compliance misses and how to fix them
And there you have it, 4 ways LMC can help you with your next (or first!) proposal submission. Contact us to get started and improve your journey into the world of government contracting.