Got questions?

We have answers.  We’ll even do it for you.

I have a great business.  How do I get government contracts?

 The basic framework is to do the groundwork, including research and networking.  Once released, analyze the RFP.  Next, craft a winning proposal and submit it, on time.

This is a very simplified explanation, and each part has several steps.  Check out our blog for more information and tips on preparing for award season, the busiest time on the GSA schedule.

What’s the difference between an RFP and a proposal?

The RFP is the request for proposal.  It’s the government’s solicitation of vendors to provide the goods and services they need.  Your response is called a proposal, offer, or bid. If you’re drowning in GOVCON alphabet soup, check out our ACRONYM glossary page!

What if I need help figuring out where to start?

We understand that entering the government contracting realm is confusing.  Running a business is overwhelming.  We’ve been there, too, which is why we are ready to help.  Let’s have a conversation about where you are, what you do, and where you want to go.  We’ll get you there!

What’s proposal writing?  Is there more than one type?

 There are as many different kinds of proposal in the world as there are trees.  For our purposes, let’s stick with what proposals mean in the area of government contracting -as opposed to business proposals, prom proposals, tennis match proposals, etc.

As seen above, your response to a government solicitation is usually called a proposal.  It’s your opportunity to say “Hey, Contract Officer! My company is the best one to do this work for the government.  Pick me, pick me!”  For more concrete advice, head over to our blog.

Proposal requirements vary widely, and may depend on the agency issuing the RFP, the type of work described within it or the past relevant experience that work requires.  So blanket proposals are generally NOT a good idea.  Requirements can be as detailed as telling offerors (that’s you, who wants to do the work) which font and font size must be used for the proposal.  Mine the RFP to make sure you have a solid knowledge of what needs to go into the proposal, how the KO wants the proposal submitted and all other stipulations.  It would be terrible to lose out on a contract because your team sent in documents that were in the wrong order, or didn’t have page numbers when requested.

When should I team with a partner?

Using our experience and knowledge of government requirements, we’ll evaluate if a partner will improve your chance of getting the award.

What’s the difference between best value and LPTA contracts?

LPTA and Best Value are two methods Contract Officers (KOs) use to evaluate proposals.  LPTA stands for “lowest cost, technically acceptable” and means that once the minimum technical requirements for a contract are met by the offeror, price is the biggest consideration.

Best value is more nuanced.  For those types of contracts, KOs may choose a higher priced bid with outstanding technical merit, relevant past performance or other factors that justify that higher cost.

After evaluating hundreds of proposals from your customer’s perspective (that’s the G.O.V., friends), we have excellent understanding of what screams “best value” to KOs.  We can help tailor your past performance, suggest when to team with a partner, and even help you analyze which opportunities to pursue.

Can I get someone else to write my RFP response?

Yes.

You could let Laurel Rock write your proposal; we’ll make sure it’s rock-solid.

I have an offer ready – will you edit my documents?

Absolutely! We can review your offer and evaluate it until it’s as rock-solid as if we wrote it ourselves.

What NAICS codes does Laurel Rock serve?

Your NAICS codes are our NAICS codes.  While we specialize in Engineering and Professional Services, our experience benefits any industry.