20 items to verify before submitting a government contract proposal. From reading the solicitation to hitting submit.
For a complete writing guide, see How to Write a Government Proposal.
Read every page, including attachments, amendments, and referenced documents. Don't skim — missing one requirement can disqualify your proposal.
Check required certifications, clearances, insurance levels, bonding capacity, and past performance minimums. If you can't meet a mandatory requirement, don't bid.
Your registration must be active at time of award. Check expiration dates. SAM.gov requires annual renewal.
Confirm the solicitation's NAICS code matches your registration and that you qualify as small business under that code's size standard (if it's a set-aside).
Pre-bid conferences and site visits are sometimes mandatory. Even when optional, they provide critical context about the agency's actual needs and priorities.
If anything in the solicitation is unclear, ask during the formal Q&A period. Don't guess — wrong assumptions lead to non-compliant proposals. All Q&A responses are shared with bidders.
Map every solicitation requirement to a section in your proposal. This ensures you address every single evaluation criterion and don't miss anything.
Page limits, font size, margins, file naming, section order — follow every instruction. Non-compliant formatting can result in rejection without review.
Structure your proposal around how it will be scored. If technical approach is worth 40% and price is 30%, your technical section should be your strongest content.
Provide contract numbers, dollar values, client contacts, and relevance descriptions. Generic references weaken your proposal. Pick projects most similar to this requirement.
Explain how you will perform the work, not just that you can. Include timelines, methodologies, staffing plans, quality control processes, and risk mitigation.
Government evaluators know market rates. Underbidding raises red flags about your ability to perform. Include all direct and indirect costs, labor rates, materials, travel, and profit margin.
Complete every required certification (small business, equal opportunity, non-debarment, lobbying restrictions, etc.). Missing certifications = disqualification.
Large business prime contractors often need a small business subcontracting plan. Small business set-asides may require teaming arrangements.
Have someone who didn't write the proposal review it against the compliance matrix. Every requirement must have a clear, traceable response.
Check math in pricing, consistent team member names, matching dates, and accurate contract references. Errors suggest carelessness.
The proposal must be signed by someone authorized to bind the company. Verify the signer's authority and include their title.
Check that every required form, certificate, and supporting document is attached. Use the solicitation's document checklist if one is provided.
Upload or deliver your proposal at least 24 hours before the deadline. Technical issues, upload errors, and delivery delays at the last minute mean disqualification.
Screenshot or save the confirmation email/receipt. If there's a dispute about whether your proposal was received on time, you'll need proof.
The best proposal doesn't help if you're bidding on the wrong contracts. GovBid matches you to opportunities that fit your business.