How to read an RFP in 15 minutes
A fast, ordered way to read a request for proposals: find the deadline, the scope, the must-haves and the scoring before you spend a full day on it.
Guide
A better-informed
bid starts here.
Plain-English guidance for the questions that slow bidding down. General information; agency and jurisdiction rules vary.
All guides
What is an addendum, and why does missing one disqualify bids?
An addendum is an official change to a solicitation. Learn why agencies require you to acknowledge each one and how to make sure none slip past you.
Bid bond vs performance bond: what is the difference?
A bid bond backs your promise to sign the contract if you win. A performance bond backs the work itself. Here is how each works and when it is required.
How public agencies award: lowest price vs best value
Public agencies award contracts by lowest responsive price or by best value. Learn how each method works and how to tell which one a solicitation uses.
What is a bid/no-bid decision, and how do you make one?
A bid/no-bid decision is a short, honest check of whether a bid is worth your time. Use these questions to decide quickly and to say no with confidence.
How to register on a government bid portal
Before you can bid, you usually have to register as a vendor. Learn what information to gather, how SAM.gov fits in, and how to keep registrations current.
What is a pre-bid conference?
A pre-bid conference is a meeting where the agency explains a solicitation and bidders can ask questions. Learn when it is mandatory and how to prepare.
How to read a bid tabulation
A bid tabulation lists who bid and what they offered. Learn how to read one, what it can tell you about pricing and competitors, and how to find them.
How to write a capability statement
A capability statement is a one-page summary of what your company does for government buyers. Learn what to include, what to leave out, and how to use it.
What is a set-aside, and does my company qualify?
A set-aside reserves a contract for a certain kind of business, such as small or veteran-owned firms. Learn the common types and how qualifying works.
NAICS and commodity codes: how to pick the right ones
Learn what NAICS and commodity codes do, how buyers use them to find vendors, and how to pick codes that bring you the right public bid notices.
How to find public bids your company can win
Where federal, state and local bids are posted, how to set up alerts that fit, and how to screen each notice quickly so you chase bids you can win.
What is a cooperative contract?
A cooperative contract lets many public agencies buy from one competitively awarded contract. Learn how they work and what they mean for vendors.
RFP, RFQ, IFB and RFI: what is the difference?
RFP, RFQ, IFB and RFI explained in plain English: what each request asks for, how the buyer decides, and how your response should change for each one.
How to ask questions during the Q&A period
How to write clear questions during a solicitation Q&A period: who to ask, when to ask, what to ask about, and how answers reach every bidder.
Sealed bids: mailing, hand delivery and deadlines
How to deliver a sealed bid on time: packaging, labeling, mail and courier risks, hand delivery, the official clock, late bids and electronic uploads.
How to build a compliance matrix
A compliance matrix tracks every requirement in a solicitation and where your response meets it. Learn what columns to use and how to build one fast.
How to request a debriefing after losing a bid
How and when to request a debriefing after a lost public bid, what you can usually learn, what to ask, and how to turn the lessons into your next bid.
Certificates of insurance for public bids
What a certificate of insurance shows, which coverages and wording public buyers often require, when it is due, and how to get it right the first time.
How to price a public bid
Build a public bid price from real costs, overhead and profit, test it against past awards and bid tabulations, and fill out the price form without errors.