Guest Contributor, B2G Victory Team
THE CONTRACTING WORLD
Opportunities
There are more than a trillion dollars in annual buying of school districts, colleges, and universities, with over 3 million bids and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) published annually. And each and every one of you reading this can do it. You can WIN these government contracts! There are tons and tons of opportunities. But three letters matter in the word oppOrtUnitY…YOU!. The question we have for you is “What is your Victory Plan?”
With so many opportunities, one might be a little overwhelmed or stressed and want to pull their hair out. If you are feeling unprepared, it can cause the same feeling. Don’t pull your hair out! Let us break it down for you. What’s an RFQ? What’s an IFB? What’s an RFP-C? What’s an RFP? Are the factors to win the same?
Request for Qualifications
Earlier, we mentioned a bunch of acronyms. One of which was the Request for Qualifications, or RFQ. The RFQ is easy to prepare and covers a few topics. An RFQ is an agency stating, “I need this done, are you able to do it?” There is no price being provided in your response to the agency.
- Past performances
- References
- Forms/attachments
- Resumes
- Firm Profile
Invitation for Bid
The Invitation for Bid, or IFB, summarizes the cost it will take to complete the agency’s needs. This is your response to the agency’s question, “I need this done. What will you charge me to do it?”- Financial status
- Bonding
- Attachments/forms
- Exhibits
- Project manager
- Debris Removal
- References
- Safety plan
Request for Pricing – Commodities
The Request for Pricing – Commodities, or RFP-C. These are similar to an IFB and are fairly easy to produce. An RFP-C is the agency’s way of getting pricing for specific items. RFP-Cs are specifically for a straight commodity or service.
- Pricing
- Forms/attachments
- References
- Supplemental information
Request for Proposal
The Request for Proposal, or RFP, brings it all together. The agency has a problem, and they want to know what is the best solution, can you do it, and how much is it going to cost me? An RFP requires more planning, effort, and preparation. Being selected is very competitive; you have to check, double check, and triple check that your RFP is specific and compliant with the agency’s needs. A scoring criteria is included in the RFP and will have a very structured outline. Your RFP response could include many items requested from the agency. Each of these requirements are opportunities for you to differentiate your business from your competitors. Be thorough, be straightforward, and be honest when writing and crafting these items.
- Team members with resumes
- References
- Past Performances
- Detailed pricing
- Schedule
- Approach
- Firm Profile
- Financial Status
- Forms/attachments
Winning the Bid
The factors that win are all the same! Do your research first and foremost. Establish a client relationship and maintain a good reputation. Your previous experience and performances will speak volumes for you. Be able to offer a solution; the agency is coming forward with a problem that needs to be solved, solve it. Remain competitive by keeping up with your competitors and best practices across the industry. Lastly, and most importantly, provide a timely response and, without question, provide a compliant submission.
To learn more about B2G Victory, visit their website at https://b2gvictory.com/ or contact them at 832-305-6958 or hello@b2gvictory.com.
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