Understanding Federal RFP's
 
I received a call from a gentleman interested in submitting an application for federal funding. He was pretty excited about the possibility of the award as he had downloaded the request for proposal (rfp), reviewed it to make sure his organization met the minimum requirements, and begun organizing his plan and team. He called me to inquire about hiring my company to guide him through the application process.
 
While we were on the phone, I reviewed the Federal Register Notice with him. As it turned out, because his company was for profit, he did not qualify. This is one common mistake people make as it relates to federal rfps, or any type of rfp. When I speak with people who are interested in responding to an rfp, my first step is to confirm that the client is actually eligible.
 
Requests for proposals can be as brief as one page and as long as one hundred pages. Despite length, these documents should not be feared. In most cases, all of your questions could be answered within the first 1-2 pages of the announcement. The first place you want to go is the Summary, or qualifications section. Read the details very carefully. Get a second opinion if you are unsure. By doing so, you will undoubtedly avoid wasting time and precious financial resources.