The first step in preparing a proposal/bid is to read the solicitation from start to finish.  Often this first step is the reason small business owners don’t want to enter the government contracting arena.  The packages are large and seem to be full of too many pages with too many words!  To counter this information overload, the reader needs to understand how a solicitation package is put together.  With this knowledge comes the confidence to read and understand the solicitation and to know when key information is missing.

This webinar is an introduction to the various components of a solicitation as outlined using the formalized four-part Uniform Contract Format (UCF). Topics of discussion include:

• Types of solicitations (formal vs. informal, commercial buys, etc.)
• Solicitation components (need statement, rules, performance & compliance, instructions, and evaluation)
• Legal requirements – what are the rules (looking at clauses and provisions)
• Need statement – what is it that the government wants & how do they determine if that need has been met
• Capturing compliance requirements (creating a to-do list)
• Following proposal instructions
• Weighing the evaluation process
• Proposal components (Price, Technical, & Administrative)

Sample solicitations will be used in class as a learning tool. Handouts will be provided.