RFP

An RFP is the most common type of competitive solicitation in federal contracting. It outlines what the government needs, how proposals will be evaluated, the contract type, and all applicable terms and conditions. Proposals are evaluated on a combination of technical merit, past performance, and price.

RFPs are used for contracts above the Simplified Acquisition Threshold ($250,000) and follow FAR Part 15 (Contracting by Negotiation). The evaluation criteria are stated in the RFP and typically include technical approach, management plan, relevant experience, and cost/price.

Writing a winning RFP response requires careful compliance with every instruction in the solicitation. Common mistakes include failing to address all evaluation criteria, exceeding page limits, not providing required certifications, and submitting generic boilerplate instead of tailored responses.

The government may also issue draft RFPs for industry comment before releasing the final version. Engaging in this pre-solicitation phase — attending industry days, submitting RFI responses, and providing feedback on draft RFPs — can significantly improve your chances of winning.