Should I Hire an RFP Writer?

While you’re the expert in your business, learning a new craft like RFP writing takes time and resources away from your business. So, why not outsource writing winning responses to tender writing services or RFP writing experts? We break down where hiring an RFP writer can benefit your business, and you can decide if it’s…

Request for Information: When Agencies Need RFIs

Among the many “request for” documents organizations may issue or respond to is the Request for Information (RFI). It’s used when an agency has limited knowledge about the scope of work needed to fulfill a pending project. As part of an information-gathering process, agencies will issue the RFI first as it also helps them identify…

What Is a Letter of Intent to Bid?

A Letter of Intent to Bid isn’t always a required RFP document but may be one your organization considers implementing into your response process. You may be asking why you should bother with it if it isn’t required. After all, RFPs have enough requirements all on their own! So, let’s dig in. Imagine your business…

Does the Lowest Bid Win the Contract?

Pricing. We know it makes many of our customers nervous and can even make them second-guess their strategy when preparing their proposals. After all, it makes sense. The myth is out there that the lowest bid wins the contract. The truth, however, is that all decision-makers would like to award every contract to the lowest…

RFP Cover Letter: The Dos and Don’ts

You’re not alone if you feel like completing RFPs is a never-ending process. Time, research and planning all take an organized effort from your team. There are myriad documents to assemble and requirements to meet. But, just when you think you’re finally finished, you may realize that you’re forgetting that all-important ‘first impression’: your RFP…

Invitation for Bid: You Just Received an IFB, Now What?

What’s an Invitation for Bid (IFB)? For one, it’s a whole lot less intimidating than an RFP! So wipe that sweat off your brow! The Bid Lab is here to help you dig into what you need to know — and how you need to proceed next — in responding to IFBs. What Are Invitations…

Bid Response: 3 Common Mistakes When Submitting an RFP

A challenge businesses face when responding to RFPs is, well, the entire bid creation process. Technical writing, pricing research and assistance, editing, graphic design and content retention are all necessary tasks requiring substantial time and resources. If not managed properly from the start, they can lead to overlooked mistakes within the bid response. As bid…

What Are Open Records?

When responding to or following up on RFPs, it can be helpful to have access to publicly available information that pertains to the proposal. The Bid Lab has helped our clients readily obtain the relevant information by working to retrieve the document in scope. Sometimes these documents are publicly available and just difficult to locate….

Why Your Local Agency RFPs Matter

Each year, the federal government purchases approximately $400 billion in goods and services from the private sector. This is in addition to the state, county and local agency procurement. Together, selling to the government is a lucrative opportunity for business owners regardless of size, location or offering. As a small business, you too can vie for…

How to File a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request

Overview When our clients require information to improve their bids, The Bid Lab is able to provide the extensive research support they need. When this information is publicly available but not immediately accessible, The Bid Lab helps our clients navigate the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request process. It’s worth noting that FOIAs should be…