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Should you hire an RFP writer?
Many organizations write their own proposals, and some do it well. Outside help earns its fee in a narrower set of circumstances, which are worth recognizing.
Published
When it makes sense
- No one in the organization owns proposals, so each one starts from nothing
- Recent bids were lost on compliance or presentation rather than on price or capability
- The deadline falls during your busiest period
- The contract is large enough that a stronger response is worth far more than its cost
- Several RFPs are due at the same time
When it may not
A short request for quotation decided on price alone rarely needs a writer. Neither does a renewal with a client who already knows your work well and has asked for a brief letter. Spend the fee where the written response will actually be scored.
What to look for in an RFP writer
- They read the entire solicitation, including attachments and amendments, before proposing a scope
- They build a compliance matrix and review the draft against it in a separate stage
- They write from your information and do not recycle another client's content
- They will sign a non-disclosure agreement and explain how your documents are kept
- They make no promise that you will win, since the award belongs to the evaluators
An outside writer or an internal hire
An organization that bids every week may justify a full-time proposal staff. One that bids a few times a year usually does better engaging an outside firm for the opportunities that matter most, and keeping internal effort for the subject matter only its own people know.
Working with us
Otter International Proposals is a concierge firm that takes a limited number of engagements at a time. If you are weighing an RFP now, a private consultation is the simplest way to find out whether we are the right fit.
Begin with a private consultation.
Tell us about the opportunity and your deadline. We review every inquiry personally.