With technological advancement, the federal and state governments are now accepting contract proposals online. This has helped prospective suppliers quickly and easily submit their proposals and win contracts. Offering the contracts online is also an exceptional time-saving tool, though the process is not free from limitations and convenience issues. Here are some best practices to be followed while submitting contract proposals online.
Best Practices to be following while submitting contract proposals online
Thousands of Government contract proposals are sent daily, and there is a fair chance of them getting rejected. Thus, it is important to avoid common mistakes and follow these best practices while submitting proposals online.
Review all the documents properly:
This is perhaps the most common mistake that most suppliers make. It is important to review every page of the contract document to not miss even the addenda, which has essential FAQs and updates. Reviewing the document will clarify the changes in the contract closing date, contract terms, specifications, etc. The best practice is to check the solicitations notice thoroughly before submitting the project proposal.
Submit the contract proposal ahead of time:
The major yet common mistake that most suppliers make is, submitting the project proposal just before the closing time. Though it is convenient to submit contracts electronically, offering them at the last moment is not advisable as it might fall prey to technical issues. Closing dates are almost always final and are not extended by the contracting agency unless specified in the addendum.
Proofreading the bid proposal:
Reviewing and proofreading the bid proposal or the RFP response is mandatory before submitting it to the contracting agency. Some best practices to follow while submitting the contract proposal are ensuring that the price is checked twice and that the attached documents are checked and reviewed for accuracy. The seller should also ensure that the proposal is aligned with the expectations of the buyer and is well-structured.
Keep the proposal customer-centric:
The contract should address the recipient’s preferences, values, doubts, and pain points. One best practice for drafting a government contract proposal is to write the proposal with the potential client’s needs in mind. Even areas that generally don’t lend themselves to such personalization can be made customer-centric.
Submitting contract proposals online through MySetAside
My Set Aside is an effective and user-friendly web portal that offers new federal contract opportunities for small businesses. The portal will alert companies with Federal and State contract opportunities from its database that are tailor defined for small businesses.
On My Set Aside, the registered suppliers can submit contracts through its Electronic bid submission feature. Most buyers can accept RFP responses and requests through its online bid platform. The electronic bid submission feature at My Set Aside features a very easy-to-use interface, along with a helpful wizard to guide the process.
The electronic submission feature also allows prospective buyers to collect the responses securely. The contracts would be locked and cannot be opened by the buyers until the closing date and time, thus offering a fair and timely bidding process.
Though online bid submission is a very convenient way for the buyers and the suppliers to communicate, the following best practices will help both parties to enjoy a smooth and timely bidding process. Make sure to read all the relevant documents thoroughly, and make sure to read the FAQ section properly.
Submit the RFP response and the bid a couple of days before the deadline, and let the experts proofread the response and ensure it is a winning bid. Take advantage of the electronic proposal submission feature at MySetAside for business advantage.