How to find the total awarded amount on a federal contract
How to read the total awarded amount in USAspending and FPDS, which field to trust for past performance, and the traps that inflate or deflate it.
Blog
Guides and playbooks for government proposal teams, from writing your first federal response to running a 500-page IDIQ recompete.
Best Loopio alternatives for federal proposals
Looking for Loopio alternatives? See federal-focused options, real pricing ranges, a buyer checklist with FAR and CUI needs, and a worked RFP example.
RFPIO alternatives for federal contractors
Find RFPIO alternatives for federal contractors, with a federal-first checklist, a worked Section L and M example, and real FAR-cited buying criteria.
GovWin IQ pricing: real ranges, terms, and ROI math
What GovWin IQ really costs: seat and module ranges, contract terms, renewal notice windows, discounts, and ROI math for small federal contractors.
How to Read a Federal RFP Section L and M
Practical steps to read Section L and M fast. Map instructions to evaluation, avoid traps, and build a compliance matrix that aligns with FAR 15.304.
The Bid/No-Bid Decision in Government Contracting
A bid/no-bid decision is the go/no-go call on whether to pursue an opportunity. Here's a practical framework for making it quickly and protecting your win rate.
Pink, Red, and Gold Team Reviews Explained
Color-team reviews are the structured review cycles that turn a compliant government proposal into a winning one. Here's what pink, red, and gold teams each do.
How to Respond to a Government RFP (Step by Step)
A practical process for responding to a government RFP, from solicitation intake and compliance matrix through drafting, reviews, and submission.
How to Write a Government Proposal (The Complete Guide)
A step-by-step guide to writing a winning government proposal, from bid/no-bid and compliance matrix through drafting, reviews, and submission.
How to Fill Out an SF330 Form (Parts I and II)
A step-by-step guide to the SF330 architect-engineer qualifications form, what goes in Parts I and II, and how to avoid common mistakes.
What Is a Compliance Matrix (and How to Build One)?
A compliance matrix maps every requirement in a government RFP to where your proposal answers it, what it includes, why it matters, and how to build one fast.
Why Do Government Proposals Get Rejected?
Most government proposals are rejected for compliance failures, not weak ideas. The most common reasons proposals get thrown out, and how to avoid them.
What Are Section L and Section M in a Government RFP?
A plain-English explainer of Section L (instructions) and Section M (evaluation factors) in a government RFP, and why they decide who wins.
What Is RFP Shredding? (And Why It Wins Proposals)
RFP shredding breaks a government solicitation into every requirement so nothing is missed, what it means and why it's step one of a compliant response.