Government Proposal Timelines
| Contract Type | Proposal Period | Internal Prep Time |
|---|---|---|
| Simple RFQ (under $250K) | 5-10 days | 2-5 days |
| GSA MAS Task Order | 5-15 days | 3-7 days |
| Mid-size RFP ($1M-$10M) | 30-45 days | 3-6 weeks |
| Large RFP ($10M-$100M) | 45-90 days | 6-12 weeks |
| Major Program ($100M+) | 90-180 days | 3-6 months |
45-Day RFP Timeline
- Day 1-3: RFP analysis, compliance matrix, go/no-go decision
- Day 4-10: Capture briefing, solution development, assignments
- Day 11-25: First draft — all volumes
- Day 26-30: Pink Team review and revisions
- Day 31-38: Second draft completion
- Day 39-42: Red Team review, pricing finalization
- Day 43-44: Gold Team review, production
- Day 45: Submission
What Slows Proposals Down
- Late go/no-go decisions
- Subject matter expert unavailability
- Pricing delays
- Revision loops without clear approval authority
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