“SMALLTOFEDS” By Ken Larson
“Unsolicited proposal opportunities generally arise as a result of observing or cultivating a requirement that the company could uniquely fulfill, but for which the government has yet to issue a formal solicitation”
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“Most enterprises in government contracting encounter the possibility of submitting an unsolicited proposal. These opportunities are normally large enough so they can’t be sold off a GSA schedule or an existing contract delivery order, and do not fall under FAR Part 12, ‘Commercial Contracting.’
CHALLENGES AND STRATEGY
Since your product or service is not on the funding docket with the agency it does not have a funding I.D. Your job is to get the technical and project personnel enthused enough about it to carve out a niche in their program area and support a funding request for it. They do so by to obtaining a solicitation I.D; money and authorization to buy from you.The key to achieving the above is a good presentation revolving around your capability statement but supplemented by a pitch that should emphasize specifically how you understand the agency mission and that your offerings could further it.Your objective should be to submit a hard hitting summary with a proposal in letter form, protected with the standard proprietary markings, through the contracting officer with whom you have already had discussions to the technical lead in the agency and request a meeting to make the full pitch.
WORK YOUR PROPOSAL IN STAGES
The following link is the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) guidance on unsolicited proposals: FAR Guidance – Unsolicited Proposals
Be advised that you need to assert your rights in technical data and software on anything you give them that is product oriented because you have made an investment in it. When they start putting money into its further development you find them pressuring you for a deal on licensing and free use of it in exchange for funding and orders for services. That is the normal course of events and it can be managed.Another approach is to carefully locate a platform provider that could use your product or services and team with them on a larger scale, bundled program that may be going to formal solicitation.In either of the above instances, carefully protect your idea using the tips in the following article: Protecting Intellectual Property
You will note that the FAR guidance specifies that cost and pricing data must be submitted so the proposal may be evaluated. Naturally you must provide that ultimately, but it is recommended you do not do so with your initial proposal submission. Simply state you will be pleased discuss with the agency the scope in terms of types and quantities of product and services, after which you will price the result of their input for planning purposes, pending a formal solicitation with funding commitment.
If the agency or a prime gets enthused, they will ask for a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimate for planning and funding purposes on what your product or services may cost. Be careful to make it conservative because those things get cast in concrete and caveat any ROM with a written statement that your ROM is not a formal commitment to a contract and that you will be pleased to commit with a formal proposal from the government through a duly authorized contracting officer under a funded solicitation. I have had clients that have even been requested by agencies to write a statement of work for such a solicitation.
The government fiscal year is a key driver in terms of available funding and getting it earmarked. Keep in mind funding for a program using your idea or a platform using it must fall within a funding cycle that begins 1 October, picks up heavily in July and August and must conclude in September.
CONCLUSION
Success in unsolicited proposals is a process:
1. An initial unsolicited proposal submission after focused marketing is the gateway
2. A strong presentation to the customer in person is key.
3. Rough order of magnitude (ROM) pricing permits planning by the customer
4. A funded solicitation is a green light for a firm contract proposal
.5 A Formal proposal submission under a funded solicitation, committing to negotiable price, schedule and delivery terms wins the contract.
In addition to the articles linked above, please review the following articles for further guidance”:
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