Deconstructing a Request for Proposal

From FedMarket.com

Proposal Writing
Deconstructing a Request for Proposal
By Richard White
May 19, 2005, 11:00

Open the RFP in Word (convert PDF RFPs to Word)

Read the RFP and cut and paste any RFP information that is meaningful into a blank Word document under the Proposal Chapter Headings listed below (or similar chapters):

Technical Approach
Management Plan
Corporate Experience
Personnel
Price/Business Proposal
Miscellaneous (doesn't fit anywhere else)
Proposal Production and Submittal

You will be creating a document that includes requirements, background material, and instructions. You can cut and paste any "Clauses" that you consider critical into a separate document for consideration later.

Read the RFP again and cut and paste any items you missed. When in doubt, move the information into your Word document; you can always drop it later.

Some information can be moved into more than one place. You then either write the "Response to the Requirement" in several places (ideally with a different slant) or make a decision later about where the single response should be placed in your proposal.

Make the RFP information red. Carry the red information with the outline until you write to it and then delete it.
Move any available information from your proposal library into the outline (yellow).
Move any customer information/sales notes into the outline (green).