Government Lab Increases Workload through Improved Proposal Development
Summary of Results
This national lab and their university partners have experienced:
• A significant increase in the ability to respond to government requests and solicitation
• Regular positive feedback from the government about the quality of the response
• Less hours spent by senior research scientists in preparing proposals—more focus on core research and development
• Increased workload to retain and grow its workforce over the next 3 years
• Expansion of internal competencies to perform many proposal functions organically with less reliance on Shipley
“Over the past 18 months with Shipley’s help we have responded to almost twice as many government requests than in previous years.
Our investment to help us become more responsive and competitive in achieving workload continues to pay big dividends.”
—Head Business Management, Government Programs
Client Challenge
A large national lab was faced with potential layoffs and significant workload decreases based on a more competitive environment within the government. This lab, in partnership with local universities, performs key research and development in many areas critical to national security and the advancement of technology.
New procurement and acquisition procedures made this lab’s approach to developing grant and research proposals obsolete and cumbersome.
The lab was challenged with:
- Lack of understanding and knowledge necessary to prepare competitive proposals
- Inability to convert scientific data and information into persuasive proposal content
- Inadequate proposal writing, management, and coordination competencies
- Steady decrease in workload at the facility and threat of layoffs
This government national lab solicited bids from professional services firms specializing in helping companies compete for and win government contracts and grants. Shipley was included in the pool of companies considered for this partnership.
Shipley Solution
The client required proposal support services that were cost-effective and flexible—a solution that could meet immediate and long-term needs to secure workload.
Shipley won the award to support this national lab and provides virtual and onsite resources, including:
- Proposal managers that support research and scientific subject matter experts in managing submissions to the government
- Proposal writers to convert highly technical information into persuasive messages to win more work
- Proposal coordinators to provide on-site and virtual proposal coordination throughout the proposal period
- Proposal graphics specialists to support the message within the proposal response
- A project manager to provide project and staffing oversight