Glossary

Proposal Management

The day-to-day mechanics of assembling a proposal: storyboards, style sheets, content management, past performance citations, and the production and quality-check steps a proposal goes through before submission. Written for proposal managers, writers, and coordinators running the process.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
All
Acquisition Planning
AI Fundamentals & AI for Proposals
Capture & Business Development
Contract Administration
Contract Types & Pricing
Contract Vehicles
Federal Agencies
Federal Procurement & Regulations
Personnel & Roles
Professional Associations
Proposal Management
Security & Compliance
Shipley Proposal Process
Small Business Programs
Solicitations
Action Caption
A short informative caption for a proposal graphic that highlights a feature or benefit beyond simple description.
Proposal Management
Basis of Estimate
Document explaining the rationale, assumptions, and methodology behind a cost estimate.
Proposal Management
Boilerplate
Generic reusable information about the company that serves as a starting point for proposal-specific content.
Proposal Management
Content Management
A system that organizes proposal content for easy retrieval and reuse.
Proposal Management
Data Call
Structured tool for collecting information from teammates, usually a form returned to the proposal manager.
Proposal Management
Features and Benefits
Features are what you offer; benefits are the customer advantages. Benefits are always about the customer.
Proposal Management
Focus Box / Callout Box
A design feature in proposal documents where key text is highlighted in a bordered box.
Proposal Management
Mother Graphic
An overall graphic that summarizes the entire proposal — a visual of how your company sees the work.
Proposal Management
Past Performance
An offeror's track record on current or past contracts — a key evaluation criterion.
Proposal Management
Past Performance Citation
A reference detailing contract specifics and relevance to the current bid.
Proposal Management
Production
Formatting and producing final proposal volumes: covers, TOC, cross-references, printing, and assembly.
Proposal Management
Proposal Team
All people supporting a proposal — PM, writers, artists, editors, reviewers, capture manager, plus contracts, pricing, and management.
Proposal Management
Storyboard / Content Plan
Planning tool where writers outline what they plan to write before drafting, incorporating solutions, graphics, and themes.
Proposal Management
Style Sheet
Standards for a particular proposal ensuring consistency in formatting, terminology, and voice.
Proposal Management
Team Table
Graphic in proposal volumes providing an overview of the proposed team — logos, certifications, and highlights.
Proposal Management
Technical Approach
An offeror's response to technical RFP requirements detailing how work will be performed.
Proposal Management
Transmittal Letter
Cover letter included with a proposal, addressed to the Contracting Officer.
Proposal Management
White Glove Check
Final quality inspection before proposal delivery — every page of every copy verified.
Proposal Management