Bid/No-Bid & Proposal Machine
Stop writing doomed proposals
Adds a go/no-go gate before you spend a week on a proposal, then generates a structured proposal pack: compliance matrix, scope assumptions, exclusions, fee breakdown by stage, and a final QA checklist.
INGREDIENTS
PROMPT
Create a skill called "Bid/No-Bid & Proposal Machine" for an architecture practice. When I receive an RFP or EOI, you should: 1. Run a bid/no-bid scorecard: project fit, team capacity, fee realism, schedule feasibility, and risk factors. Score each 1–10 and recommend go/no-go against a threshold of 7 2. If bidding: generate a compliance matrix keyed to the RFP requirements 3. Draft proposal narrative blocks: approach, team, schedule, and deliverables 4. Create a fee table broken down by stage, with scope assumptions, exclusions, and an additional services menu 5. Generate a final QA checklist: correct names, dates, attachments, and formatting My standard stages are: [list your phases]. Standard deliverables include program confirmation, concept options, and permit submission.
How It Works
Most architecture firms have a "say yes to everything" problem. This recipe
forces a quick bid/no-bid decision before you invest proposal time, then — if
you bid — generates a structured proposal package that covers compliance,
scope, fees, and quality checks. The goal is fewer proposals that win more.
What You Get
- Bid/no-bid scorecard: fit, capacity, fee realism, schedule feasibility, and risk — scored and tallied against a threshold
- Compliance matrix: keyed directly to the RFP requirements so nothing gets missed
- Proposal narrative blocks: approach, team, schedule, and deliverables — drafted from your inputs
- Fee table: broken down by stage with assumptions, exclusions, and an additional services menu
- Final QA checklist: names, dates, attachments, formatting — everything that needs a last look before submission
Setup Steps
- Set your bid/no-bid threshold score (e.g., 7/10 to proceed)
- Define your standard stages framework (RIBA Plan of Work, AIA phases, or your firm's custom phases)
- List your standard deliverables by phase (program confirmation, concept options, permit submission, etc.)
- When an RFP arrives, run the scorecard first — then generate the proposal pack if it clears
Tips
- The no-bid decision is the most valuable output — it saves weeks of effort on proposals you were unlikely to win
- Use the compliance matrix as a living checklist during proposal writing; check items off as you address them
- The fee table template is reusable across projects; customize the assumptions and exclusions each time
- For repeat clients requesting a fee revision, skip the bid/no-bid gate and go straight to the fee table