2. Proposals in general
Typical parts of a proposal
RFP Proposal Recommendation
Project Completion Report
Feasibility
3. Written offer to . . .
. . . perform work, do research, or solve problems
. . . another person has—who says, “How do I solve
this problem of ‘Should I convert the Accounting
Department from PC-compatible computers to
Mac?’”
. . . proposal writer has—who says, “I have this
problem of needing funding for my research project.”
4. Directed toward
Governmental agency or agencies
Agency has a need—Request for Proposal =
RFP
Foundation
Agency has a need: RFP
Company: Internal
Department has a need: RFP
5. Solicited: Responds to an RFP
Formal—complete with all the parts
(cover, title page, front and back matter)
Informal—typically an internal memo
Unsolicited
Formal
Informal
7. Your proposal will persuade the reader that
. . . you have a task analysis with reasonable
assignments
. . . and a realistic schedule with balanced work
loads
. . . you are qualified to work on the problem
. . . you have a risk management plan
. . . the schedule shows that you can complete
the project on time
8. Format
Front matter
Introduction
Body
I. Technical section
II. Management section
III. Cost section
Conclusion
Attachments (Appendix materials)
9. I. Technical elements—the technical
solution to the problem
II. Management—proving that you can do
what you say you will do
III. Cost—how much the solution will cost
10. Focus on client’s needs
Understand the client’s . . .
. . . limitations
. . . capabilities
Presents the problem(s)
Does client know of problem? Determines . . .
. . . amount of background
. . . technical detail
11. Technical details
Must convince client of . . .
. . . your understanding of the problem
. . . the soundness of the technical solution
Provides a plan (tasks and schedule) for solving
the problem
12. Contains
Project´s purpose/scope (limitations)
Methods/procedures (steps) and rationale
Resources (physical, personnel, literature,
etc.)
Task breakdown (what will be done) and
timetable (when will it be done)
13. Schedule
Steps and tasks to solve the problem
Time each task will take
Start and end dates; relation to other tasks,
duration and dependencies
Personnel working on the task
Currently available
Need to hire (justify)
15. The introduction of the Technical Proposal should
provide an overview of the entire project.
It should include a description of the proposed project,
including the details of the expected impact of the
completed project on clinical investigators and their
research team.
The role of end user community throughout the project,
as well as in the implementation and evaluation
components should be included.
16. This section of the Technical Proposal should provide a
well thought out and solid technical plan for applying
informatics and information technology to your
proposed project.
This section should include a description of the
methodology that will be used to complete the project,
specific plan for implementation, approach to inter-
group collaboration; and best practices applied.
17. This section of the Technical Proposal should include:
the approach to overall project management,
timelines, and deliverables.
This section should also include a staffing plan that
clearly demonstrates the appropriate allocation of
personnel who are specifically qualified to achieve the
goals described in the proposal and their
responsibilities for deliverables.
The approach and management of necessary
interdisciplinary team members and components
should be clearly articulated.
18. This section of the Technical Proposal should
document the qualifications of the Offeror and all
proposed subcontractor and collaborator staff.
The qualifications of the stated subcontractors and
collaborators should also be documented, including
relevant past experience.
19. This section should include the plan for and
commitment of the Offeror and all affiliated
organizations to wide distribution and sharing of
tools/results of the proposed project.
This should include clearly identifying and providing
information for obtaining/purchasing any required
components.
