The document discusses how to improve the probability of winning (Pwin) government proposals by measuring proposal quality. It identifies common areas where proposals can fail, such as poor organization, ineffective content presentation, low persuasiveness, improper language, and unattractive visuals. The document provides examples of weak language and graphics that should be avoided. It recommends using OST's proposal assessment and training courses to benchmark proposals and improve quality, persuasiveness, and Pwin.

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How to Improve
Your Government
Proposals’ Pwin:
Measure Your
Proposal Quality
www.ostglobalsolutions.com

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Proposal Areas
Where Things May
Go Wrong
Poor organization that
impedes ease of proposal
evaluation and prevents
you from getting the
maximum score
Ineffective content
presentation through
text, graphics, charts,
tables, and other
proposal elements
Low proposal
persuasiveness
Improper language and
voice
Unattractive visual
appearance
Poor accuracy

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Example 1: No Keyword Highlighting
Strengths and Key Points
Systems integration. The Acme Team has extensive systems integration, sensor, and command and control
(C2) technology expertise, particularly in security system design, which will enhance our technical oversight
of TO 80. While our site security designs will use the approved suite of PPS equipment, we will exercise our
technical capabilities to assess and validate the designs. We are now, at our own expense, in the process of
integrating several sensors from the approved list of equipment, including the Senstar-Stellar Repels
relocatable electrostatic sensor, the PULNiX Sensors PB_IN_100HF Photoelectric Beam Sensor, and the
Southwest Microwave MIL PAC 385C relocatable microwave sensor into our electronic sensor test bed. Our
test bed is a corporate resource used to test and evaluate sensors for border surveillance and facility
intrusion. It integrates a variety of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), Infrared (IR), radar, motion, heat, and
other sensor systems from U.S. and other commercial vendors to determine their degree of compatibility
with industry standard interfaces, and helps us compare performance under controlled conditions and
develop cost benefit evaluations. This test bed will be available to assist our systems engineers in any
troubleshooting needed to support Customer in this project. Technologies and standards that offer potential
to enhance security at the weapons storage site will be discussed as part of the TO 80 semi-annual
Implementation Working Group (IWG) meetings.
Acme’s Integrated Project System (IPS) which we use on all our CTS IDIQ TOs (see Section 3.5), will provide
the overarching structure for integrating and executing this project. IPS communicates “the way we do
business” to our project team and all subcontractors, and facilitates success through a defined set of
activities and deliverables for each project phase. We have tailored each step of our IPS project phases to
satisfy specific entrance and exit criteria within the host nation environment. Our jointly drafted Systems
Engineering Management Plan (SEMP) for TO 80 documents this approach and integrates the systems
engineering processes of both Acme and Host Nation Integrator. Figure A3-1 illustrates this approach; it
depicts specific tasks and formal reviews to be performed in each phase, and illustrates our melding of the
host nation and U.S. processes.

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Text Without
Emphasis is Boring
and Monotonous

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Example
2: Funky
Graphics

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What’s Wrong with the Graphic?
Distorted proportions in photos Clip Art
Mixing of raster and vector images

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Try Again

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Example 3: Poor Language
“Our Team’s seasoned instructional design team will advise
the government regarding the advantages and
disadvantages of each option based upon the stated
learning objectives, intended audience, and delivery
considerations.
Team Acme will leverage its vast experience to successfully
complete this project on time and within budget.
Many of our proposed Team members are recognized
thought leaders in a wide range of relevant topics.”

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Don’t Ask For a Leap
of Faith
Avoid these immeasurable or vague words such as:
• Vast
• Numerous
• Many
• Years of…
• Significant
• Experienced
• Seasoned

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Resources to Improve Your Pwin
 OST’s Proposal Assessment – we look at your
proposals along the 60 weighted parameters and
benchmark them against competition
 Writing Persuasive Federal Proposals course and all
of our other Bid & Proposal Academy classes
 GovCon Incubator for small government contractors
looking for a breakthrough
www.ostglobalsolutions.com
Olessia Smotrova: 240-246-5305
David Huff: 513-316-0993