RFPs & proposals
Should you bid on that RFP? A 5-minute decision
Not every RFP is worth two hours of proposal writing. Before you start, run it through this quick bid / no-bid check so you spend your time on the ones you can actually win.
Chasing every RFP burns the time you should spend winning the right ones. Three quick reads — effort, odds, red flags — tell you whether to commit.
The bid / no-bid checklist
Effort: How many hours — site visit, complexity, format? Is the deadline realistic?
Win odds: Is there an incumbent defending it? Do you fit the scope and budget? Any relationship or referral in the door?
Red flags: Insurance/bonding you can't meet · net-60 payment · vague or shifting scope · "lowest price wins" with no other criteria.
Verdict: BID · SKIP · BID IF [the one condition that changes the answer].
Get the verdict from AI
Here's a landscaping RFP: [paste it]. Assess whether I should bid. Estimate the effort, my likely win odds, and any red flags, then give a one-word verdict — BID, SKIP, or BID IF (with the condition). Be honest if it's a long shot.
If it's a BID
Move straight into responding to the RFP and use the proposal template to draft it fast.
Stop guessing on bids
The $47 Starter Pack's bid/no-bid prompt gives you an effort estimate, win odds, red flags, and a clear verdict — plus nine more prompts for the rest of your weekly writing.
FAQ
When should I skip an RFP?
When there's a clear incumbent, the terms don't fit, or you can't meet a mandatory requirement.
How do I judge win odds?
Fit (scope, budget, location) plus any relationship or referral. No fit and no relationship usually means low odds.