In these days of tight budgets, the Government contracting cost volume takes a back seat. We face tight time frames, need to just get the pricing done at a price that is the lowest possible, and beyond that, just do only what is necessary. Often there is only enough budget to do the pricing and write the factual text. Sometimes, it is only about getting the pricing done and done quickly. The turnaround times are less than 30 days, with little time for quality control and making sure the numbers tie out.
Give the Pricing Proposal Budget Enough Time and Money
While we realize that budget constraints hit everyone these days where it hurts, the budget needed to do a good job in the Government contracting price volume may require you to examine just what you need to accomplish. If it takes a full tank of gas to accomplish all that is required of the price volume person then don’t fill the tank half full! The people doing the pricing need time to develop a sound approach to making the numbers the best they can be AND they need time to make sure it is all correct. Most importantly, the text they need to develop and adequately describe the basis of estimates and defend the reasonableness and soundness of the pricing takes time = adequate budget and adequate time (think earlier!).
Plan on a Suitable Proposal Budget
Usually, the Government contracting company decides they will do some of the work themselves. Then they find out they are not capable of all that is required or they do not have the expertise to carry out the pricing requirements for a polished product. That is when major surgery is needed and at the last minute. Good pricing strategists and pricing experts are magicians – making sense of a difficult task takes real talent. You do not want that to happen in the last days/weeks when critical reviews, excellent writing, and great winning strategies are needed. So plan on a suitable proposal budget and a sufficient amount of time to deliver a great price with or without the pricing help you need.
For more on this topic see: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/243790
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