Crafting Winning Proposals: Strategies for Successful RFP Responses

**Formerly: Responding Successfully to a Request for Proposal**

Private sector companies and government organizations increasingly utilize Requests for Proposals (RFPs) in their procurement process, transitioning away from traditional bidding methods. Construction companies’ contract success now hinges on their adeptness in responding to these RFPs. Successfully addressing an RFP demands comprehensive knowledge, understanding, and a proposed solution that persuades the potential owner of your company’s suitability for the project. Your response must not just be compliant, it must be  compelling as well! 

This workshop is designed to equip contractors with the skills, strategies, and tools necessary to craft winning RFP submissions. 

 

The course is worth 3 Gold Seal Credits

Crafting Winning Proposals will help you:

  • Understand the distinctions between a Request for Quotation (RFQ) and the standard prequalification process in bidding, and gain insights on how to effectively respond to RFQs. 
  • Analyze your company’s SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) and discover strategies to leverage these in your RFP responses. 
  • Gain proficiency in analyzing the RFP to: 
    • Grasp the owner’s requirements for both the RFP response and the project.
    • Understand the components and deliverables outlined in the RFP. 
    • Conduct a GO- or NO-GO analysis to determine how your company aligns with the solution. 
  • Learn to prepare your written response effectively, adhering to RFP guidelines, including components such as the executive summary, resumes, project selection, project appreciation, lessons learned, and reasons why your company is the optimal choice. 
  • Discern the difference between mandatory and weighted criteria. 
  • Explore strategies for submitting RFIs (Request for Information), recognizing instances where it may be preferable not to pose certain questions. 

CCA Member $499 (+GST) Non-Member $649 (+GST)

March 18, 19 & 20, 2025 - 10:30am-2:00pm

3 Virtual 1/2 Day Sessions

April 15, 16 & 17, 2025 - 10:00am-1:30pm

3 Virtual 1/2 Day Sessions

May 13, 14 & 15, 2025 - 10:30am-2:00pm

3 Virtual 1/2 Day Sessions

Additional Details

Private sector companies and government organizations increasingly utilize Requests for Proposals (RFPs) in their procurement process, transitioning away from traditional bidding methods. Construction companies’ contract success now hinges on their adeptness in responding to these RFPs. Successfully addressing an RFP demands comprehensive knowledge, understanding, and a proposed solution that persuades the potential owner of your company’s suitability for the project. Your response must not just be compliant, it must be  compelling as well! 

This workshop is designed to equip contractors with the skills, strategies, and tools necessary to craft winning RFP submissions. 

Responding to an RFP requires more than just meeting the technical requirements; it demands a comprehensive understanding of client needs, strategic positioning, and persuasive communication. Throughout this workshop, we will delve into the intricacies of the RFP process, exploring best practices, industry insights, and practical techniques to enhance your response capabilities. 

Whether you’re a seasoned contractor or new to the bidding process, this workshop offers valuable insights and actionable strategies to elevate your RFP responses to the next level. From deciphering RFP requirements to developing compelling narratives, we’ll cover it all. 

Join us as we embark on a journey to master the art of responding to RFPs and unlock new opportunities for your contracting business. Let’s work together to position your company as the contractor of choice and secure your place as a leader in the industry. 

By employing a real RFP case study and crafting a response to it, participants will: 

  • Understand the distinctions between a Request for Quotation (RFQ) and the standard prequalification process in bidding, and gain insights on how to effectively respond to RFQs. 
  • Learn to pinpoint RFP opportunities within both public and private sectors. 
  • Analyze your company’s SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) and discover strategies to leverage these in your RFP responses. 
  • Gain proficiency in analyzing the RFP to: 
    • Grasp the owner’s requirements for both the RFP response and the project. 
    • Understand the components and deliverables outlined in the RFP. 
    • Conduct a GO- or NO-GO analysis to determine how your company aligns with the solution. 
  • Develop a winning strategy for crafting a compelling response and establishing a winning theme. 
  • Recognize the significance of understanding your competition. 
  • Learn to prepare your written response effectively, adhering to RFP guidelines, including components such as the executive summary, resumes, project selection, project appreciation, lessons learned, and reasons why your company is the optimal choice. 
  • Discover practical tips for writing responses. 
  • Discern the difference between mandatory and weighted criteria. 
  • Explore strategies for submitting RFIs (Request for Information), recognizing instances where it may be preferable not to pose certain questions. 
  • Master the completion of returnable schedules and understand the information sought within these schedules. 
  • Hone your skills in effectively crafting RFP responses. 

This workshop provides an exclusive comprehensive manual serving as a reference and guide throughout the sessions. Drawing upon over 40 years of accumulated knowledge from the construction industry, this manual proves invaluable. It encompasses practical how-to guides, checklists, and templates, serving as a cornerstone for implementing new RFP response processes and procedures in your office. 

Contractors, Project Managers, Estimators, Business Development Professionals, Proposal and Writers & Subcontractors

This course is offered in partnership with construction associations across Western Canada and you’ll be participating with a cohort with peers from throughout the country.

Lee Kelly M.A.A.T.O., P.GSC, is Founder and President of Constructing Minds Inc., a company dedicated to providing training to construction professionals. Lee knows construction because she has built it. With over 30 years of construction management/General Contracting experience under her belt she has extensive knowledge of construction practices, processes and procedures in all contract delivery formats. Lee is a long serving member on the National Gold Seal Committee, and the winner of the Construction Institute of Canada (TCIC) “Chancellor’s Award of Excellence.” Her enthusiasm for training makes her a highly informative, interactive, motivated and sought trainer.

  • A laptop or desktop computer to access the workshop and participate in the exercises. The computer must have microphone and speaker capability to participate.  It is highly suggested to use headphones plugged into the computer so that the audio connection with the workshop is clear and background noise is kept to a minimum. A camera is not required.
  • All participants will be required to download this link: Windows: www.adobe.com/go/ConnectShell11  OR for Mac: http://www.adobe.com/go/ConnectSetupMac . Please note: if you have previously downloaded Adobe Connect, please use this link to download the updated version. This link will also be provided in the “welcome” email sent to all participants.

Cancellation Policy:

Payment is non-refundable for cancellations made within 5 business days of the course, or non-attendance on the day. Complimentary substitution of another member of your company is accepted. If CCA has to postpone or cancel courses due to insufficient enrolment, CCA will refund the registration fee or, if possible, the attendee may choose to move to an identical session in the future. Unless otherwise stated, every person able to see, hear, and observe the virtual course sessions must be a paid participant. Non-compliance of this requirement will result in removal from course. Refunds will not be issued to students who are removed from the course for non-compliance of this requirement.

CANADA – ALBERTA JOB GRANT

The Canada-Alberta Job Grant is closed for applications until March 31, 2025. This closure is due to the federal government’s decision to cut funding delivered under the Canada-Alberta Labour Market Transfer Agreement.

Applications submitted prior to the closure will continue to be processed. You can read more about the reasons for this closure in the Minister’s Statement.

Did you know!!  Eligible employers can get government funding to help employees access training opportunities. The Canada-Alberta Job Grant will give you up to 2/3 of the registration fee (up to $10,000/employee/fiscal year) for training. Whether taking one course or a combination of courses, the total training must be a minimum of 21 hours and be completed within 52 weeks.

OVERVIEW

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