APMP-NCA May Speaker Series: Effective RFI Responses

Government agencies issue Requests for Information (RFIs) as part of their market research process prior to issuing an RFP. RFI’s can offer an opportunity to differentiate your company from the competition, especially in today’s environment where budgets are limited and competition is increasing.

While RFI responses can be great ways to establish relationships before the RFP hits, Government contractors often wonder whether to respond, how to respond, and what happens to their response once submitted. Three panelists, including two Government procurement professionals and one industry expert, will discuss strategies for how to respond effectively to obtain the outcome you want, whether it be the type of procurement (competitive, sole source, down-select), set-aside type, technical scope, and requirements for key personnel, past performance and certifications. The panel will provide two perspectives: what is the most effective RFI response strategy for contractors AND what does the Government want?

Some key takeaways from this event:

When to respond to RFIs
Strategies for responding effectively to ensure the outcome(s) you want
Why the Government issues RFIs
How the Government evaluates RFI responses
How to analyze RFIs to write the best response and differentiate your company from the competition

Speaker and Presenter Information

Olessia Smotrova-Taylor, AF.APMP, is the President/CEO of OST Global Solutions, Inc., a business development, capture, and proposal management company that helps businesses grow in the federal market. She is the President of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) National Capital Area (NCA) chapter, and a well-known speaker and author. Prior to founding OST, she won business for Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, and wrote for the Financial Times of London. Patrick Breen is the Acquisition Group Manager for the Civilian Sector of FEDSIM within the Office of Assisted Acquisition Services in GSA Federal Acquisition Service. As Acquisition Group Manager, Mr. Breen manages the performance of the group, assists with business development, provides oversight for acquisitions, and advises internal and external stakeholders, among other duties. Prior to becoming the Acquisition Group Manager, Mr. Breen worked for the Department of the Treasury for nine years. Lenise Lago serves as the Deputy Chief for Business Operations of the U.S. Forest Service, the largest agency within the USDA. In this position, Ms. Lago oversees acquisition, business operations, human resources, Civil Rights and other functions that impact every Forest Service employee. She previously served as the Deputy Regional Forester in the Pacific Northwest Region. Prior to that, Ms. Lago was the Forest Service Budget Director in DC. She prepared and presented agency budget requests to Congress, and worked closely with congressional staff on annual appropriations, emergency supplementals and the Recovery Act.