In This Week's Newsletter:

• Opportunity Spotlight of the Week: Department of Army Chaplain Corp (DACH) Event Planning and Logistical Support Services

• Four To Follow: Get the lowdown on four interesting pursuits

• Transitioning Talent: Aaron Kronick

• AI Corner: Generative AI: The ROI of SMEs

• Pricing Insights: Pricing Process for a “Normal” 30-Day Proposal

• Capture Corner: Importance of MBE/WBE Utilization for SLED Proposals

Department of Army Chaplain Corp (DACH) Event Planning and Logistical Support Services

Contact Katie: [email protected]

On April 25, the Department of Army released a Sources Sought Notice, encouraging all interested businesses to respond. As part of this effort, the Army is looking for businesses to provide the Building Strong and Ready Teams Curriculum to educate soldiers and their families. Responses to this Sources Sought are due no later than May 16, 2025, at 12:00 PM CT. The estimated timeframe final RFP release on this $208M effort is June 2025, with an anticipated award date of December 2025. The effort is still in the market research phase, making the competition type undetermined. Reach out to Hinz Consulting for Capture, Proposal, and Price-to-Win support.

Four to Follow:

1. U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM, Technical Experimentation Event 25-3: Human Machine Teaming. On April 24, 2025, USSOCOM released an RFI to industry for qualified candidates interested in inclusion in future experimentation events coordinated by USSOCOM. These events will explore emerging technology solutions and revolutionary improvements in relevant technologies. Continue to monitor SAM.gov for updates.

2. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Administrative Support Services for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD ADMIN). DHS has a need for day-to-day office administrative support services such as Executive and Administrative Assistants, Receptionists, Facility personnel, and Security Support for the Chief of Staff and all directorates within CWMD. This $14M Full and Open/Unrestricted effort is anticipated for release on or around November 2025, with an estimated award timeframe of March 2026. Continue to monitor SAM.gov for further information.

3. Department of Air Force, Case Management Tracking Analysis and Review System Support Services (CMTARS). On April 22, 2025, the Contracting Office released a Draft PWS and RFI to GSA MAS holders under SIN 541511. Responses for this $5M effort are due May 6, 2025, by 12:00 PM ET. Competition type for this opportunity is currently undetermined. Continue to monitor eBUY for any modifications to the dates.

4. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Consolidated Program Support Service Program Planning and Control (CPSS PP&C II). On April 25, 2025, NASA provided the Virtual Industry Day slides and list of interested parties. Questions/comments on the Draft RFP and Industry Day slides are due by 2:00 PM, May 6, 2025. This $320M Small Business Set-Aside IDIQ is anticipated for release on or around June 6, 2025, with an estimated award timeframe of May 2026. Continue to monitor SAM.gov for more information. 

Transitioning Talent: Aaron Kronick

Do you need a great hire? Hinz is proud to showcase our Military Skillbridge Intern - Aaron Kronick. Aaron has just completed a career in the military and six months learning BD Analysis and Proposals with Hinz Professionals.

We are looking to place Aaron in the next 30 days. If you are building your team, please reach out to us at [email protected] or directly to Aaron at [email protected].

Generative AI: The ROI of SMEs

Contact Josh: [email protected]

Generative AI systems that leverage company documents offer significant return on investment (ROI) by optimizing the roles of subject matter experts (SMEs) within your organization. With AI tapping into your company's knowledge base, employees can swiftly access accurate and relevant information without consulting SMEs for every query. This streamlines workflows and allows SMEs to focus on core responsibilities such as billable work and functional delivery, maximizing productivity.

The impact on the proposal process is particularly noteworthy. Proposal development traditionally relies heavily on SME input to ensure accuracy. However, AI systems that synthesize information from existing documents drastically reduce the need for SME involvement. This accelerates proposal creation, enabling teams to respond to opportunities more swiftly and effectively. The time saved translates directly into cost savings, enhancing overall ROI.

Moreover, the strategic deployment of Generative AI fosters a more agile and responsive business model. By minimizing dependency on SMEs for routine information retrieval, companies can allocate their expert resources to high-value tasks that drive growth and innovation. This not only optimizes resource utilization but also empowers SMEs to contribute more significantly to the company's strategic objectives. In essence, adopting Generative AI systems is a transformative approach that delivers substantial ROI by improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, and enabling SMEs to focus on strategic, high-impact work.

Pricing Process for a “Normal” 30-Day Proposal

Contact Tom: [email protected]

Processes provide a uniform approach and ensure that key milestones are met, especially during a proposal cycle. In this discussion, I will highlight important steps during a typical 30-day proposal effort.

1. RFP Release (30-day turnaround)

2. Review/Read RFP: Duration 1 to 2 days. Before the kickoff meeting, the Proposal Manager  creates and distributes a compliance matrix and proposal schedule/calendar.

3. Kickoff Meeting: The Proposal Manager schedules a one- to two-hour meeting to assign proposal responsibilities.

4. Pricing Modeling/Drafting (Days 2-7):  Pricing drafts all pricing-related documents—internal model(s), customer-requested formats, cost/price volume, and schedules pricing review meetings (Draft, Interim, and Final, as needed). While Pricing owns the cost/price volume, Contracts, Finance, or HR may handle some sections; Pricing coordinates as needed. Also, Pricing compiles questions from reading/review of the initial solicitation/RFP/RFQ/RPP and sends them to the Proposal Manager. Before submission of questions to the customer, the Proposal Manager compiles all team questions, prepares the Q&A package, adjusts Q&A if needed, and sends the final Q&A package to the client.

5. Days 7-10: Pricing continues building the model, using Basis of Estimates (BOEs) or inputs from a single (1) technical proposal lead/manager or technical point of contact for pricing (Capture Lead). Inputs should include Labor, Travel, ODCs/Materials and Subcontractor rates.

6. Day 10: Pricing holds a draft review or informal discussion with the Capture Lead to discuss initial price results.

7. Days 11-12: Pricing updates the pricing model, finalizes subcontractor rates with Contracts, Subcontracts Administrator/Management, and incorporates Q&A results, if available. The Proposal Manager updates the compliance matrix as needed/required.

8. Days 13-15: Pricing continues refining and resolving subcontractor pricing issues via the Subcontracts Administrator/Manager. All pricing inputs should be completed at this stage.

9. Day 16: Pricing hosts an interim pricing review to address any outstanding issues.

10. Days 17-25: Pricing continues to refine proposal pricing based on any input changes from Capture Lead. At this point, the cost/price volume structure should be complete.

11. Day 26: Pricing holds a final pricing review. Attendees typically include Company Name CEO, President, VP of Corporate Growth, Practice Lead, Capture Lead, Pricing, Program Manager, Proposal Manager with invites to the COO and Director of Contracts.

12. Day 26 and 27: Pricing finalizes solicitation-specified formats and cost/pricing volume.

13. Day 28: Pricing submits response documents to the Proposal Manager for white glove (final quality control) review and package assembly.

14. Day 30: Final proposal submitted.

Occasional schedule slips may occur due to other events, but the process can be adjusted as needed.

Importance of MBE/WBE Utilization for SLED Proposals

Contact John: [email protected]

MBE/WBE utilization (Minority Business Enterprise/Women’s Business Enterprise) plays a critical role in winning State, Local, and Education (SLED) proposals. Building strategic MBE/WBE partnerships strengthens your position across the SLED landscape. Strong utilization drives key outcomes, including:

• Compliance: Many state, local and municipal governments require bidders to meet diversity participation goals throughout the contract duration or to satisfy service component requirements for state contract vehicles.

• Competitive Advantage: Strong MBE/WBE partnerships can differentiate your proposal, boost evaluation scores, and raise your chances of winning.

• Expanding Networks: Partnering with MBE/WBE firms broadens your network, opens opportunities for client engagement, identifies new bid opportunities, and strengthens community ties.

• Funding Eligibility: Some government contracts are tied to business diversity benchmarks; without MBE/WBE utilization, your organization may not qualify.

• Social & Economic Impact: A commitment to economic inclusion and support for underrepresented businesses strengthens the value case for your proposal.

A strong MBE/WBE inclusion strategy often translates into a higher chance of winning—and sustainable growth throughout the SLED market. 

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About Hinz Consulting

Hinz Consulting provides services across the full business development cycle:

• Proposal Consulting

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