Training / Modern Proposal Writing

Learn to increase evaluation scores with modern proposal writing

Guide federal evaluators to award you the win.

Find out how to modernize your proposal writing for improved quality and increased win rates. It’s not just what constitutes a great proposal – it’s how to plan and write compelling proposals to increase evaluation scores efficiently. Class exercises allow participants to practice these skills with quick feedback from our experienced instructor.

Training / Modern Proposal Writing

What you will learn

  • How the government evaluates proposals in order to write content that achieves high scores
  • Seven proven quality measures for analyzing proposal content
  • How to modernize content to grab and hold evaluator attention
  • How to plan content effectively using annotated outlines and content plans
  • How to gather information such as proof points for better persuasion
  • How to develop Strength Statements
  • How to use our SUPS method to better articulate your value proposition
  • How to develop titles and action captions for graphics that underscore key messages

Training / Modern Proposal Writing

Who should attend

  • Technical and Managerial professionals
  • Writers
  • Solution Architects
  • All Proposal professionals who write sections of proposals or lead proposal volumes

(Eligible for 12 APMP CEUs)

Training / Modern Proposal Writing

Class Price

  • 2023 Class Price $695 / 2024 Class Price $795 per student includes all training materials and handouts, and live instructor-led training. No discounts are available.

Seminar Schedule

ONLINE / Day 123 (~4 hours)

Planning to write a successful proposal

  • How the government evaluates your writing
  • Defining a great proposal
  • Applying Seven Quality Measures (Activity: Review and critique writing using the measures)
  • Ensuring compliance and responsiveness (Activity: Prepare an outline)
  • Gathering the information you need to write
  • Annotating outlines and using content plans
  • Conclusions and Q&A

ONLINE / Day 123 (~4 hours)

Writing compelling technical and management sections

  • Module 1 Recap
  • Impacts of digital distractions and telework
  • Making your proposal compelling with strength statements (Activity: Write a strength statement)
  • Writing compelling technical and management sections (Activity: Write using SUPS)
  • Writing compelling titles and action captions (Activity: Write a title and action caption)
  • Conclusions and Q&A

ONLINE / Day 123 (~4 hours)

Writing compelling resumes and past performance

  • Module 1–2 Recap
  • Writing resumes (Activity: Write a resume success story)
  • Writing past performance/relevancy content (Activity: Write a relevancy paragraph)
  • Writing tips to improve everyday content (Activity: Rewrite bad writing)
  • Lessons learned and Q&A
Modern Proposal Writing

About your Instructors

Vice President

Lisa Pafe

Vice President, CPP APMP Fellow, Capture Manager, Proposal Manager, Process Improvement Specialist, Trainer

Executive MS, Information Systems, The George Washington University MPP, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University BA, Political Science, Yale University

READ BIO

With more than 25 years of experience in business development, capture and proposal management, process improvement, and training, Lisa Pafe is a seasoned expert in her field. She holds multiple industry certifications. She is an APMP Fellow and holds APMP Professional-level certification (CPP APMP Fellow), a Project Management Institute (PMI) certified Project Management Professional (PMP), and a trained Internal Auditor for ISO 9001:2008. She has managed hundreds of winning government proposals, writes and speaks extensively, and is a recognized thought leader in the proposal industry.

Before joining Lohfeld Consulting, Lisa was Vice President of Corporate Development and Proposal Operations for Ace Info Solutions, Inc., Lisa was responsible for the company’s full opportunity life cycle, including positioning to win through branding, marketing, BD, strategic teaming arrangements, and capture and proposal management activities. Previously, she was President of Vision Consulting, Inc.; Vice President of Business Development for GovConnect, Inc.; and Director of Marketing Services for MAXIMUS, Inc.

Lisa was the 2016/2017 President of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) National Capital Area (NCA) Chapter and previously served as Vice President and Speaker Series Chair.

Vice President

Brenda Crist

Vice President, MPA, CPP APMP Fellow, Capture Manager, Proposal Manager, Technical Writer

BS, Public Administration, American University

MPA, Public Administration, American University

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Brenda Crist serves as a senior capture and proposal manager and develops strategic solutions for clients. She focuses on helping clients work with their staff and partners to create winning, well-written proposal solutions. She offers hands-on experience from leading and conducting systems and network management projects for many civilian and military clients.

Brenda Crist has more than 25 years’ experience providing capture, proposal, and program management support for companies serving the federal market. She supports companies by helping to qualify new business opportunities, conducting research, performing competitive analyses, providing capture support, managing proposals, and writing and reviewing proposals. Her areas of expertise include civilian IT, health, and scientific markets. Brenda is an experienced trainer focusing on business development for project managers, proposal writing and management, and APMP Foundation Level Certification.

Brenda carefully follows the latest procurements, their requirements, and industry best practices. Brenda served as the 2010 President and formerly as 2009 Vice President and Professional Day Chairperson for the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP), National Capital Area (NCA) Chapter. She serves as the 2017 APMP Chesapeake Chapter Vice Chairperson and currently serves as Programs Chair. She has been an active member of APMP-NCA since 2003, serving as Professional Day Chair of Publicity, Speakers Program, and Chairperson for the 2006, 2007, and 2008 events, respectively. Brenda is a frequent presenter at APMP Bid & Proposal Conferences and APMP-NCA Mid-Atlantic Proposal Conferences.

Brenda was inducted as an Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) Fellow in June 2011 and also received the Steven S. Myers Award for 2011 APMP Chapter Chair of the Year. She holds an MPA in Public Administration from American University and is Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) certified.

Upcoming Classes

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