In This Week’s Newsletter:
- AI Corner: Generative AI Software Vs. Editing Software
- Culture Corner: Give Proposal People a Break
- Opportunity Spotlight of the Week: New Modern Software Development Multiple Award IDIQ
- Competitive Intelligence & Pricing: When “No (Bid)” Really Means “Yes”
- Four To Follow: Get the lowdown on four interesting pursuits!
Generative AI Software Vs. Editing Software
Contact Josh: josh.thiel@hinzconsulting.com
Determining whether you need Generative AI (Gen AI) software or editing software depends on your specific requirements and goals. Let’s break it down:
- Generative AI (Gen AI) Software
- Purpose: Gen AI software leverages machine learning algorithms to create new content, generate code, or produce other creative outputs.
- Use Cases:
- Content Creation: Gen AI can generate text, images, and even videos.
- Search Assistant: Gen AI searches through your library to find relevant information to your topic.
- Advantages:
- Efficiency: Automates repetitive tasks.
- Cost-Effective: Reduces time to first draft.
- Example Tools: RohanRFP, ChatGPT, and Copilot.
- Editing Software
- Purpose: Editing software is used to modify existing content.
- Use Cases:
- Document Editing: Edits text, formatting, one voice, and layout.
- PowerPoint (PPT): Companies like PerfectIT are expanding their capabilities to include PPT documents.
- Advantages:
- Precision: Allows fine-tuning of existing content.
- Quality Enhancement: Improves textual elements.
- Collaboration: Enables multiple users to work on the same content.
- Example Tools: PerfectIt, Adobe Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Microsoft Word.
Consider your specific needs: if you want to create content from scratch or automate code generation, Gen AI software may be more suitable. If you need to modify existing content, editing software is the way to go. If you want to learn more about these technologies, attend APMP’s AI Online Conference: August 19-23, 2024.
Give Proposal People a Break
As most of our readers know, NASA SEWP was extended until 12:00pm EST on July 25th (see Amendment 3 on sam.gov). Phew! Most of the proposal peeps we know have been heads on this RFP for a while now and they need a minute to catch their breath. In order to get the most from your team, resist the urge to continue working through the holiday. Give them a break for best results! Here’s why:
- Fresh Perspective: Stepping away allows them to gain a fresh perspective. Upon returning, they see the proposal with new eyes, which can help identify areas for improvement or innovative solutions.
- Reduced Stress: Proposal writing can be intense and stressful. A break provides mental relief, reduces burnout, and allows them to recharge. Stress negatively impacts decision-making and creativity, so taking time off enhances overall quality of work.
- Document Refinement: The extension offers an opportunity to strategically refine the proposal. They can revisit their approach, review feedback, and adjust their strategy. Sometimes, a delay leads to better insights and more effective content.
- Additional Research: Extensions allow for additional research. They can explore case studies, gather more data, or analyze competitors’ proposals. This extra information strengthens the proposal.
Keep in mind that balance is key. While a restful moment is valuable, be sure to allocate enough time to meet the revised deadline. Here’s to a Happy 4th of July!
New Modern Software Development Multiple Award IDIQ
Contact Len: len.miller@hinzconsulting.com
This federal procurement opportunity “NEW MODERN SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT MULTIPLE AWARD IDIQ” has a status of Pre-RFP and a value of TBD, but in the RFI released on 5/23/2024, the Army’s ACC Aberdeen Proving Ground said they expect this M/A IDIQ to be in excess of $1B. The Army did release a modification on 6/26/2024 to ask some follow-up questions and industry’s responses are due NLT 7/1/2024 at 4pm ET. The Solicitation Date is estimated to be 08/2024, and the Award Date is estimated to be 11/2024. This is a new a requirement for a new MA/IDIQ for Modern Software Development for which task orders will be issued for software enablement efforts in support of Army systems. The competition type is Undetermined. The contract type is Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity. Please contact Hinz Consulting for your proposal support needs!
When “No (Bid)” Really Means “Yes”
Strategic pricing is crucial for making a “no-bid” decision on public sector procurements. Companies need to analyze competitive dynamics, internal costs, alignment with strategic goals, risks, opportunity costs, and ability to deliver. By carefully evaluating these factors, they can make informed no-bid decisions, ensuring profitability, strategic alignment, and maintaining quality and reputation.
Key Takeaways
- Competitive and Cost Analysis:
- Assessing competitor pricing and internal cost structures helps determine if a bid can be financially viable, preventing unsustainable price wars and protecting profit margins.
- Risk and Opportunity Cost Evaluation:
- Evaluating the risks and comparing potential returns against other opportunities ensures resources are allocated to opportunities that maximize profitability and strategic value.
- Strategic Alignment:
- Ensuring the opportunity aligns with the company’s strategic goals and current delivery capability helps maintain focus on projects that support long-term growth and operational stability.
Four to Follow:
- DOE CIO Business Operations Support Services 2 (CBOSS 2): The Solicitation is estimated for release this summer on this recompete of this $10B BPA with Accenture, however the spend to date is approximately $1.7B and the contract is set to expire end of August 2027, so there is some uncertainty on RFP release timing. Never too early to start your capture effort. Call Hinz Consulting for capture and support!
- Capabilities for Cyber Advancement BAA: This Air Force (AFRL) BAA is open through FY26 and they just issued a modification (Amendment 8) to update elements of the BAA. White Papers for FY26 funding are due NLT 4/5/2025 and all White Papers against this BAA are due NLT 12/1/2025, which at that time the BAA will be closed. There are currently 17 incumbents on this BAA. Call Hinz Consulting for your Proposal support!
- .Vertical Construction MATOC ESCO Unrestricted: The Contracting Office released a Pre-solicitation notice on SAM.gov on 6/25/2024 and the Solicitation is now expected to be released during July. It is also expected that a virtual pre-proposal conference will be hosted by the Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District about 2 weeks after the RFP is posted. Proposals are anticipated to be due within 30 days of RFP release on this $1.5B MA/IDIQ vehicle. Expect a Two-Phase Design-Build Selection Procedure with Best Value Trade Off. 5 contracts are expected to be awarded as fully open and the USACE expects to advertise for pools for an 8(a) set-aside and HUBZone set-aside in the future. Reach out to Hinz Consulting for support on this effort!
- DOS INL Office of Western Hemisphere Programs FA4 Operations Logistics and Facilities Support Services (INL WHP FA4): The recompete of this HUBZone set-aside/MA IDIQ vehicle is expected late summer / early fall with awards in the summer of 2025. The current estimate for this vehicle is $625M. If you need Proposal Support, Hinz Consulting will do you proud!
About Hinz Consulting
Hinz Consulting provides services across the full business development cycle:
- Proposal Consulting
- AI Services
- Strategic Pricing
- Training
- Capture
- Competitive Intelligence
- BD Transformation Consulting
- Process/Methodology Consulting
- Tools and Templates
- Production Services
- Small Business
