Volume 53

Volume 53

In This Week’s Newsletter:

  • Opportunity Spotlight of the Week: MSOFS 2.0
  • Four To Follow: Get the lowdown on four interesting pursuits!
  • AI Corner: AI Implementation
  • Culture Corner: Self-Care in Proposals – A Job Necessity
  • Events Corner: Stay updated on industry events in the DMV area!

Bid_Spotlight

Maritime Special Operations Forces (MSOFS) 2.0

Contact Len: len.miller@hinzconsulting.com

The SOCOM contracting office has released the final solicitation for the Maritime Special Operations Forces (MSOFS) 2.0 project, valued at approximately $399 million. This opportunity is a Small Business Set-Aside/Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (SBSA/IDIQ) recompete. Proposals are due by December 5 at 9 AM EST, with questions due by November 13 at 9 AM EST. Although there are currently four incumbents, it is expected that five awards will be made by the end of February 2025. For proposal support on this effort, be sure to contact Hinz Consulting!

Four to Follow:

  1. Marketplace for the Acquisition of Professional Services (MAPS): The AMC Contracting Office released an updated Sources Sought on November 5 and Offerors are to provide feedback to the CO NLT 5pm EST on November 22.  This update includes Draft Sections L and M and Comment forms for Offerors to use in providing feedback.  Also included with this update is the MAPS Scorecard.  Offerors will need to analyze their scoring against the criteria to earn the points needed to get an award.  The Army expects to make 100 awards in total, 20 per each domain and there will be small business reserves in the domains.  The virtual and in-person Industry Day is still on for November 8 starting at 0930am. Expect to find out more information on this critical Army procurement then!!
  2. HHS One Professional Services Solution (HOPSS):  HHS NIH issued an Industry Day Notice and a Sources Sought on November 1.  Responses are due NLT 12pm ET by November 26.  The Industry Day  is scheduled for November 19 from 2pm until 3:15pm ET…you must register by 12pm ET November 15.  This recompete is currently estimated at $3.6B and is expected to remain a SBSA/IDIQ contract vehicle.
  3. Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation (AFMS3): It is currently estimated that the recompete for this $970M Full and Open/Unrestricted, Agency – IDIQ could occur as early as mid December 2024, however no official acquisition timeline has been announced.  A draft RFP was released back in August 2024.  
  4. DHS Architecture Development and Platform Technical Services (ADaPTS 2.0:  The DHS issued an updated on November 4 to give industry an update on the department’s planning and strategy for the ADaPTS 2.0 requirement.  They are tentatively planning on releasing the RFQ in Q2FY2025 for this estimated $450M BPA.

AI Implementation

Contact Josh: josh.thiel@hinzconsulting.com

Implementing Generative AI (Gen AI) software for proposal operations in a company is often a complex and multi-phase process. It can take anywhere from several months to over a year, depending on various factors such as the scope of the project, the complexity of the data, and the cloud or on-premise deployments. The process typically involves several key stages:

  1. Assessment and Planning: This initial phase includes identifying specific use cases, defining objectives, and assessing the current infrastructure. This can take a few weeks to a couple of months.
  2. Data Preparation: Collecting, cleaning, and organizing the necessary data is crucial for training the AI models. Depending on the volume and complexity of the data, this phase can take several weeks to several months.
  3. Model Development and Training: Developing and fine-tuning the generative AI models to meet the specific needs of the proposal operations. This phase can take a few months, especially if significant customization is required.
  4. Integration and Testing: Integrating the AI software with existing systems and conducting thorough testing to ensure it works as intended. This can take a few months.
  5. Deployment and Training: Rolling out the software across the organization and training employees to use it effectively. This phase can also take several weeks to a few months.
  6. Monitoring and Optimization: Continuously monitoring the performance of the AI system and making necessary adjustments to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. This is an ongoing process.

The timeline can vary, but a well-planned and executed implementation significantly enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of proposal operations in a company. If you have any specific concerns, the AI Center of Excellence is ready to share our experience in technology selection and implementation.

Self-Care in Proposals: A job necessity

In the high-pressure world of proposal management, self-care often takes a backseat to tight deadlines and demanding workloads. However, it is crucial that we prioritize wellness to both mental and physical health, which in turn enhances productivity and job satisfaction.

Effective self-care strategies can include setting clear boundaries between work and personal life, taking regular breaks to avoid burnout, and engaging in activities that promote relaxation and well-being. For proposal managers, this might mean scheduling time for exercise, hobbies, or simply unwinding with family and friends. Additionally, fostering a supportive work environment where team members feel valued and heard can significantly reduce stress levels.

Remember, taking care of yourself is not just beneficial for you but also for your team and the quality of your work. By incorporating self-care into your daily routine, you can navigate the challenges of proposal management with greater resilience and effectiveness.

Remember, the first time that the client sees your name should NOT be in the proposal! Check out these events online and in the DC Metro Area to network, learn, and be seen by your customers.

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