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Bid / no-bid scorecard

Answer 10 quick questions about one solicitation. Get a score out of 100, a clear bid or no-bid call, and what to fix first.

Examples:Strong fitBorderlineMissing a requirement

  1. Do you meet every mandatory requirement?Must-have

    Licenses, certifications, registrations (SAM.gov), bonding, insurance, security clearance, equipment.

  2. Are you eligible for the set-aside, or is the bid open to all?Must-have

    Small business, 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB: check your size under the bid’s NAICS code. Check your size.

  3. Have you done this kind of work before, at this size?

    Similar scope, value and complexity, with references you can name.

  4. Do you have the people and capacity to start on time?

    Key staff named in the bid, crews, equipment and cash flow for the first months.

  5. Do you know the buyer and what they really want?

    You talked to them before the solicitation, went to the site visit, or worked for them before.

  6. Can you beat the incumbent and the likely competitors?

    You know who has the work now and why the buyer would switch.

  7. Can you price it to win and still make money?

    Your fully burdened rates and costs fit the likely budget or the last award amount. Work out your rates.

  8. Is the place of performance workable?

    Travel, local labor, wage rates (Davis-Bacon or Service Contract Act) and site conditions.

  9. Is the contract size and length right for your company?

    Not so big that one job is most of your revenue; not so small it isn’t worth the proposal.

  10. Is there enough time to write a strong proposal?

    Days left before the due date, with time to answer every requirement and get quotes.

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How to use the bid / no-bid scorecard

  1. Read the solicitation firstNote the mandatory requirements, the set-aside, the NAICS code, the due date and the place of performance.
  2. Answer the 10 questions honestlyYes, Partly or No. “Partly” is fine; it shows what to fix.
  3. Act on the callBid, fix the weak spots first, or pass. Share the result link with your partner or team.

Good to know

Why a bid/no-bid check pays off

Every proposal costs days of work. Small contractors who pass on poor fits put more effort into the bids they can win.

The two knock-out questions

A missing mandatory requirement or a set-aside you don’t qualify for gets an offer rejected, so a No on either means no bid.

Questions

What is a bid/no-bid decision?

A short, honest check before you write a proposal: does this solicitation fit your company, can you win it, and can you deliver it at a profit? Proposals take days of work, so passing on poor fits leaves more time for bids you can win.

How is the score calculated?

Each question has a weight (fit, chance to win and ability to deliver). Yes counts the full weight, Partly half, No nothing; the weights add up to 100. 75 or more: bid. 50 to 74: bid only if you can fix the weak spots. Under 50: don’t bid.

Why do two questions decide on their own?

Missing a mandatory requirement or not being eligible for a set-aside gets an offer rejected however good it is. A No on either one means no bid, whatever the total.

When should I make the call?

As soon as you read the solicitation, and again before you start writing if something changes (an amendment, the questions and answers, the site visit). Making the call early saves the most time.

Can I share the scorecard with my team or a partner?

Yes. Your answers are in the page address, so “Copy link to this result” gives a link that opens the same scorecard. Nothing is stored on our side.

A guide to help you decide, not a prediction. Always read the full solicitation and its amendments on the official site before you bid. PublicBeam is independent and not affiliated with any agency.