Federal Proposal and Pricing Specialist
Location: Gaithersburg, MD (Hybrid – 3 days in office / 2 days remote)
Job Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $85,000 – $110,000 annually, depending on experience
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Federal Proposal & Pricing Specialist to lead the development of compliant, competitive, and winning proposals for U.S. Government contracts. This is a full lifecycle role — from pre-RFP shaping through submission and post-submittal debriefs — requiring deep expertise in proposal writing, pricing strategy, cost volume development, and FAR compliance.
After onboarding and relevant training, this position follows a hybrid schedule: 3 days in office, 2 days remote.
What You'll Do
Proposal Development & Management
- Lead end-to-end proposal development from pre-RFP through submission and debrief
- Analyze RFPs, RFQs, and RFIs; extract requirements from Sections L & M; build compliant response structures
- Develop proposal outlines, compliance matrices, and schedules
- Write, edit, and review technical, management, and past performance volumes
- Align content with agency mission, evaluation criteria, and win themes
Pricing & Cost Volume Development
- Develop pricing strategies aligned with competitive positioning and profitability goals
- Build detailed cost models including labor category mapping (GSA schedules), direct/indirect rates (fringe, overhead, G&A), and Basis of Estimate (BOE) narratives
- Ensure compliance with FAR, agency-specific pricing instructions, and cost realism expectations
- Support pricing reviews, what-if scenarios, and price-to-win analyses
Compliance & Quality Assurance
- Ensure full compliance with FAR, DFARS (as applicable), and solicitation requirements
- Lead color team reviews (Pink, Red, Gold) and incorporate feedback
- Maintain version control and proposal artifacts
Cross-Functional Coordination
- Collaborate with Capture Managers, SMEs, Finance, Contracts, and Leadership
- Coordinate with subcontractors and teaming partners on inputs and pricing contributions
- Support teaming agreements and data calls
Post-Submission
- Lead or support responses to Evaluation Notices (ENs)
- Participate in debrief analysis and lessons learned
Tools You'll Use
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Proposal tools: SharePoint, Loopio, RFPIO, GovWin
- Excel-based pricing and cost estimation models
- CRM platforms (Zoho, Salesforce)
What We're Looking For
Required:
- 5–10+ years of experience in federal proposal development and pricing
- Demonstrated success supporting or leading winning federal proposals
- Strong knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and proposal volume structures (Technical, Management, Past Performance, Cost)
- Experience developing cost volumes and pricing models for federal contracts
- Excellent writing, editing, and organizational skills
- Ability to manage multiple proposals under tight deadlines
Preferred:
- Experience with GSA Schedules, IDIQs, and GWACs (e.g., OASIS+, CIO-SP4, SEWP)
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, English, Public Administration, or related field
- Experience with price-to-win (PTW) analysis
- Knowledge of cost accounting principles and indirect rate structures
- APMP Certification (Foundation, Practitioner, or Professional)
Why Join Us?
If you're a proposal professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, takes pride in winning submissions, and wants to make a direct impact on federal contract growth — we'd love to hear from you.