Should I bid this RFP? (small business)

Top picks

Protocol

1. 1

   Paste facts (5–8 min).

   Assemble only what you actually know. Mark gaps [MISSING] / [NEED FACT]. Do not invent rates, BATNA, legal outcomes, or benchmarks. This small-business go/no-go gate sits before rfp-section-from-evidence, which drafts a section after you decide to bid. No invented certifications, SOC 2, or win themes.

   Paths at a glance

   Path	Lean this way when (from your paste)
   A — Bid	Fit strong, timeline doable, evidence you already have covers must-haves, pursuit cost acceptable.
   B — Bid if Q&A clarifies X	Fit possible but named gaps block an honest response—only continue if Q&A resolves your listed X.
   C — No-bid + polite decline	Wired, out-of-scope, unwinnable timeline, or missing mandatory proof you cannot obtain.
   D — Partner / sub	You can cover a slice with a real partner as prime or sub—partner must be named or [MISSING partner].

2. 2

   Lock decision-tree rules (step 2).

   Paste the rules first so the model cannot mint certifications, win themes, or a forced bid.

   Copy-paste prompt

   Copy

   Help me run a BID / NO-BID RFP decision tree.
   Hard rules:
   - Use ONLY RFP facts and evidence I paste. Do not invent certifications, past performance, win themes, SOC 2, or competitor weaknesses.
   - Output FACTS vs [MISSING], scorecard, and 4 labeled paths—not a forced bid.
   - Paths: Path A Bid / Path B Bid if Q&A clarifies X / Path C No-bid + polite decline / Path D Partner/sub.
   - Optional decline or partner-intro wording ONLY after I choose a path.
   - Not legal advice on solicitation rules. I decide.
   Confirm in one sentence, then wait for my pack.

3. 3

   Fill pack (step 3a) and generate (step 3b).

   Paste the pack, then send the generate command. The model must not pick a path for you.

   Paste pack

   Copy

   RFP TITLE / BUYER (public): [ ]
   DUE DATE / PAGE LIMITS / FORMAT RULES: [ ]
   MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS (from RFP text): [ ]
   OUR FIT NOTES (capabilities we truly have): [ ]
   EVIDENCE WE ALREADY HAVE (case studies, certs—real only): [ ]
   EVIDENCE GAPS: [ ]
   WIN SIGNALS I ACTUALLY OBSERVED (incumbent, budget, relationships): [or NONE—do not invent]
   ESTIMATED PURSUIT HOURS / COST I ACCEPT: [or NEED FACT]
   PARTNERS I CAN ACTUALLY TEAM WITH: [or NONE]
   Q&A DEADLINE / QUESTIONS I WOULD ASK: [ ]

   After you send the filled pack, copy the Generate command in the next box and paste it into the SAME chat so the AI runs the decision tree / produces the output.

   Generate command — copy and send this next (same chat)

   Copy

   Build the decision tree now:
   1) Facts vs [MISSING]
   2) Scorecard table: Criterion | My fact | Lean (+/0/− or NEED FACT) | Note
   3) Path A Bid / Path B Bid if Q&A clarifies X / Path C No-bid + polite decline / Path D Partner-sub — for each: when it fits, what must be true from my pack, 3 owner-verify bullets
   4) Do NOT pick for me. Do not invent facts.

4. 4

   Choose a path (step 4); optional wording.

   Only after you pick a labeled path. Owner-verify: facts still match your pack; [MISSING] gaps filled or accepted; any sendable wording uses only terms you authorize.

   Path wording

   Copy

   I chose Path [A/B/C/D]. Draft short path-specific wording only:
   - B: Q&A questions listing my real gaps X
   - C: polite no-bid note
   - D: partner/sub outreach using partners I named
   No invented capabilities. Mark [NEED FACT].

5. 5

   Second-model check (step 5).

   In the other tool, paste the tree plus your pack:

   Second-model check

   Copy

   Here is a bid/no-bid tree from another assistant plus my pack.
   Find: (1) invented certs/win themes, (2) forced Bid when gaps were [MISSING], (3) partner named I didn't provide, (4) hostile decline tone.
   Return only corrections.

6. 6

   Human decide and act (step 6).

   Pick one path. Fill [NEED FACT] gaps from real sources. Send or implement yourself—AI drafts are not approvals, contracts, classifications, or tax elections. After Bid / conditional Bid clears, use the RFP-section how-to.

When not to

• Do not invent past performance, certifications, or win probability %.
• Procurement counsel owns protests, NDAs, and restricted solicitations.
• Skip if you have not read the RFP must-haves—skim first.
• Not a substitute for rfp-section-from-evidence after you decide to bid.