The growth of contract work has created an increasing
need for written proposals. In networking and discussions
with employers, you may be asked to consider taking on a
project on a contract basis. This usually means
submitting a proposal which puts in writing your concept
of the project and states your fees.
THREE TYPES OF PROPOSALS
| 1. |
Letter Confirming a Verbal
Agreement You and the company have discussed and
verbally agreed to proceed with a project. You
need to follow up with a letter that outlines
what was agreed to, to confirm the details of the
arrangement. "This letter confirms our
agreement to..."
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| 2. |
Solicited Proposal You submit a
written proposal in response to either a written
or verbal Request For Proposals (RFP) from a
company. Other contractors will probably send
proposals as well. The following content should
be included in your proposal:
- introductory
paragraph stating the background and need
for the project
- the
objectives of the project
- a
description of the work to be done
- a brief
outline of your expertise and
qualifications for the project
- when the
project will begin, deadlines for each
step, and when it will be completed
- expenses to
be paid by the company (if any)
- total fees
to be paid to you by the company
- your name
and contact information (use your own
letterhead, if you have it)
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The proposal, if
accepted, would then be followed by a separate written
contract. Sometimes the proposal becomes the contract
when both parties sign it.
| 3. |
Unsolicited
Proposal You may decide to submit an unsolicited
proposal if, in your discussions with employers,
you uncover a need or a challenge that a company
faces for which you can provide a solution. In
this way, you can create a work opportunity for
yourself. Your proposal can be written in the
form of a one or two page letter and should
include the following items:
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- a reference
to your previous discussions with
background information
- a statement
of the company's problem or need and the
results it desires
- your
suggestions for a course of action
- your
special qualifications (skills,
experience) for the action you propose
- when the
project can begin and when it will be
completed
- your fees
- an offer to
meet with the company to follow up on the
proposal. Tell them when you will contact
them for this purpose.
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