RFP Rundown: Don’t Take the L—Review the Tape
This RFP Rundown highlights the importance of reviewing proposal feedback after funding decisions are made. Many organizations miss opportunities to strengthen future submissions by not requesting scoring sheets or evaluation insights. The goal of RFP Rundown is to provide strategic funding insights that help organizations better understand how funding decisions are made, improve program readiness, and strengthen their ability to manage funded work with confidence.
FUNDING INSIGHTS
Rashaunda Williams
4/14/20261 min read
Many organizations pursue funding opportunities with strong proposals, thoughtful program design, and significant effort—yet still do not receive the award. The initial response is often disappointment. But in many cases, a “no” is not a failure—it’s information.
What This Means
Proposal decisions are not made on narrative alone. They reflect how well an organization demonstrates:
Program structure
Outcome clarity
Reporting readiness
Budget alignment
Overall execution capacity
Without access to evaluation feedback, it’s easy to assume a proposal fell short entirely—when in reality, many submissions score well and miss the award by only a few points.
Strategic Insight
One of the most overlooked steps in the funding process happens after awards are announced.
In many cases, organizations can request:
Scoring sheets
Evaluation rubrics
Reviewer feedback
In some instances, access to winning proposals
These requests are typically submitted within a defined window (often within 14 days) to:
The RFP point of contact
Or the agency’s public records office
This is not a complaint process. This is strategy.
Play in Action
In a recent competitive public funding opportunity, one organization we supported:
Scored well
Ranked in the top tier
Met the majority of the evaluation criteria
Lost points in specific, correctable areas
That’s not a missed opportunity—it’s a refinement opportunity.
With access to scoring insights, organizations can:
Strengthen areas where points were lost
Refine program outcomes and evaluation methods
Improve budget justification and alignment
Update proposal templates for future submissions
Why This Matters for Funded Work
For agencies and prime contractors, proposal review is not just about winning—it’s about ensuring confidence in delivery.
Strong proposals signal:
Readiness to implement
Ability to track and report outcomes
Alignment with compliance and funding requirements
Organizations that consistently review and refine their submissions are better positioned for long-term success in competitive funding environments.
Close
In a competitive funding landscape, guessing is not a strategy. Don’t just take the L. Review the tape.
Adjust the playbook. Strengthen your systems. That’s how organizations stay in the game and position themselves to win.
