Proposal Support Coordinator: A Day In The Life
As the federal government and DoD continue to develop a culture of innovation by leveraging industry, more and more small businesses are realizing the value of competing within the SBIR/STTR program. For contracting officers and proposal evaluators, the goal is simple: provide innovative solutions to the warfighter as quickly as possible. Each year, the government periodically releases a number of solicitations to address either specific problem sets or open topics with broad interest ranges. Small businesses are then tasked with the challenge of submitting a proposal, accomplishing work, and looking ahead to next steps like Phase II or Phase III opportunities. Long Capture’s Government Contracts team helps small businesses every step along the way from opportunity discovery to government invoicing after winning a contract.
So, what exactly is a Proposal Support Coordinator (PSC)?
As a newly-hired PSC, figuring out what works and how I play a role in the company has been a big focus of mine. If you’re wondering what exactly a PSC does here at Long Capture, let me explain. PSCs work hand-in-hand with Capture Strategists to position small businesses for success in the SBIR/STTR programs. Summarizing our contributions to the big-picture effort: we prepare material, gather it, revise it, and help clients package their winning SBIR/STTR proposals.
What does a day in the life of PSC look like?
At Long Capture, the team is 100% remote. So, on any given day, there are a number of meetings with the Long Capture team, check-ins with clients, and informational webinars that I’ll attend from home. The incredible flexibility of the remote team means that I can take ownership of my schedule.
What near-term deadlines do I need to be aware of? What long-term opportunities are available for my clients? Can I create material or provide proposal documents for clients to help get them ahead of the pack and gain the competitive edge to win an award?
These are the kinds of questions that I’m constantly asking myself as I work throughout the day.
When I first started with Long Capture, there was a lot to learn–and there still is! But, with a supportive team and the tools to make quick learning and research within reach, anyone that’s willing to work hard, be part of a team within a fast-paced environment and work closely with passionate small business owners will thrive. Our Business Development Team, Capture Strategists, and PSCs will have your back. As a team, Long Capture has won over 304 contract awards worth more than $90M. Ask a question, and chances are they’ll have an answer. You don’t need to know everything, but you should always be ready to learn!
When I’m not working with clients, my partner Capture Strategist, or attending a meeting, I might be reading Cuppa Capture’s next book. Yes, Long Capture has a great and insightful book club! We’re always discussing new ideas and diverse topics while trying to figure out ways to become better team members and how to provide value to our clients. Book club is an opportunity for us to have that water cooler talk that we might miss from the remote work environment.
At the end of the day, I’ll review the company’s project dashboard and take note of anything I need to follow up on. This summer, we’re focused on finishing the 20.1 AFWERX Phase II cycle strong and lifting off into 20.3 in the fall. If you’re thinking about applying to the open PSC position, we’d love to have you on the team!
