Qualification
A bid/no-bid checklist before you write
An attractive contract is not automatically an eligible or practical contract. Make the decision before you invest in proposal writing.
Check eligibility first
SBA assigns size standards to NAICS codes. For small-business set-asides, the relevant standard considers the business and its affiliates. Check the standard for the particular contract rather than assuming that a business described as “small” qualifies for every opportunity.[1]
Use the official solicitation to identify any required certification, license, insurance, experience or place-of-performance restriction. Do not claim an eligibility requirement is met without supporting evidence.
Use an evidence-first decision sheet
The following is Bidoogle's suggested review process, not a government scoring system:
- Eligibility: Can you document every mandatory condition? Record the source and any unresolved question.
- Delivery: Do you have the people, equipment and capacity for the actual scope and schedule?
- Economics: Have you allowed for labor, materials, insurance, compliance work and payment timing?
- Evidence: Can you provide the exact references or past-performance evidence requested, without embellishment?
- Time: Is there enough time before questions close and before the response is due?
Choose a next step, not an invented score
Proceed when the key conditions are documented and delivery looks feasible. Clarify when a material requirement is uncertain and the question window is still open. Pass when a mandatory condition cannot be met or the delivery risk is unacceptable.
Next: keep the deadline and amendments under control.
Sources
Official sources checked October 5, 2026. Recheck current requirements before acting.