Proposal & RFP Glossary
The terms AEC firms run into on every pursuit - defined in plain English, with how each one actually affects your proposal.
SOQ
A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is a document a firm submits in response to an RFQ or RFP to demonstrate it is qualified for a project. It presents the firm's relevant experience, key staff, past projects, and technical approach so an owner can shortlist or select qualified teams.
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SF330
Standard Form 330 (SF330) is the U.S. federal form used to collect architect-engineer (A-E) qualifications under the Brooks Act. Part I presents a team's qualifications for a specific contract; Part II is a general firm qualifications record. Agencies use it to evaluate and select A-E firms on qualifications before negotiating price.
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RFP
A Request for Proposal (RFP) is a solicitation in which an owner asks firms to submit detailed proposals describing how they would deliver a project and at what price. RFPs typically define scope, requirements, evaluation criteria and weights, submission format, and deadlines.
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RFQ
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is a solicitation asking firms to demonstrate they are qualified for a project, typically before submitting a detailed proposal or price. Owners use RFQs to shortlist qualified teams, most often through a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ).
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ITB
An Invitation to Bid (ITB), also called an Invitation for Bid (IFB), is a solicitation for clearly defined work - most often construction - where award goes to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder. Because scope is fixed, price is the primary selection factor.
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LOI
A Letter of Interest (LOI) is a concise document in which a firm expresses interest in a specific project or upcoming opportunity. Agencies sometimes request an LOI as a first screening step, or firms send one proactively to position for future work.
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Prequalification
Prequalification is the process by which an owner screens firms - for financial capacity, bonding, safety record, licensing, and relevant experience - before allowing them to bid or submit proposals. Firms that pass are added to an approved or prequalified list.
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Design-Build
Design-build is a project delivery method in which a single entity - the design-builder - delivers both design and construction under one contract. It contrasts with design-bid-build, where the owner contracts design and construction separately.
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NAICS Code
A NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) code is a six-digit code that classifies a business by its industry. In government contracting, each solicitation lists a NAICS code that determines the applicable small-business size standard and set-aside eligibility.
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Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation criteria are the specific factors an owner uses to score submissions, usually with assigned weights or point values (for example: experience 30%, key personnel 25%, approach 25%, price 20%). They define exactly how a winning proposal is chosen.
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QBS
Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) is a procurement method in which firms are chosen on demonstrated competence and qualifications rather than price. Common for architecture and engineering services, QBS ranks firms by their team and experience, then negotiates a fair fee with the most qualified firm - the process the federal Brooks Act mandates for A-E work.
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The Brooks Act
The Brooks Act (1972) is the federal law requiring that architecture and engineering (A-E) services be procured through Qualifications-Based Selection: agencies select the most qualified firm first, then negotiate a fair and reasonable price. It is implemented in FAR Part 36, and many states have adopted 'mini-Brooks' laws that mirror it.
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SOI
A Statement of Interest (SOI) is a short qualifications submission firms send when a public agency advertises professional services. It typically covers firm interest, relevant experience, and key staff so the agency can shortlist firms before requesting a fuller SOQ, interview, or fee proposal under Qualifications-Based Selection.
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Compliance Matrix
A compliance matrix is a checklist that maps every solicitation requirement - mandatory items, scored criteria, and submission rules - to the section of your response that addresses it. Proposal teams use it to prove coverage before submission and to catch gaps that would make a package nonresponsive.
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