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Federal Proposal Writing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Federal Proposal Specialist

Gaithersburg, MD · On-site +1

$85K - $110K/yr

Write, edit, and review technical, management, and past performance volumes * Ensure alignment with ... Strong knowledge of: * Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) * Proposal structures (Technical ...

Proposal Writer

Reston, VA · Remote

$100K - $120K/yr

At least 5 years of hands-on federal proposal writing experience * Experience supporting multiple proposals or RFIs at the same time * Comfortable drafting sections independently, with limited ...

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Proposal Writer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

Lead and support the development of proposal content for federal, state, local, or commercial ... Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills with attention to detail * Experience responding ...

Proposal Leadership & Writing * Lead end-to-end development of proposal volumes including Technical, Management, Past Performance, and Executive Summaries for competitive federal procurements

... of federal government experience. * 5+ years of technical writing and/or proposal writing ... experience required. * 3+ years of experience writing complex, highly technical proposals for ...

... writing, or federal proposal development. * Experience supporting proposals for U.S. federal agencies, preferably within DoD, civilian, or national security environments. * Strong ability to write ...

... writing, or federal proposal development. * Experience supporting proposals for U.S. federal agencies, preferably within DoD, civilian, or national security environments. * Strong ability to write ...

... federal government experience. 5+ years of technical writing and/or proposal writing experience ... required. 3+ years of experience writing complex, highly technical proposals for government-issued ...

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Federal Proposal Writing information

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$36K

$81.2K

$134K

How much do federal proposal writing jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for federal proposal writing in the United States is $81,248.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,500.00 and $90,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Federal Proposal Writer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Federal Proposal Writer, you need strong research, writing, and project management skills, often supported by experience with government contracting and a background in English, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with federal acquisition regulations (FAR), proposal management software like Deltek or Salesforce, and compliance documentation is typically required. Exceptional attention to detail, time management, and collaboration skills help candidates stand out in this deadline-driven role. These competencies ensure proposals are compelling, compliant, and submitted on time—crucial for winning government contracts.

What are some common challenges faced by federal proposal writers and how can they be addressed?

Federal proposal writers often encounter tight deadlines, complex compliance requirements, and the need to coordinate input from multiple departments. Managing these challenges requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication. Utilizing standardized templates, maintaining a compliance checklist, and scheduling regular meetings with subject matter experts can help streamline the process and ensure submissions meet all necessary guidelines.

What is federal proposal writing?

Federal proposal writing is the process of preparing and submitting detailed documents to government agencies in response to requests for proposals (RFPs) or other solicitations. This role involves understanding government requirements, outlining solutions, and demonstrating a company’s qualifications, pricing, and compliance. Effective federal proposal writers ensure that submissions are clear, persuasive, and adhere strictly to the guidelines set by the government. Their work is critical in helping organizations secure government contracts and funding.

What is the difference between Federal Proposal Writing vs Contract Specialist?

AspectFederal Proposal WritingContract Specialist
CredentialsProposal development certifications, writing skillsContract management certifications, legal knowledge
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, consulting firmsGovernment agencies, private sector companies
Industry UsageFederal contracting, grant proposalsContract administration, compliance

Federal Proposal Writers focus on creating compelling proposals to secure government contracts, emphasizing writing and strategic communication. Contract Specialists handle the administration, negotiation, and compliance of contracts post-award. While both roles work within government contracting, proposal writers are primarily involved in the bid process, whereas contract specialists manage ongoing contract execution.

More about Federal Proposal Writing jobs
What cities are hiring for Federal Proposal Writing jobs? Cities with the most Federal Proposal Writing job openings:
What states have the most Federal Proposal Writing jobs? States with the most job openings for Federal Proposal Writing jobs include:
Federal Proposal Specialist

Federal Proposal Specialist

MPF Federal

Gaithersburg, MD • On-site, Remote

$85K - $110K/yr

Other

Medical, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Federal Proposal Specialist to support the development of compliant, competitive, and winning proposals for U.S. Government contracts. This role is responsible for end-to-end proposal execution, including technical narrative development, pricing review, and coordination with cross-functional teams, to deliver high-quality, on-time submissions aligned with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) requirements.

This will be a hybrid position. After onboarding and relevant training, this person will be expected to be in the office 3 days a week and work remotely the other 2 days.

The ideal candidate has a strong track record of supporting or leading winning proposals across civilian and federal agencies, with deep expertise in proposal compliance, pricing models, and competitive positioning.

COMPENSATION: $85k - $110k annually depending on experience. Key ResponsibilitiesProposal Development & Management
  • Lead full lifecycle proposal development-from pre-RFP shaping through submission and post-submittal debriefs
  • Analyze solicitations (RFPs, RFQs, RFIs) to extract requirements from Sections L & M and translate into compliant response structures
  • Develop proposal outlines, compliance matrices, and schedules
  • Write, edit, and review technical, management, and past performance volumes
  • Ensure alignment with agency mission, evaluation criteria, and win themes
Pricing & Cost Volume Quality Assurance
  • Ensure pricing strategies aligned with competitive positioning and profitability goals
  • Review detailed cost models, including:
    • Labor categories and mapping to GSA schedules or contract requirements
    • Direct and indirect rates (fringe, overhead, G&A)
    • Basis of Estimate (BOE) narratives
  • Ensure compliance with FAR, agency-specific pricing instructions, and cost realism expectations
  • Support pricing reviews, "what-if" scenarios, and competitive price-to-win analyses
Compliance & Quality Assurance
  • Ensure proposals are fully compliant with FAR, DFARS (if applicable), and solicitation requirements
  • Lead color team reviews (Pink, Red, Gold) and incorporate feedback
  • Maintain version control and proposal artifacts
Cross-Functional Coordination
  • Collaborate with Capture Managers, SMEs, Finance, Contracts, and Leadership
  • Coordinate with subcontractors and teaming partners on inputs and pricing contributions
  • Support teaming agreements and data calls
Post-Submission Activities
  • Support or lead responses to Evaluation Notices (ENs)

Participate in debrief analysis and lessons learned

Tools & Systems
  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Proposal tools (e.g., SharePoint, Loopio, RFPIO, GovWin)
  • Pricing tools (Excel-based models, cost estimation tools)
  • CRM (zoho, salesforce)

Requirements

Required Qualifications
  •  5-10+ years of experience in federal proposal development
  • Demonstrated experience supporting or leading winning federal proposals
  • Strong knowledge of:
    • Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
    • Proposal structures (Technical, Management, Past Performance, Cost)
  • Experience reviewing cost volumes and pricing models for federal contracts
  • Excellent writing, editing, and organizational skills
  • Ability to manage multiple proposals under tight deadlines
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with GSA Schedules, IDIQs, GWACs (e.g., OASIS+, CIO-SP4, SEWP)
  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, English, Public Administration, or related field
  • Experience with price-to-win (PTW) analysis
  • APMP Certification (Foundation, Practitioner, or Professional)

Benefits

MPF Federal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. We offer a competitive compensation package including a competitive salary, medical benefits, PTO, holiday pay and more.