Contractors bid for jobs. They have to outline what they’ll do, how long it’ll take and at what cost. Those estimates must be accurate or it can lead to a failed project or cut into the contractor’s profit margin. Using bid proposal templates is one way to ensure the bids are thorough and complete, covering all bases.
ProjectManager has over 100 free project management templates for Excel and Word that can be downloaded now. There are over a dozen templates that can help during the construction bidding process. They are listed and linked below to help land work that serves the contractor and their client.
However, templates are static documents. Project management software is better at forecasting the details of the project correctly and then executing that project to ensure it’s delivered on time and within budget. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software that has robust Gantt charts that can help estimate schedules, costs and more. Once the bid is won, our Gantt charts go the extra mile, linking all four types of task deliverables to avoid cost overruns due to delays, identify essential tasks by filtering for the critical path and set a baseline to capture the plan and compare it against actual progress and costs. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.
Why Use a Bid Proposal Template?
While a bid proposal template has its limitations, it provides consistency in format and style to reinforce brand identity. Their pre-structured framework is time-efficient and ensures comprehensive coverage. The consistent format also streamlines the review process while improving the overall quality of the proposal.
Its structure also provides a clear and organized way to present services, qualifications and pricing. This makes it easier for clients to evaluate the offer. A well-crafted bid proposal template will give contractors a competitive edge by showcasing the strengths and the value proposition of the bid.
This provides the contractor with an opportunity to persuade the potential client by making a compelling case for why they’re the best choice, highlighting past successes, relevant experience and client testimonials. The bid proposal template, if approved by the client, can serve as a reference later to clarify terms and conditions when a formal contract is written up.
Best Free Bid Proposal Templates
The following are a variety of bid proposal templates that address different types of projects and industries. There are more generic ones and others specific to a certain type of work. Also included are free templates that can help prepare the big proposal, such as budget, scope of work and executive summary, which are all part of the larger proposal. Download these free bid proposal templates for a better chance of getting that job.
1. Bid Proposal Template
This free bid proposal template for Word can be used for any job. Once downloaded, users can add or subtract from this customizable template to better reflect the work they’re bidding for. This formal response to an opportunity for a working relationship with a potential client will showcase the contractor’s qualifications and outline their approach.
This bid proposal template can be used by construction companies, consulting firms, freelancers, suppliers and vendors, nonprofits and government agencies. It covers the whole gamut, from the executive summary, scope of work and company information to exclusions, terms and conditions and acceptance of proposal.
2. Project Proposal Template
Another versatile document is this free project proposal template for Word. It can be customized as a proposal for a construction, IT, marketing, engineering or business project. The template delivers the rationale for the project by formally communicating to sponsors or a boss the good reasons to initiate the project to solve a specific problem or exploit a business opportunity.
Like any proposal, it begins with an executive summary to introduce the proposal and then goes into the process, solution, deliverables, duration and more to flesh out the project. It’s used to kick off a new project, which is why it’s so in-depth. It’s a vehicle that clearly defines the project to get approval from the sponsor and convince them of its value.
3. Budget Proposal Template
One of the most important parts of a bid proposal template is the budget forecast. Some clients, sponsors and bosses will only look at the bottom line and if that is too much, no amount of convincing will get them to approve the value of the proposition. This free budget proposal template for Excel is a great tool for forecasts to show the work is within means.
This budget proposal template lists all the tasks that lead to the completion of the project or service, including subtasks. Then the costs related to the resources needed to deliver those tasks are estimated, from labor and materials to other costs, such as travel, equipment, etc. The budgeted costs are added up and there’s a column to capture the actual costs to track the cost variance when executing the project to help stay on budget.
4. Service Proposal Template
Another kind of bid proposal template is this free service proposal template for Word. It’s part of the sales process where the service provider and customer define the outline for the service being offered. They can figure out the details here before settling on a legally binding contract. This communication channel brings both parties to an agreement, whether delivering the service provider’s value proposition or establishing the expectations of the potential client.
The bid proposal template is broken down into sections. It begins with an executive summary to provide an overview of the main points and movies into the service provider’s pitch, scope of work, cost forecast, timeline and more. All the details of the agreement are worked out beforehand so if the two parties contract together there will be no misunderstandings about the work to be done, when it should be completed and how much it will cost.
5. Construction Proposal Template
General contractors will want to download this construction proposal template for Word. It’s part of the bidding process and includes detailed project information, including quotes from suppliers, which provide an estimate of the overall cost for the proposed project. Construction firms can streamline the process of getting work by using this bid proposal template, which acts as a sales call to a motivated target.
As with any bid proposal template, this one includes sections that define the scope of work, financial information and the project schedule, to name only a few. By outlining all of the project details accurately, both parties can come to an agreement and avoid any misunderstandings after the job has been contracted.
6. Event Proposal Template
Not all bid proposal templates are the same, of course. Some proposals target specific projects or, in this case, events. The free event proposal template for Word is perfect for an event planner, who are project managers, even if they aren’t often thought of as one. This document covers the details of a coming event, whether a conference, trade show, exposition, wedding, fundraiser, etc.
This bid proposal is similar to the other free templates on this list. It’s broken down into sections. Some of those sections will be familiar, such as the event schedule and cost estimation. Others are unique to event planning, such as being able to define the target audience and coming up with event marketing and promotions. But the goal is the same, landing that job because one’s firm is the best to achieve the goals and objectives for a reasonable price and on the client’s deadline.
7. Request for Proposal Template
A request for proposal (RFP) is the document that contractors respond to from project owners. It is sent to solicit offers that meet the project requirements so project owners can select the right contractor for the job. Therefore, this free RFP template Word isn’t a bid proposal template, but a document that will generate bids from contractors who are interested in being selected for the job.
Project owners send out the RFP when they aren’t sure of who they want to hire for the job and are looking to shop around for the right contractor or vendor. This business document basically announces a project and is used across a number of different industries from construction to government projects. The RFP will inform the bid proposal template as it outlines what the project owner is looking for.
8. Request for Information Template
A request for information (RFI) is used to formulate information on products, goods and services from existing or prospective suppliers. It’s sent from the customer to the supplier. It can range from general questions before a product is purchased to more specifically geared toward products already bought. This is like a bid proposal template for customers looking to work with suppliers.
This template solicits information in a formal and structured way primarily in the construction industry. It identifies the requirements of the customer and also can get answers to specific questions from the supplier. To inform the customer about suppliers serving the market, which helps them make a decision as to which supplier is best suited to contract with the customer and deliver what they need when they need it.
9. Scope of Work Template
Though not a bid proposal template, the scope of work is a key element to any bid proposal. Use this free scope of work template for Word to identify everything the project will and won’t cover. This includes project deliverables, a project timeline, project milestones and more. This means when bidding for the project, contractors won’t neglect any vital part that will impact the budget or schedule forecast.
The scope of work sets clear expectations and, if the bid is approved, will guide the project team through the execution of the project. It is used by project managers, contractors, project owners and project management offices (PMOs) to deliver the project and meet its requirements. It’s also an important document to prevent scope creep, which is when more tasks are added to the project during execution, and that can lead to cost overruns and schedule delays.
10. Business Case
A business case is often a key component of a bid proposal template. It provides the rationale and justification for why a company should be awarded a contract. It outlines the benefits, costs and risks associated with the proposed project. This powerful tool can convince a client or project owner that the bidding contractor is the best fit for the job.
This free business case template for Word is laid out to make it easier to deliver the information to prove that one’s contracting firm is the right choice to be awarded the job. It begins with an executive summary, offers a mission statement and then explains why the contractor is the best for the job. It also shows that the project aligns with the overall strategy of the organization seeking a contractor.
11. Executive Summary Template
We’ve talked about executive summaries a lot. That’s because they’re an essential part of a bid proposal template. The executive summary is like the elevator pitch, short and sweet. It’s when you want to grab someone’s attention and win them over so they spend the time to look over the more detailed part of the proposal. But not everyone is familiar with how to put together a persuasive executive summary.
This free executive summary template for Word lays out the basic structure to help. It lists topics that should be covered, from the company’s role and strength to the problem being addressed and the unique solution being offered. Use this template to get an executive summary into shape so that when it’s added to the bid proposal template it’ll have maximum impact and help sell the company to the client.
12. Estimate Template
The importance of accurate estimates can’t be overstated when filling out a bid proposal template. If the cost forecast is off, that difference will come out of the contractor’s profit margin. Using this free estimate template for Excel ensures that all tasks and associated costs are captured to avoid surprises when executing the work.
The template is broken down into project phases. All the tasks are listed in one column. There’s a column to capture labor and material costs. Each row with a task and its associated costs are added up. Then the total column is added at the end to forecast how much the project will cost.
13. Project Timeline Template
Another essential estimate for any bid proposal template is the schedule. If the schedule is not forecasted accurately, the client will be upset and the contractor will end up spending more than they expected. Everyone loses. But with this free project timeline template, all the tasks and their duration are accounted for making the schedule more accurate.
This free template is divided into two sections. The left side is a spreadsheet. It’s where all the project tasks are listed, including their start and end dates. On the right side is a timeline that is automatically populated as the spreadsheet is filled out. It shows the entire project in one place, each task bar is the length of its estimated duration and they can be color-coded to make it easier to read the template.
14. Budget Template
Another way to forecast project costs for a bid proposal template is by creating a budget for the project. This free budget template for Excel contains the financial details to create an accurate budget, including all resources, both human and nonhuman. If the bid is awarded to the contractor, they can also use this template to track the budget against actual spending to help them stay on budget.
When estimating a budget, the first step is to list all the tasks and subtasks needed to deliver that project. That is the first column in this template. It’s followed by labor, which is broken into three columns: planned, actual hours and the rate per hour. Next is materials, divided into units and cost per unit. There are also columns for travel, equipment and other miscellaneous expenses.
15. Risk Register Template
Another common part of a bid proposal template is a risk register. It’s a list of risks and opportunities that might occur throughout the project’s life cycle. It’s part of a bid proposal as it identifies areas of uncertainty, helps to allocate resources and informs the negotiating strategy.
Download this free risk register template for Excel to list those uncertainties that might crop up in the project and the potential impact they’ll have if they do. Then a response can be defined to mitigate the risk and the people on the project team who are responsible for dealing with it. There’s also a column to note the risk level from high to low, which allows the project team to prioritize which risk is dealt with and when.
16. Vision Statement Template
A vision statement is a concise description of an organization’s long-term goals and aspirations. While not a standalone section in a bid proposal template, it still can be incorporated into the company information to provide an overview of the contractor’s business objectives. It can show how the job being bid on will contribute to the contractor’s long-term aspirations, which makes it a better fit than other companies vying for the same work.
Use this free vision statement template for Word to help define the purpose of a business and what it hopes to achieve in the future. The template is divided into three parts. The first are the steps to developing a vision statement. The next are questions that come out of each of those steps. The final column is where users put their answers to these questions, which ends in writing a vision statement.
ProjectManager Helps With Bid Proposals and Beyond
A bid proposal template is okay, but project management software is better. Templates are static documents that have to be manually updated. They’re not collaborative. If the job is awarded to the contractor, templates aren’t the most efficient way to execute and manage that project.
Why go to the trouble of filling out templates only to have to move on to another tool to more efficiently deliver the project when project management software can both help with the bidding process and manage the project? ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software that has the tools general contractors need to create and manage one or more bid proposals and then seamlessly move into managing those projects that they win.
Plan Proposals and Execute Projects
Most contractors are sending out multiple bid proposals at one time. Our multiple project views allow them to manage the bid proposal process on kanban boards. The customizable columns of the kanban board can reflect the bid process and each kanban card can be a unique bid. Our software has unlimited file storage, which means all the related documentation can be attached to those bids. Schedules and costs can be estimated on the Gantt chart, resources forecast with the workload chart and when the bid is won the team can be assigned to the task board while clients are kept informed with the calendar view to track progress.
Track Costs, Progress and More in Real Time
When the bid proposal is accepted and the job is executed, contractors must monitor the work to ensure it aligns with the plan that was approved by their client. Once a baseline is set on the Gantt chart there are multiple ways to track the project. Real-time dashboards provide a high-level overview of time, cost, workload and more displayed on easy-to-read graphs and charts. Customizable reports get deeper into the details for field crews and can be filtered to show more general metrics to keep clients updated on progress. Secure timesheets allow the teams to log hours from the job site with mobile devices but also give managers a window into labor costs to help them stay on budget.
ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams whether they’re in the office or out in the field. They can share files, comment at the task level or stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.
