Pump The Jam

Recent research by the nonprofit U.S. Digital Response and the National Association of State Chief Information Officers examined what vendors don’t like about states’ request for proposal documents. The work was dead simple, as was the solution they proposed: Just put a cover sheet on your RFPs. Waldo Jaquith, a government delivery manager with USDR, joins StateScoop’s Priorities Podcast to explain the findings and why he thinks this one simple change could not only save vendors time, but improve the quality of responses that states get when they’re making purchases.

This week’s top stories:

In a letter addressed to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Norm last week, 21 Republican secretaries of state asked for improvements to her department’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, program, so they can more easily detect noncitizens who are voting in elections.

According to a recent report published by the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, state and local governments need to adopt a more “whole-of-state” approach to cybersecurity, involving all levels of government in policy and strategic planning in order to better protect critical infrastructure.

In recognition of the growing threats posed by artificial intelligence, a new security advisory committee in Arizona has published its first recommendations, including one to create an AI elections lab that can fine tune election-specific AI models for use by election offices. 
New episodes of StateScoop’s Priorities Podcast are posted each Wednesday.
For more of the latest news and trends across the state and local government technology community, subscribe to the Priorities Podcast on Apple Podcasts, ,Soundcloud or Spotify.


One really simple way to improve state RFPs

Welcome to the first episode of The RFP House, where we discuss the key differences between government and corporate Request for Proposals (RFPs) and what they mean for bidders. Whether you’re a business owner, a procurement professional, or a freelancer looking to secure contracts, understanding how public and private sector RFPs operate can give you a competitive edge. Learn more https://www.therfphouse.com/services/

We will discuss:

1. The Core Differences – How government RFPs differ from corporate ones in terms of structure, requirements, and evaluation criteria.  
2. Regulations & Compliance – Why government RFPs have stricter rules and how to navigate them.  
3. Flexibility & Negotiation – How private sector RFPs allow more room for customization and price discussions.  
4. Timelines & Bureaucracy – Understanding the lengthy approval processes in government contracts vs. faster corporate decisions.  
5. Winning Strategies – Tips for tailoring proposals to meet public and private sector expectations.  

By the end of this episode, you'll have a clear roadmap for crafting stronger proposals, avoiding common pitfalls, and positioning your business for success in both markets.  

Government vs. Corporate RFPs: Key Differences and Strategies

Step into the zone with “Deadline Drift (RFP Flow)”, a silky-smooth Liquid Drum & Bass jazz anthem made for every B2B marketer who's fought the good fight against tight deadlines, stakeholder chaos, and those never-ending proposal loops. This track captures the smooth tension and rhythmic madness of the RFP lifecycle—where PowerPoint decks meet pixel-perfect branding and procurement redlines.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO4ijcXx4o8

Deadline Drift (RFP Flow) – A Liquid DnB x Jazz Anthem for B2B RFP Warriors

Each Wednesday, StateScoop’s Priorities Podcast explores the latest in state and local government technology news and analysis. Listen to in-depth conversations with government and industry’s top executives, and learn about trending stories affecting state and local IT leaders ranging from modernization and digital accessibility to the latest advances in generative artificial intelligence.

https://www.therfphouse.com - The RFP House is a woman-owned proposal consultancy helping small and mid-sized businesses win more contracts.

New tracks tagged #RFP