Proposal & RFP Glossary
RFP — Request for Proposal
A formal document issued by an owner or agency soliciting competitive bids for a defined scope of work. Contains technical specs, submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines.
RFQ — Request for Qualifications
Solicits a contractor's qualifications and experience rather than a price. Often the first step in a two-stage procurement; shortlisted firms then receive an RFP.
NOFA / NOFO — Notice of Funding Availability / Opportunity
A federal or state announcement that grant funds are available. Describes eligibility, application requirements, evaluation criteria, and award amounts.
Addendum
An official change or clarification to an RFP issued before the bid deadline. All addenda must be acknowledged in your submission — failure to do so can disqualify a bid.
Bid Bond
A surety guarantee (typically 5–10% of bid value) that a contractor will enter into a contract if awarded. Required on most public construction projects.
Performance & Payment Bond
Surety bonds required on most federally-funded projects over $150,000 (Miller Act threshold). Performance bond guarantees project completion; payment bond guarantees payment to subs and suppliers.
→ SBA Surety Bond Programs
DBE — Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
A certification program for small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Required participation goals are common on federally-funded transportation and infrastructure projects.
→ DOT DBE Program
Davis-Bacon Act
Federal law requiring contractors on federally-funded construction projects to pay locally prevailing wages for each trade classification. Wage rates are published per county by the Dept. of Labor and updated regularly.
→ SAM.gov Wage Determinations
Prevailing Wage
The combination of basic hourly rate plus fringe benefits paid to the majority of workers in a given classification in a geographic area. Determined by DOL surveys and published as wage determinations.
→ DOL Government Contracts Division
Scope of Work (SOW)
A detailed description of what a contractor is expected to deliver — tasks, deliverables, timeline, and acceptance criteria. The SOW is the foundation of your technical proposal response.
Grant Terms
CFDA / Assistance Listing Number
A unique identifier for each federal assistance program, now called the Assistance Listing. Use it to find program-specific requirements and past award data on SAM.gov.
→ SAM.gov Assistance Listings
Cost Share / Match
The portion of a project's total cost that a grantee must contribute from non-federal sources. Often expressed as a percentage (e.g., 20% match). Can be cash, in-kind, or third-party contributions.
Period of Performance
The time period during which grant funds may be obligated and expended. Work performed or costs incurred outside this window are typically unallowable.
Indirect Costs / F&A Rate
Costs not directly attributable to a specific project but necessary for operations (overhead, admin). Many grantees use a negotiated Facilities & Administrative (F&A) rate, or can claim 10% de minimis if no negotiated rate exists.
→ Grants.gov Indirect Costs Guide
Logic Model
A one-page diagram mapping inputs → activities → outputs → outcomes → impact. Many federal grant reviewers expect one. Shows that your project is designed with a clear theory of change.
SAM.gov Registration
All organizations receiving federal grants or contracts must be registered in SAM.gov (System for Award Management). Registration must be active and renewed annually. Allow 1–3 weeks for new registrations.
→ SAM.gov
Compliance Resources
Alaska DOLWD — Wage & Hour
Alaska state prevailing wage law (AS 36.05) applies to state-funded construction projects. Rates are set by the Alaska DOLWD and differ from federal Davis-Bacon rates.
→ Alaska DOLWD Labor Standards
Alaska DBE Program
Alaska DOT&PF administers DBE certification for transportation projects. The SBA 8(a) program provides certification for federal small business set-asides.
→ Alaska DOT DBE Program
Federal Procurement — SAM.gov
All federal contract and grant opportunities over $25,000 are posted on SAM.gov. Registration is required to bid on federal work.
→ SAM.gov Contract Opportunities
Grants.gov
The central portal for finding and applying to federal grant opportunities. Over 1,000 grant programs from 26 federal agencies.
→ Grants.gov
2 CFR Part 200 — Uniform Guidance
The federal regulation governing all federal grant administration — allowable costs, procurement standards, audit requirements, and reporting. Essential reading for any organization receiving federal funds.
→ 2 CFR 200 (eCFR)
Alaska Energy Authority (AEA)
Administers multiple state energy programs and federal pass-through funding for rural Alaska energy projects, including the Renewable Energy Grant Fund.
→ Alaska Energy Authority
USDA Rural Development — Alaska
Provides loans, grants, and technical assistance for rural communities in Alaska. Programs cover housing, utilities, business development, and community facilities.
→ USDA RD Alaska
EDA — Economic Development Administration
Provides grants for economic development planning, infrastructure, and capacity building. Tribal governments and rural communities are priority applicants.
→ EDA Funding Opportunities