Engagement type: Independent consultant, 1099 hourly.
Rate range: $100 - $500 per hour, based on experience and scope (three-tier band detailed below).
Time commitment: Project-based, scales with proposal volume.
Location:Fully remote.
Reports to: GovCon Division Lead, with dotted line to the Federal Capture Director.
A note from the founder
A great proposal is the difference between a captured opportunity and an awarded contract. We have the capture motion ramping up. We need the operator who turns the captured opportunity into a compliant, compelling, on-time response, and who builds the response library so every future proposal moves faster than the last.
What is already built
The Wilkinson Firm is a workforce strategy and staffing firm headquartered across NC and Atlanta. We launched in April 2025 and are now in Year 2 of operations. Two operational divisions today (HR Advisory for the mental health industry, Premium Hospitality and Event Staffing). Government Contracting division being formally stood up this quarter. Three active staffing contracts in delivery. FY26 trajectory $425-525K. Zero loans, zero institutional debt.
Bench credentials: Former EEOC Administrative Law Judge, employment attorneys (JD, MBA), clinical advisors, 32-year enterprise operations specialist. 47 combined years HHS experience.
What you own
Full proposal lifecycle: kickoff, compliance matrix, schedule, color-team reviews (pink, red, gold), production, submission
Technical writing and editing across executive summary, technical approach, management approach, past performance, and resumes of key personnel
Compliance matrix ownership: every shall, every Section L and M requirement, every page count, every font and margin spec
Response library build: past performance citations, key personnel resumes, technical narratives, reusable management approach modules, pricing structures
Coordination with the Federal Capture Director on win themes, discriminators, and ghosting strategy
Coordination with subcontractor partners on teaming inputs and price submissions
Post-submission tracking, debrief capture, and lessons-learned documentation
Engagement structure
Hourly consulting rate, three tiers calibrated to experience and scope:
Writer ($100-175/hr): Proposal writers and coordinators with 3-7 years federal proposal experience
Manager ($175-325/hr): Proposal managers with documented win history and full-lifecycle ownership
Principal ($325-500/hr): Senior proposal directors with multi-million-dollar award history and Tier 1 prime experience
Engagement is hourly. Per-proposal scope and budget defined at proposal kickoff. Win-based bonus stack negotiable on top of hourly rate for proposals that result in awarded contracts.
Success milestones
First 60 days: Proposal process documented. Compliance matrix template built. Response library framework established with 5+ reusable past performance citations.
First 120 days: First 1-2 proposals submitted on time, compliant, and competitive. Color-team review cadence established.
First 180 days: 3-5 proposals submitted. First award or shortlist position. Response library covers 80% of TWF's standard content needs.
Who you are
5-15 years in federal proposal management, technical writing, or capture support
Documented track record managing $1M+ federal proposals through full lifecycle to submission
Shipley-trained or equivalent. APMP credential preferred
Fluent in FAR/DFARS, RFP structure (Sections L and M), and compliance matrix methodology
Strong writing voice: clear, persuasive, and adaptable across technical and management content
Comfortable working both as lead writer and as orchestrator of subject matter expert input
Past performance citations in workforce services, HHS programs, hospitality contracting, or staffing IDIQs preferred
Located anywhere in the US
Bonus points
Prior role at a Tier 1 GovCon prime or boutique proposal shop
Experience with VA, HHS, DoD behavioral health, or federal hospitality contracts
Pricing strategy fluency (cost narrative, BOEs, indirect rate structures)
Experience standing up a proposal function inside an emerging GovCon firm
How we will get to know each other
Initial 30-minute fit conversation with the GovCon Division Lead
Working session: walk through a real proposal scenario we are actively considering or recently submitted
Reference checks (3+ professional references) and work history verification
Engagement letter, scope of work, and rate confirmation
Kickoff within 7 days of signed engagement
What we believe
Trust before revenue. Mission before money. Real seats, real upside. We build durable federal relationships through earned credibility. We win together. We pay people in real numbers, not pizza parties.
Application tips
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Find The Wilkinson Firm on LinkedIn
In your cover note, answer two questions: (1) what's the engagement shape that works best for you (project-based, retained hours, hybrid), and (2) one example of a federal proposal you would point to as your strongest reference work
What to expect from us
Reply within 48 hours
First-round conversation within 7 days of qualification
Full process: 2-4 weeks
We tell you yes or no. We do not ghost.
Originally posted on Himalayas