Cohort 5 - Fall 2023

By the end of this course, you will know how to prepare a responsive and competitive cost proposal for USAID.

Kristen Hamaoui

Director, Keylime

Cost Preparer Practicum for USAID Proposals

Keylime’s C&amp;P expert will guide participants through developing a responsive cost volume based on a standard USAID RFP. In this hands-on practicum, participants will prepare a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee proposal together with the instructor and learn how to develop a cost strategy.

From analyzing an RFP to developing a cost strategy

International development professionals at all levels that want to learn how to prepare a cost proposal for USAID

Business development managers that want to hone their skills in preparing cost proposals

Proposal Leads who want to learn strategies to make their proposals more competitive

New Partners for USAID who needs the cost proposal to be demystified

Who is this course for

By the end of this course you will

It is critical to review RFPs from a cost and contractual lens. You will learn the anatomy of an RFP and tactics for finding and dissecting the necessary information to prepare not only a compliant, but also a responsive, cost proposal.

Understand how to read and analyze an RFP

Overwhelmed with the myriad of regulations governing cost proposals? You are not alone. The key is to know which regulations apply to the actual development of a cost proposal. You will become cognizant of the key regulations pertaining cost proposals and their applicability.

Be cognizant of the key regulations

This course is a practicum, and participants will gain hands-on experience developing a cost proposal, line-by-line. You will learn how to prepare a cost proposal for USAID based on best practices.

Become a skilled cost preparer

USAID awards contracts based on a 'best value determination'. You will learn how to conduct a technical/cost trade-off analysis and develop a cost strategy that maximizes your proposal's value. You will be prepared to apply cost-effectiveness principles to project design.

Gain confidence to lead a cost strategy

The first session covers the key concepts needed to start preparing a cost proposal for USAID. We will walk through the first steps you’ll take when an RFP is issued, including how to review an RFP and outline your cost volume. We will also cover the major contract types used by USAID.

Session 1 - RFP Review, Anatomy of a Cost Volume, and Contract Types

Sessions 2-5 are a practicum in which we will prepare a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee proposal, using MS Excel, tailored to typical USAID requirements. The instructor will cover applicable USAID regulations and prepare a budget in real-time, sharing best practices along the way. Participants are expected to prepare a budget alongside with the instructor.

Session 2 - Cost preparer practicum, part 1

Session 3 - Cost preparer practicum, part 2

Session 4 - Cost preparer practicum, part 3

Session 5 - Cost preparer practicum, part 4

In this session, participants will learn how to develop a cost strategy based on most frequently used RFP evaluation criteria and methodologies. This includes learning how to conduct a technical/cost trade-off analysis to increase cost effectiveness and maximize value.

Session 6 - Cost strategy

There's more to a cost proposal than the spreadsheets. In the final session, we will go over the supporting documentation submitted in cost volumes, including how to outline the budget narrative based on an RFP's instructions and evaluation criteria. Participants will also learn how to review a subcontractor's budget to ensure price reasonableness.

Session 7 - Supporting documentation and subcontractor pricing

Course syllabus

Wednesdays from January 17th- February 20th

We'll assign homework to put your new skills into practice! You'll get feedback from your instructor on your homework and will have the opportunity to discuss in class.

Homework

Course schedule

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Frequently Asked Questions

This course builds on live workshops and hands-on exercises

Active learning, not passive watching

You’ll be interacting with other learners through a live practicum

Interactive

Join a community of like-minded people who want to learn and grow alongside you

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