rfp-analyzer/README.md

# rfp-analyzer

Analyze RFP, solicitation, IFB, or RFQ documents and generate a full proposal management package: compliance matrix, annotated proposal outline, required forms list, and deadline timeline.

**Version:** 1.0.0  
**Author:** Bryan  
**Repo:** https://git.alwisp.com/jason/rfp-analyzer  
**CoWork Project:** CW-010 — RFP Analyzer

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## Overview

The RFP Analyzer is a CoWork skill that reads procurement solicitation packages and produces four professional artifacts the proposal team needs to pursue an opportunity. It is optimized for FTA-funded public transit procurements — it knows Buy America, DBE, Davis-Bacon, FTA Circular 4220.1F, FMVSS, and all the standard federal compliance elements transit solicitations require — but handles all government and commercial RFP types. The skill reads every document in the package before producing any output, making it reliable across multi-amendment solicitations where requirements are scattered. Outputs follow Shipley/APMP proposal methodology.

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## Skills

| Skill | What It Does |
|---|---|
| `rfp-analyzer` | Reads RFP/solicitation/IFB/RFQ packages and produces four artifacts: an annotated Proposal Outline (.docx) with verbatim RFP criteria in red under every heading, a Compliance Matrix (.xlsx) with one row per requirement, a Required Forms & Attachments List (.docx), and a Proposal Timeline (.xlsx) with a Gantt chart. Trigger phrases: "RFP", "solicitation", "Section L", "Section M", "PWS", "SOW", "BAFO", "IFB", "RFQ", "compliance matrix", "proposal outline", "shred this RFP", "proposal kickoff", "what forms do I need", "what are the deadlines", "help me respond to this". |

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## Artifacts Produced

| Artifact | Format | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Proposal Outline | .docx | Annotated shell document. Verbatim RFP criteria in red (RGB 255,0,0) under every heading. Writers compose black text below the red. Every individually-numbered clause gets its own Heading 4. Volumes follow Section L structure (typically Technical, Price, Certifications). Cover page, auto-ToC, and page numbers included. |
| Compliance Matrix | .xlsx | Master traceability document. Columns: Req #, RFP Ref, Requirement Text, Req Type, Submission Req?, Proposal Section, Compliance, Compliance Notes, Owner, Status, Comments. Color-coded by type, conditional formatting on Status, Summary tab with counts. |
| Required Forms List | .docx | Every form, cert, and attachment required in the proposal. Sorted by responsible party (prime first, subs, key personnel). Columns: form name/number, source, who completes, due timing, notes. |
| Proposal Timeline | .xlsx | All dates and deadlines from the solicitation (issue date, pre-proposal conference, Q&A cutoff, proposal due, award date, period of performance start). Tab 1: table. Tab 2: Gantt chart. Page/font/format constraints also captured. |

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## Tools Reference

This is a skill-only plugin — no MCP server. All document generation is handled by Claude using the `docx` and `xlsx` dependency skills.

| Dependency | Purpose |
|---|---|
| `docx` skill | Produces the Proposal Outline and Required Forms documents |
| `xlsx` skill | Produces the Compliance Matrix and Proposal Timeline |

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## Setup Instructions

1. Install the `rfp-analyzer` skill in CoWork
2. Ensure the `docx` and `xlsx` skills are also installed — the rfp-analyzer reads their SKILL.md files at runtime
3. No credentials, API keys, or additional configuration required

### Setup Checklist
- [ ] rfp-analyzer skill installed
- [ ] docx skill installed
- [ ] xlsx skill installed

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## Workflow Notes

**Document intake:** Upload the full RFP package (base solicitation + all amendments). The skill inventories all documents before beginning and announces what it found and what it will do with each.

**FTA procurement patterns:** The skill explicitly scans for Buy America (49 U.S.C. § 5323(j)), DBE participation/good faith effort, Davis-Bacon prevailing wage, FTA Circular 4220.1F clauses, ADA/accessibility, FMVSS (vehicle procurements), EEO, Drug & Alcohol certifications, Byrd Amendment lobbying certs, and debarment/suspension certifications.

**Proposal Outline red text:** Every clause gets its own Heading 4 with full verbatim text in red directly beneath it. The red block stays through all review cycles — reviewers verify every red item is addressed in the black text below it.

**File naming:** `[Agency]_[Solicitation#]_[Type].[ext]`. If agency/solicitation number cannot be parsed, "RFP" is used as a placeholder.

**Amendment conflicts:** When base RFP and amendment conflict, the amendment governs. This is noted in the compliance matrix.

**Ambiguous requirements:** Flagged in the compliance matrix Comments column with "CLARIFICATION NEEDED — recommend Q&A submission."

**Quality gate:** Before delivering output, the skill verifies: every shall/must from Sections L and M is in the matrix; every heading has red criteria text; every Section M factor appears in at least one outline section; all forms are in the forms document; the timeline includes the submission deadline with correct date, time, and delivery method.

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## Requirements

- CoWork (Cowork mode in Claude desktop app)
- `docx` skill
- `xlsx` skill

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## Troubleshooting

| Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|
| Outline headings missing red criteria text | Ensure the `docx` skill is installed — rfp-analyzer reads its SKILL.md at runtime |
| Timeline Gantt chart not rendering | Ensure the `xlsx` skill is installed — rfp-analyzer reads its SKILL.md at runtime |
| Forms list appears incomplete | Provide all amendment documents — required forms are frequently added or modified in addenda |
| File names use "RFP" as placeholder | Agency name and solicitation number couldn't be parsed — rename files manually |
| Compliance matrix missing requirements | Confirm all amendment documents were uploaded — requirements are often scattered across addenda |