Draft Request for Proposals (DRFP)

A Draft Request for Proposals (DRFP) is a pre-solicitation document that agencies release to the public for industry comment before publishing the final, binding RFP. It represents a stage in the acquisition process where the government is still refining its requirements and seeks contractor input on technical approach, evaluation criteria, contract structure, and terms and conditions. Responding thoughtfully to a DRFP is one of the most powerful forms of pre-solicitation shaping available to contractors.

What is a Draft Request for Proposals (DRFP)?

Agencies release DRFPs when they want structured industry feedback before finalizing solicitation requirements. The DRFP typically includes draft versions of the Statement of Work (or Performance Work Statement), evaluation factors, contract type, period of performance, and instructions to offerors. Agencies invite contractors to submit written comments, questions, and recommended changes by a specified date. The comments are reviewed by the program office and contracting officer, who may revise the final RFP accordingly. FAR Part 5 encourages agencies to release solicitations or synopses early to maximize competition, and DRFPs are a mechanism for doing this. For contractors, a DRFP signals that a real requirement is coming and provides the clearest possible preview of what the final proposal will require. Responding to a DRFP is also an opportunity to shape requirements to align with your company's strengths -- within ethical limits -- or to flag contract terms that are commercially unreasonable.

Why DRFPs matter for government contractors

Companies that respond to DRFPs gain intelligence advantages: they understand the requirement in depth before competitors who ignore the DRFP, they may influence the final requirements to improve their competitive position, and they have more time to develop their solution and staffing plan. Ignoring a DRFP leaves this intelligence and shaping opportunity on the table. Many experienced capture managers treat a DRFP response as a mandatory capture activity for any high-priority pursuit.

Example

The Department of Veterans Affairs releases a DRFP for a $200 million enterprise electronic health records support services contract. A contractor submits written comments proposing clarifications to the performance standards and suggesting that the agency allow hybrid on-site/remote staffing, a structure that favors the contractor's operational model. The agency incorporates several of the suggestions into the final RFP. The contractor has used the DRFP process to both understand the requirement thoroughly and improve its competitive position.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are DRFP responses publicly visible to competitors?

It depends on agency practice. Some agencies publish all industry comments and responses in an anonymized format. Others share only the revised RFP without attribution of specific comments. Contractors should assume their comments may be visible and write them accordingly.

Is responding to a DRFP required to bid on the final RFP?

No. Responding to a DRFP is voluntary and does not affect eligibility to submit a proposal in response to the final RFP.

How should a contractor structure a DRFP response?

Effective DRFP responses are structured around specific sections of the draft document, offer substantive rationale for proposed changes, and focus on technical clarity and fairness rather than self-promotional content. Vague comments without specific text changes are rarely incorporated.

How much time do contractors typically have to respond to a DRFP?

DRFP comment periods typically range from two to four weeks. For complex procurements, agencies may provide more time. Contractors should use the full period to provide thorough, well-reasoned comments.

Does submitting DRFP comments create a conflict of interest?

Generally, no. DRFP commenting is a normal and expected part of the acquisition process. However, contractors who help write requirements documents or evaluation criteria under a prior contract may face Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI) restrictions on subsequent competition.