Susan E. Martin

Senior Federal Proposal Manager and Writer with 15+ years of experience leading end-to-end, FAR-compliant proposal development for U.S. Government and commercial clients. Proven success managing complex RFPs, RFQs, RFIs, IDIQ task orders, and capture support efforts across multiple agencies.

Expert in compliance matrices, win themes, color reviews, and evaluator-focused storytelling. Trusted leader known for driving on-time submissions, improving proposal quality, and translating complex technical solutions into compelling narratives. APMP-certified professional with deep experience supporting distributed, cross-functional teams.

Proposal Manager/Technical Writer - SNO CORP.

(2026-03 - 2026-07)

Responsible for coordinating and producing high-quality, compliant proposal responses for RFIs, PPQs, ITTs, and RFPs while leading cross-functional proposal teams to deliver winning submissions. Manage proposal schedules, governance, reviews, approvals, and final production under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Lead proposal planning, kickoff meetings, storyboarding sessions, reviews, and final submission activities
• Coordinate and edit contributions from sales, technical, finance, legal, marketing, and delivery teams
• Ensure proposals are compliant, persuasive, and submitted within customer-defined timelines
• Maintain proposal content libraries, templates, and proposal automation tools
• Coach teams on proposal best practices and persuasive writing techniques
• Manage document formatting and branding standards
• Proven experience developing successful proposals in complex business environments
• Strong technical writing experience, preferably in custom software services
• Advanced proficiency in MS Word, PowerPoint, MS Office, and Adobe InDesign

Senior Federal Proposal Writer - AOKA, LLC - Remote

(2025-06 - 2026-03)

• Lead analysis of federal RFPs, RFQs, and RFIs to develop compliant proposal strategies aligned with evaluation criteria and customer priorities
• Write and edit executive summaries, technical approaches, management plans, and past performance narratives for competitive federal bids
• Collaborate with capture, business development, operations, finance, and SMEs to develop cohesive, evaluator-focused proposal content
• Develop proposal outlines, compliance matrices, schedules, and review plans to ensure FAR-compliant submissions
• Coordinate with graphic designers to develop visuals that enhance clarity and persuasiveness
• Conduct final compliance and quality reviews and manage proposal production and submission
• Maintain and enhance proposal content libraries, templates, and reusable assets

Independent Consultant - INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT

(2024-06 - 2025-06)

• Led end-to-end proposal development for federal and commercial clients, ensuring persuasive, compliant, and timely submissions
• Managed proposal schedules, resources, and cross-functional contributors across multiple concurrent bids
• Reviewed proposals for compliance, clarity, and adherence to solicitation requirements and internal standards
• Developed and maintained proposal templates, boilerplate, and past performance repositories
• Provided proposal training and process improvements to increase efficiency and submission quality
• Tracked proposal performance metrics and supported continuous improvement initiatives support

Proposal Manager - BGI, LLC - Remote

(2023-07 - 2024-05)

• Managed the full proposal lifecycle from kickoff through submission for federal opportunities
• Developed compliance matrices, schedules, and proposal governance plans
• Wrote, edited, and reviewed proposal content to ensure accuracy, compliance, and persuasive messaging
• Coordinated SMEs, capture staff, and leadership to support winning proposal strategies
• Created proposal templates and tools to streamline development and improve consistency
• Participated in post-submission debriefs to identify process and content improvements

Proposal Manager/Capture Manager - Applied Intellect, LLC - Remote

(2022-03 - 2023-04)

• Supported initiatives for company growth through research and analysis of sources of information to include government and commercial databases
• Participated in business prospecting for new initiatives and opportunities
• Reviewed Federal databases and websites to review and identify government agency opportunities of interest to the company
• Managed and/or prepared responses to Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and Request for Quotes (RFQs)
• Conducted market research on prospective customers through review of public and proprietary sources of information
• Ability to work well with others and conduct themselves in a confident and professional manner
• Led meetings with prospective clients and partners

Proposal Manager/Program Manager 8(a) STARS III/GSA MAS IT - Independent Consultant - Remote

(2021-06 - 2022-02)

• Supported federal proposal and program management efforts for IDIQ and task order opportunities
• Coordinated proposal planning, writing, compliance reviews, and production activities
• Prepared compliance matrices, outlines, schedules, and pipeline reports
• Updated past performance content, resumes, and graphics for proposal submissions

Proposal Manager/Capture Manager - CKA LLC/Starry Associates Inc. - Remote

(2021-01 - 2021-05)

• Developed and reviewed proposal strategies and themes and developed proposal response
• Assembled proposal content with internal and external resources by coordinating with capture manager
• Developed proposal compliance matrix and fulfilled requirements through proposal development effort
• Reviewed completed storyboards and proposal sections to address requirements and meet customer page limits
• Wrote, edited, and rewrote efforts and developed graphic concepts
• Directed and coordinated proposal efforts through the full proposal lifecycle
• Researched opportunities, engaged in capture planning process, and contributed to bidding strategy development
• Maintained and organized proposal artifacts
• Developed targeted questions and interviewed staff to obtain critical proposal information
• Communicated proposal requirements and status to senior management
• Managed proposal response schedule and engaged in proposal knowledge management processes

Proposal Manager - Computer World Services Corp. - Falls Church, VA

(2019-05 - 2020-03)

• Oversaw and directed proposal development in response to Federal Government RFPs and ensured the development of compliant, high quality, and timely proposal submissions.
• Thoroughly analyzed all sections of the RFP to interpret the requirements set forth by the Federal agencies
• Prepared the response outlines and assign and coordinated writing assignments both within the company and with teaming partners
• Leveraged existing proposal content and developed added content as needed for proposal responses
• Led all proposal development reviews (Pink, Red, White, etc.) and executed and facilitated proposal revisions

Proposal Manager - BCMC, LLC - Fairfax, VA

(2018-06 - 2019-04)

Oversaw the development of proposals, bids, quotations, or other documents describing organizational products and services in response to government request for RFP/RFI. Collaborated with capture manager, partners, SMEs, and business development team members to ensure content was complete, accurate, and timely. Planned, produced, and delivered compliant proposals within a complex business environment.

Scheduled and led proposal kick-off meetings, facilitating key review meetings/final document review, coordinating proposal governance/sign off, and document production and delivery of the completed proposal.

Senior Proposal Manager - Focused Management, Inc. - Alexandria, VA

(2017-01 - 2018-03)

Led, organized, and executed proposal activity for strategic opportunities. Participated in the development of the proposal process, structure and format, win strategies, competitive analysis, requirement matrices, and proposal presentation. Provided guidance on pre-proposal and proposal methodologies.

Developed proposal outlines, schedules, and themes. Reviewed, edited, and wrote portions of the proposal. Managed the coordination, assembly, and schedule of administrative functions in support of the production of assigned proposals.

Senior Proposal Manager - E-9 Corporation - Springfield, VA

(2014-10 - 2016-08)

Managed the preparation of proposals from pre-RFP activities through final proposal revisions; collaborated closely with team to identify and articulate overall proposal strategy and thematic approach. Assembled proposal team; managed proposal preparation and production; prepared for and supervised Questions and Answers (Q&A) and final proposal revision activities; responsible for taking the lead on, as well as writing and editing, proposal sections; worked closely with joint venture partners and subcontractors to develop proposal material.

Proposal Manager - MicroTechnologies, LLC - Vienna, VA

(2014-06 - 2014-10)

As the Proposal Manager, was responsible for leading and managing the proposal development life cycle for all assigned proposals and managing all the task orders as they came out. This included requests for proposal (RFP) analysis, kick-off meetings, daily status calls, proposal development, color reviews, proposal production, etc. Also responsible for administering proposal processes, providing guidance and assistance to authors, administering proposal-related resources, preparing proposal-related reports, etc.

Held a critical role in the development of 100 percent compliant, compelling, and winning proposals and was called upon to assist in the preparation of responses to requests for information.

Proposal Specialist/Writer/DTP - Accelera Solutions, Inc. - Fairfax, VA

(2013-06 - 2014-07)

As the Proposal Specialist/Writer/DTP, was responsible for leading and managing the proposal development life cycle for all assigned proposals and managing all the task orders as they come out. This includes Requests for Proposal (RFP) analysis, Kick-Off meetings, Daily Status Calls, Proposal Development, Color Reviews, Proposal Production, etc. Also responsible for administering proposal processes, providing guidance and assistance to authors, administering proposal-related resources, preparing proposal-related reports, etc.

Played a critical role in the development of 100% compliant, compelling, and winning proposals and was called upon to assist in the preparation of responses to Requests for Information.

• Managed the entire proposal development life cycle
• Maintained databases to include Proposal Content, Graphics, Past Performance, Re-usable Assets, and Resumes
• Collaborated with Capture Manager, Desktop Publisher, Authors, Program Managers, Support Leads, etc.
• Created proposal templates, outlines, compliance matrices, and production checklists
• Developed the proposal schedule and maintained visibility on progress

Deputy Program Manager/Lead Proposal/Technical Editor-Writer - System Planning Corporation - Arlington, VA

(2001-07 - 2012-01)

As the Lead Proposal/Technical Writer and Deputy Program Manager for the Army S&T program, served as the day-to-day point of contact for the entire contract. Ensured that the Army Science & Technology Master Plan (ASTMP) met all scheduled milestones and that it complied with the high-quality standards expected by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisitions, Logistics, and Technology (ASA(ALT)). This effort included formatting and compiling ASTMP inputs for incorporation into draft documents, overseeing the editing and revising of all supplied graphics to provide a format and theme in a professional style, performing thorough technical edits to ensure accuracy and consistency throughout the ASTMP, and preparing the final ASTMP for publication.

Provided proposal support preparation and conference support preparation. Also, prepared, edited, compiled, and produced RFPs and RFIs.

B.A. - ENGLISH - The College of William & Mary

B.A. - FRENCH - The College of William & Mary