A bid/no-bid decision is a quick, honest review of whether a contract is worth pursuing. You check fit, capacity, competition, risk and profit before you spend days writing a proposal. Small businesses that bid selectively save time and focus their energy on contracts they can actually win. Our Government Contracting Academy and Friday Contracting Workshops teach a simple bid/no-bid process you can use on every opportunity.
Why bid/no-bid matters
Every proposal costs time, and time is money for a small business. Bidding on everything usually means rushed proposals that are not competitive. A clear decision process protects your team and raises the quality of the bids you do submit.
Questions to ask before you bid
- Fit: Is this work we already do well? Do our NAICS codes and experience match?
- Requirements: Can we meet every mandatory requirement, including licenses, insurance, bonding and certifications?
- Capacity: Do we have the people, equipment and cash flow to perform while we wait to get paid?
- Relationship: Do we know this agency or its needs? Did we respond to an earlier sources sought notice?
- Competition: Who held this contract before? Is it set aside for small businesses?
- Price and profit: Can we price competitively and still make money?
- Time: Is there enough time to write a strong, compliant proposal?
Turn the questions into a scorecard
Give each question a simple score, for example green, yellow or red. Any red on a mandatory requirement is usually an automatic no-bid. Several yellows mean you need a plan, such as teaming with a partner, before you commit. Write down your reasons so you learn from each decision.
A no-bid is not a failure
Passing on a poor fit frees you to chase better ones. You can also turn a no-bid into a teaming opportunity by reaching out to a prime contractor that is bidding. Read our guide to government contracting classes in San Bernardino to see how the skills fit together.
Class details
- Government Contracting Academy: 54 hours, 9 modules, and a finished career portfolio. Modules cover how government buys, procurement and ethics, registrations and certifications including SAM.gov, finding opportunities, bid/no-bid, reading solicitations, RFPs and grant notices, proposals and grant narratives, pricing inputs, and post-award contract administration.
- Academy day cohort: Monday to Thursday, 12 to 4 PM, November 23 to December 16, 2026 (no class November 26).
- Academy evening cohort: Tuesday and Thursday, 6 to 9 PM, January 12 to March 11, 2027.
- Academy tuition: $1,497 paid in full, or 3 payments of $499.
- Friday Contracting Workshops: 2 hours every Friday, 12 to 2 PM (no workshop November 27, December 25 or January 1). Topics rotate: finding bids, reading an RFP, bid/no-bid, compliance matrices, proposal and grant narratives, SAM.gov and certifications. $97 per workshop, or a 4-pass for $297.
- Format: every class is offered in person at 255 N. D Street, Suite #200-XXVII, San Bernardino, CA 92401, or live online from anywhere in the U.S.
- Why it fits this topic: bid/no-bid has its own Academy module, and one Friday Workshop session is dedicated to it, so you can practice on real opportunities.
- Funding note: Our application to California's Eligible Training Provider List is in progress. Once approved, eligible residents may have tuition paid by the county.
How to enroll
- Apply online. It takes about 2 minutes.
- Pay with the class pay link: Academy, $1,497 in full, Academy, 3 x $499, one Friday Workshop, $97, or Friday Workshop 4-pass, $297. You can also see every option on the tuition page.
- We confirm your seat within 2 business days.
Want to ask questions first? Join our free Info Session and Orientation every Monday, 5:00 to 5:45 PM Pacific, online. Register on the enroll page to get the link. Full program details are on the Contracting Academy page.
FAQ
How fast should I make a bid/no-bid decision?
As early as possible after you read the solicitation, so you keep the most time for writing. Many teams do a quick first look, then a final decision once questions are answered.
Who should be involved in the decision?
Anyone who will be responsible for delivering the work or the pricing. In a very small business that may be just you, which is why a written checklist helps.
Is there a short class on bid/no-bid?
Yes. A Friday Contracting Workshop is 2 hours for $97, or save with the 4-pass for $297.
Questions? Call or text (909) 454-7076, or email info@ayangbahfoundation.org.