What evaluators look for
Owners evaluate past performance to judge the likelihood of successful performance. In federal negotiated procurements, FAR 15.305 describes past performance as an evaluation factor that considers currency and relevance. State and local RFQs commonly ask for similar information.
- Relevance: similar project type, size, delivery method and complexity.
- Recency: completed or substantially performed within the period the solicitation sets.
- Your role: prime, subcontractor or joint venture partner, and the work you self-performed.
- Verifiable references: owner contacts who can confirm the facts.
A simple structure
- Project name, owner, location, dates and contract value.
- Scope summary in one or two sentences.
- Relevance to this solicitation, in the owner’s own terms.
- Challenges and how your team addressed them.
- Outcome facts you can support with records.
- Reference name, title and current contact details.
Mistakes to avoid
- Generic descriptions reused without tailoring.
- Claims that cannot be verified with records or references.
- Outdated reference contacts.
- Ignoring page limits or required forms.
Build a project library
Keep a current record for each completed project with facts, photos you have rights to use, contract values and reference contacts. It makes every proposal and statement of qualifications faster.
How Bidmere helps
Bidmere drafts project descriptions from your records and maps them to the evaluation criteria in a compliance matrix. Your team confirms every fact.
Common questions
How many past projects should I include?
Follow the solicitation. Many specify a number or a page limit; choose the most relevant rather than the most.
Can I use projects where we were a subcontractor?
Usually yes, if you clearly state your role and the work you performed.
What if the owner contact has left?
Provide a current contact at the owner organization who can verify the project.