Olympic-sized opportunities require olympic-sized proposals. We've been signed up to competefor for some time, and having submitted proposals for some contracts

Olympic-sized opportunities require olympic-sized proposals. We've been signed up to competefor for some time, and having submitted proposals for some contracts I can say quite confidently that there are huge hoops to jump through. It can take weeks to complete the proposal forms and process (just for small jobs), and as a startup, if you don't have much a track record (e.g been in business for 3+ years, have decent revenue) or don't have industry certifications, you stand no chance - whatever they might promote otherwise. Plus most government buyers have existing relationships and almost always award contracts to people they've done business with before. As a newbie it's extremely hard to get a foot in the door.