U.S. Government Proposal & Contracts Specialist

Azenta•Plainfield, IN

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The U.S. Government Proposal & Contracts Specialist identifies relevant federal contracting opportunities through SAM.gov and coordinates the preparation and submission of proposals. The specialist works independently of the existing sales team and partners closely with an external government contracting consultant to evaluate opportunities, understand solicitation requirements, organize response materials, and submit approved proposals on time. The role focuses on U.S. federal opportunities aligned with Azenta’s sample repository, laboratory sample processing, temperature-controlled storage, cryo-storage, cold-chain logistics, sample relocation, and related sample management services. This is a hands-on specialist position focused on opportunity research, proposal preparation, submission coordination, and disciplined follow-through—not territory sales or independent consulting. Leadership retains bid/no-bid and pricing approval, and authorized reviewers retain responsibility for contractual commitments. The position is primarily office-based in Plainfield, Indiana, with occasional U.S. travel expected to be up to 10%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
At least 2 years of experience in federal proposal coordination, government procurement support, or contract administration.
Experience reviewing SAM.gov opportunities and interpreting government solicitation instructions, required documents, and submission deadlines.
Experience preparing, assembling, or submitting government proposals or procurement responses.
Strong writing, proofreading, document preparation, and communication skills.
Ability to work independently, manage multiple deadlines, and coordinate effectively with an external government contracting consultant.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and experience maintaining proposal files, checklists, and opportunity trackers.
Ability to review lengthy solicitations and identify requirements, deadlines, and questions requiring further review.
Ability to organize source information into complete, consistent, well-structured proposal materials.
Integrity, accountability, discretion, sound judgment, and recognition of the limits of delegated authority when handling proposal information, procurement communications, approvals, and company commitments.
Ability to work primarily in an office in Plainfield, Indiana, and manage time-sensitive solicitation deadlines.
U.S. travel may be required for internal meetings or government contracting activities, up to 10%.

Nice To Haves

A science-related degree is strongly preferred.
Working familiarity with federal procurement terminology and processes; experience supporting FAR-based solicitations is preferred.
Life sciences, laboratory services, or sample management experience is preferred.
Scientific sales experience, territory management experience, and an established customer network are strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Monitor SAM.gov for federal contracting opportunities aligned with Azenta’s Sample Repository Services capabilities.
Screen solicitations for service fit, eligibility requirements, scope, deadlines, required documentation, and submission complexity.
Prepare concise opportunity summaries for leadership and consultant review to support bid/no-bid decisions.
Partner with the external government contracting consultant to clarify solicitation requirements, develop response outlines, and review proposal completeness.
Prepare and assemble responses to RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs, including proposal narratives, required forms, supporting documents, and attachments.
Obtain technical information and approved pricing from designated internal subject-matter experts as needed.
Maintain proposal calendars and submission checklists, tracking required inputs, review milestones, internal approvals, and final deadlines.
Monitor solicitation amendments, agency questions and answers, and clarification deadlines, and incorporate applicable updates into proposal materials.
Submit internally approved responses according to solicitation instructions and retain submission confirmations and complete proposal records.
Coordinate procurement correspondence and agency follow-up with the consultant, escalating substantive contractual questions and proposed commitments to authorized internal reviewers.
Maintain an organized opportunity tracker showing review status, bid decisions, submission dates, pending responses, awards, and unsuccessful bids.
Provide regular updates on relevant opportunities, proposal quality and completeness, on-time submissions, and outcomes; capture lessons learned with the consultant to improve future responses.
Coordinate reviews with the external consultant and designated internal approvers to meet time-sensitive solicitation deadlines.