U.S. Government Proposal & Contracts Specialist
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, interpret solicitation requirements, organize response materials, and submit approved proposals on time. The role focuses on U.S. federal opportunities related to Azenta’s sample repository, laboratory sample processing, temperature-controlled storage, cryo-storage, cold-chain logistics, sample relocation, and related sample management services. It is a hands-on specialist position centered on opportunity research, proposal preparation, submission coordination, and 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. Occasional U.S. travel may be required for internal meetings or government contracting activities, expected to be up to 10%. The specialist must manage time-sensitive solicitation deadlines and coordinate reviews with the external consultant and designated internal approvers. The role has no assigned sales territory or individual sales quota.
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.
- Working familiarity with federal procurement terminology and processes.
- Ability to manage time-sensitive solicitation deadlines and coordinate reviews with the external consultant and designated internal approvers.
- Demonstrated integrity, accountability, discretion, sound judgment, and ability to recognize the limits of delegated authority.
Nice To Haves
- A science-related degree is strongly preferred.
- 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, without relying on the existing sales team to manage opportunities or develop proposals.
- 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 identified, proposal quality and completeness, on-time submissions, and outcomes; capture lessons learned with the consultant to improve future responses.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
