Our estimators spend hours reading through complex client requests for proposals to identify technical requirements before we even decide to bid. How do we use AI to triage these incoming RFPs and instantly tell us if they fit our sweet spot?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Reading through hundred-page requests for proposals is a high-value skill, but doing it on every single inbound lead is a massive drain on your estimating team's time. You can use an AI agent to quickly parse these documents and compare them against your target market criteria defined in your V/TO.

First, document the exact criteria that make a project your sweet spot. This includes project size, specific technical requirements, geographic location, and compliance standards. Feed this criteria into an AI agent built using a standard document analysis tool.

When a new RFP comes in, run the document through the agent. The AI can analyze the entire PDF in seconds and generate a simple, one-page scorecard that highlights whether the project meets your criteria or if it contains any major red flags. This scorecard tells your estimating team instantly whether to invest their time in a full bid or politely decline. By automating this initial triage, you save your estimators days of manual review, allowing them to focus their energy on writing winning proposals for high-probability opportunities that match your ideal client profile.