Senior Proposal Manager-1099 Independent Contractor (Consultant)

About the role

Adams Communication & Engineering Technology (ACET), Incorporated is a Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) system engineering and information technology firm founded in 1999. ACET supports mission‑critical IT needs for clients in the intelligence community, Department of Defense, Veteran Administration, and select commercial customers. The company’s technical, programmatic, and analytical professionals specialize in commercial technology, customized solutions, and proprietary government systems. As a Senior Proposal Manager (1099 Independent Contractor) based in Huntsville, AL, you will lead the development, coordination, and submission of high‑quality, compliant, and competitive proposals for Federal, State, and commercial solicitations, managing multiple concurrent proposals in a fast‑paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the full proposal lifecycle, from capture and pre‑RFP planning through submission and post‑submission support.
• Develop and manage proposal schedules, outlines, compliance matrices, and review plans to ensure all deadlines are met.
• Coordinate input from technical, management, pricing, and contracts teams to ensure all sections align with the overall win strategy.
• Facilitate color team reviews (Pink, Red, Gold, Green) and incorporate feedback to strengthen the proposal’s quality and compliance.
• Ensure compliance with RFP/RFQ/RFI requirements, proposal instructions, evaluation criteria, and internal standards.
• Write and edit proposal sections, executive summaries, and management/technical narratives as needed.
• Collaborate with pricing and contracts teams to align cost volumes with the technical approach and value proposition.
• Manage proposal production and submission, ensuring quality, consistency, and accuracy of all deliverables.
• Support continuous improvement by developing templates, best practices, and lessons learned for future proposals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications, English, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 7–10 years of experience in proposal management, preferably within the federal contracting or defense sector.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex proposals simultaneously under tight deadlines.
• Strong knowledge of FAR/DFARS, DoD, and federal acquisition processes.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, SharePoint, and Teams.
• Experience with Shipley or similar proposal methodologies.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply.

Preferred Qualifications

• APMP certification (Foundation, Practitioner, or Professional).
• Experience with IDIQ task order management and rapid response proposals.
• Background in technical services, logistics, or aviation support contracting.