How to Check for a Contract Award
How to Check for a Contract Award
After submitting a proposal, a government agency may not always notify every bidder when an award determination has been made.
Contractors should follow up with the contracting officer after submission to confirm whether an award decision has been made and whether an award announcement date is available.
Purpose of This How-To
Use this guide to follow up professionally after submitting a bid, RFQ, RFP, IFB, or proposal.
How to Follow Up After Proposal Submission
The goal is to ask for the award status in a short, professional, and documented way.
Locate the Contracting Officer
Go back to the original solicitation and find the contracting officer or agency contact listed in the RFP, RFQ, IFB, or bid documents.
Confirm the Solicitation Details
Make sure you have the correct solicitation number, solicitation title, and the date your proposal was submitted.
Send a Short Award Status Email
Ask whether an award determination has been made. If it has not, ask whether the agency can provide an estimated award announcement date.
Save the Agency Response
Keep a copy of your follow-up email and any agency response in your opportunity file for tracking and future reference.
Email Format to the Contracting Officer
Use this format to request the award status. Keep the message simple and professional.
Subject: Award Status Request – Solicitation #[Solicitation Number]
Hello [Contracting Officer Name],
Can you please provide the current award status for solicitation #[Solicitation Number], titled “[Solicitation Title]”?
Our company submitted a proposal for this opportunity on [Submission Date], and we are following up to confirm whether an award determination has been made.
If an award has not been determined yet, can you please provide the approximate date when the agency expects to announce the award decision?
Thank you,
[Your Name]
[Company Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
When to Follow Up
Follow up after the proposal due date has passed, the expected award date has passed, or no update has been provided by the agency.
What Not to Ask Yet
Do not ask for a debrief in the first message unless the agency confirms an award has already been made.
Track the Opportunity
Record the follow-up date, agency response, award status, and any expected award announcement date.
After the Agency Responds
Use the response to determine whether the opportunity should stay in monitoring, be marked as awarded, or be closed out.