Suzanne Damra
Falls Church,VA
Summary
Detail-oriented proposal specialist with extensive experience leading various volumes, developing compliant content, and engaging in various review cycles for federal proposals. Known for strong attention to detail and effective collaboration with diverse teams to deliver high-quality proposals that meet stringent deadlines.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Proposal Specialist
Credence Management Solutions, LLC
McLean, Virginia
07.2023 - 12.2025
- Works on IT proposals within the federal sector for government branches such as the Army, Defense Logistics Agency, Air Force, Space Force, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of State.
- Helps co-manage multiple award, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) submissions from start to finish, including scorecard components and administrative volumes, while also working scorecard tasks for various sub factors within each Work Sample/Volume.
- Builds volumes from scratch using existing company templates. Creates volume outlines using requirements and specifications outlined in sections L and M.
- Works extensively on past performances/corporate experiences, resumes, administrative volumes, technicals, and timed orals.
- Manages sole source submissions when needed, while working on content development for multiple volumes.
- Utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) such as OpenAI's ChatGPT prompts to fine tune content, check content, and search for all evaluation criteria within a volume, the same way an evaluator would use AI, to minimize any errors in content development.
- Works with various team members, including Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), Engineers, Information Technology (IT) leads, and company executives to draft content for technicals, past performance/corporate experience drafts, and resumes.
- Analyzes scorecard requirements and searches for substantiation within the Performance Work Statement (PWS), Monthly Status Reports (MSRs)/Contract Data Requirements Lists (CDRLs), Contractor Performance Assessment Reports (CPARs), and any other data submitted to the Government to prove current work aligns to what is being requested for each sub factor.
- Participates in Blue, Pink, Red, and White Glove Reviews for various proposals.
- Gathers data, performs PDF tagging, and packages Work Samples for Scorecard proposals.
- Collaborates with Joint Venture (JV) partners and subcontractors, such as high level executives, on large IDIQ proposals, located in different time zones such as Texas and Colorado, to coordinate kick-offs, proposal volume draft deadlines, team reviews, and volume development as one team submissions.
- Coordinates via timely emails status updates for proposals with partners, while also scheduling meetings to draft technical content for proposal submissions across multiple staff.
- Responsible for entire volumes from start to finish, such as past performance/corporate experience, resume volumes, and administrative volumes, while also finding time in between to perform reviews on technical volumes for copy editing purposes and gap assessments according to PWS requirements.
- Coordinates with proposals, pricing, and contracts on any amendments or changes that will impact submissions.
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel, and Adobe PDF tools to format, copy-edit, tag, and PDF for submissions.
- Drafts notes for managers during meetings, asks follow up questions during one-on-one meetings with SMEs and Engineers.
- Creates work history matrices for resumes in Excel that lists minimum requirements, PWS requirements, Certifications, security/clearance requirement, and preferred experience requirement to ensure that chosen Key Personnel meet the years of experience, the requirements, and are able to show various examples of meeting PWS requirements throughout the years.
- Works resume volumes as large as 150 pages that require multiple staff replacements/swaps last minute, adjusting accordingly to amendments.
- Reviews each RFP/RFQ thoroughly, drafts a compliance matrix according to the requirements in sections L and M, and reviews various documents to ensure all drafted questions to the government have addressed critical questions the team may have.
- Tracks amendments for live proposals and ensures critical changes and deadlines are communicated to the team.
- Uses tracked changes in word to show copy-editing, as well as key content changes and any questions that should be communicated regarding gaps/areas needing improvement.
- Participates in lessons learned, proposal staff meeting, and internal trainings for staff.
- Works with capture managers, proposal managers, and SMEs to ensure all areas of concern are addressed on live proposals.
- Provides training to new staff on how to navigate internal business systems for documentation purposes on proposals.
- Works on internal library documentation and marketing content when needed.
- Takes ownership for actions and work assigned, and works with the proposal team to support as effectively as possible.
- Possesses an exceptional work ethic, working diligently even on nights, weekends, and holidays to support the proposal team.
Proposal Support/Marketing Manager
FedMira
McLean, Virginia
01.2022 - 06.2023
- Reviewed RFP/RFQ requirements to outline and create content by working with various team members such as SMEs from various companies.
- Developed social media marketing strategies to help brand company and increase sales.
- Maintained relationships with key customers through regular communication.
- Conducted research to determine ideal markets for products and services.
- Created events revolving around consulting services to generate revenue. Managed event coordination, speakers, food and beverage for events, and payments to speakers after each event.
- Created content for promotional materials, including brochures, flyers, and websites.
- Attended various fairs and events in the VA, DC, and MD area to market company services.
- Helped with staffing and onboarding for staff as needed.
Consultant
Various Employers (Freelance Basis)
Remote
01.2020 - 02.2021
- Created task lists for selected RFPs and assigned responsibilities to team members.
- Collaborated with technical and business development teams to gather proposal components.
- Conducted daily progress meetings to track proposal component status and ensure deadlines.
- Developed compliant, well-structured proposals in accordance with bidding requirements.
- Organized proposals and documents on SharePoint and Google Drive for easy access.
- Engaged clients to collect feedback and refine consulting strategies accordingly.
Teacher (High School Special Education-English)
Public Schools
Chicago and Fairfax , Illinois and Virginia
08.2015 - 06.2019
- Served as a Special Education Teacher in various districts, for Public Schools, Charter Schools, and Private schools.
Remote Proposal Writer/Coordinator
Various (Freelance/Assignment Basis)
Chicago, Illinois
05.2015 - 05.2019
- Analyzed RFPs to summarize requirements, supporting proposal managers effectively.
- Coordinated with SMEs to collect content and planned meetings for proposals.
- Provided assistance to proposal managers through copy-editing and compliance reviews.
- Developed task lists for RFPs, delegating assignments to team members.
- Helped track daily operations for busy managers, ensuring efficient task scheduling and duty assignments.
- Organized meetings across various time zones and took meeting notes.
- Documented issues discussed during meeting notes and distributed them to team members post-call.
- Collaborated with technical teams to compile necessary proposal information.
- Copy-edited work from SMEs to provide to proposal managers when required. Conducted one-on-one meetings when necessary to clarify content.
Education
Master of Arts - Grants Management And Evaluations
Concordia University
River Forest, IL12-2020
Managing Federal Proposals (In-Person) -
Shipley Associates
Herndon, VA09-2019
Effective Grant Proposal Writing, 8-week Course (Online) - Grants
Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business
Notre Dame, IN05-2019
English - Special Education - General Curriculam K-12 -
Collegiate Professional License, Virginia
01-2019
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature/Secondary Education
North Park University
Chicago, IL05-2015
Skills
- Proposal management
- Proposal coordination
- Proposal writing
- Grant writing
- Grants management
- Compliance review
- Scorecard proposals (substantiation, documentation, packaging)
- Content development
- Attention to detail
- Proofreading
- Deadline oriented
- Teamwork
- Training for new staff
- Dedicated
- Strong work ethic
Languages
Arabic
Professional
Timeline
Proposal Specialist
Credence Management Solutions, LLC
07.2023 - 12.2025
Proposal Support/Marketing Manager
FedMira
01.2022 - 06.2023
Consultant
Various Employers (Freelance Basis)
01.2020 - 02.2021
Teacher (High School Special Education-English)
Public Schools
08.2015 - 06.2019
Remote Proposal Writer/Coordinator
Various (Freelance/Assignment Basis)
05.2015 - 05.2019
Master of Arts - Grants Management And Evaluations
Concordia University
Managing Federal Proposals (In-Person) -
Shipley Associates
Effective Grant Proposal Writing, 8-week Course (Online) - Grants
Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business
English - Special Education - General Curriculam K-12 -
Collegiate Professional License, Virginia
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature/Secondary Education
North Park University