Short answer: help with a single federal bid costs anywhere from $0 to $25,000. Free advisors explain the process but don't write anything. Software costs $50 to $500 a month, but you still do the writing. Flat-fee services prepare the whole package for roughly $500 to $3,000. Proposal consultants charge $3,000 to $25,000 or more for large, complex proposals.
Here is what each option costs, what you actually get, and which one fits which kind of bid.
Your options compared
| Option | Typical cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| APEX Accelerators (government-funded counselors) | Free | Advice, training, registration help and bid reviews. They won't write or assemble your bid. |
| Freelancers (Upwork, Fiverr) | From about $10 for a few pages to several thousand dollars | Writing only. Quality and federal know-how vary widely; you check compliance yourself. |
| Bid-search and AI software | About $50 to $500 a month, or $500 to $2,500 a year | Finds bids and drafts text. You still read the specs, fill in the forms, price and assemble. |
| Flat-fee bid services | About $500 to $3,000 per bid | A finished, compliance-checked package for a known price. You set the price, sign and submit. |
| Proposal consultants and retainers | $3,000 to $25,000+ per proposal, or monthly retainers | Senior writers for large best-value proposals with long technical volumes. |
Ranges from published prices on competitors' sites, checked October 2026. Examples: one flat-fee service lists one proposal at $699 and two at $999; one bid-matching tool is $250 a month; a bid-search tool is $49.99 a month; a contract database starts at $500 a year.
Our prices
- Quick Quote, $495: small quotes on an SF-18 or SF-1449, where price and a few requirements decide the award.
- Full Bid, $950: a standard solicitation with forms, wage-rate pricing sheet, amendments, representations and a short technical write-up.
- Major Proposal, from $2,950: best-value proposals with technical and past-performance volumes.
- Monthly Plan, $1,950 a month: up to 4 Full Bids or 8 Quick Quotes.
Every tier includes a win analysis: what similar contracts were awarded for, and how many offers they drew. You pay for your first bid only if you submit it. Full details are on the pricing page.
Why you shouldn't pay a percentage of the contract
Some helpers ask for a cut of the award, such as 5%. On a $200,000 contract that's $10,000, against a flat fee of $950. Fees tied to winning a federal contract can also raise problems under the government's contingent-fee rules (FAR 3.4), and contracting officers may ask about them. A flat fee agreed upfront avoids both problems.
What should never cost money
- SAM.gov registration. It's free, and free help exists. GSA warns businesses about companies that charge for it or look official. See how to register, step by step.
- Finding open bids. SAM.gov is free to search, and our job board lists every open federal opportunity in plain English, free.
- Small-business certifications (WOSB, HUBZone, veteran-owned, 8(a)). You apply to the SBA at no cost.
Which option fits your bid
- First bid, small job, tight on cash: start with an APEX counselor and our free guides. If time is the problem, a Quick Quote costs less than a day of your own work.
- A standard bid you'd like to win: a flat-fee Full Bid. You get a complete package and keep control of the price.
- A large best-value proposal: a Major Proposal or a senior consultant, depending on size.
- Bidding every week: a monthly plan or software, depending on whether you have someone in-house to do the writing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to have a government bid prepared?
Flat-fee services charge roughly $500 to $3,000 per bid. Seal the Bid charges $495 for a Quick Quote, $950 for a Full Bid and from $2,950 for a Major Proposal.
How much do government proposal writers charge per hour?
Freelance proposal writers commonly charge from about $50 to over $150 an hour. Experienced federal proposal managers sit at the top of that range. A flat fee per bid is easier to budget.
Is there free help with government bids?
Yes. APEX Accelerators and Small Business Development Centers give free advice and training, and SAM.gov registration is free. They don't prepare the bid for you.
Who submits the bid?
You do. Your company sets the price, signs and submits. We prepare everything up to that point.