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I am currently editing a $3.5 million proposal for counter terrorism
research. The document is approximately 60 pages including graphs (task
& org. charts) and colored graphics. We are preparing this for
the Office of Special Technologies (government agency) in Maryland. After
reading the proposal, they will then submit it to the Defense Special
Weapons Agency (DSWA) in Washington, DC. Instead of using the plain
white paper that's in our printer, we would like to print it on something
nicer (heavier weight, different color, etc.). We don't know if the
people receiving the proposal are going to "bean count" or actually be
impressed by the fancy paper, graphs, etc. but we would like to be
prepared. We are also trying to make our documents look more professional.
Any suggestions on paper weight and color considering our audience?
don't waste your proposal on fancy paper. They might not bean count, but
most of those people don't realize the value of paper grades and colors
look very unprofessional to gov. types. If you must, do only the cover in
a heavier weight. This is a proposal, and the content is most important.
Devote your extras to a really good abstract and introduction that will
make the defense dept. read the whole thing carefully. I write a lot of
proposals, some for my own dept., some for other people. It appears to me
that those receiving the proposals have a preconceived notion most of the
time. If your proposal intro and abstract reflects that notion, it gets
more attention, even if it is written on copier grade paper. And, if you
are proposing something different, a new idea, the paper grade will not
cause people to read. Your proposal needs to be written so well, especially
at the beginning, that people are compelled to read through the entire
document. good luck. Marilyn
Marilyn Barrett O'Leary
Louisiana Sea Grant College Program
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA
moleary -at- lsuvm -dot- sncc -dot- lsu -dot- edu
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