Color Teams & Independent Assessments
What Are Color Teams?
Color teams are independent review teams that evaluate proposal content before submission. Each team focuses on different goals during the development cycle. These reviews help your team see the proposal from the customer’s point of view, then suggest fixes from an internal lens.
Pink Team Review
The Pink Team acts as your first formal review. It focuses on storytelling, compliance, and early quality checks. They review annotated mockups (AMUs). Reviewers ensure the win strategy is clear, the content aligns with the RFP, and graphics support the message. They offer specific suggestions for improvement based on a structured checklist.
Red Team Review
The Red Team takes a deeper look. This is your final internal check before submission. Red Team members simulate the customer’s review process. They point out gaps and weaknesses, then shift roles to recommend clear, actionable fixes. This step ensures your technical, management, and cost volumes align and tell a persuasive story.
| Review | Participants | Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| Pink Team review | External team | • Check if the proposal tells a winning story • Audit compliance with RFP requirements • Identify unsupported claims and missing elements |
| Red Team review | External team | • Confirm full compliance with the solicitation • Score the proposal against evaluation criteria • Assess clarity of themes and messages |
Independent Color Team Support
We provide expert reviewers and leads for Pink and Red color teams. Our professionals bring experience in proposal writing and subject matter expertise. We review every volume; executive summary, technical, management, and cost.
We also offer early gap assessments to set your proposal on the right path. Our support helps you meet every requirement and communicate value clearly.
How the Color Team Review Process Works
To get the most value, prepare your color teams with the right materials:
- Read-ahead packages (including the RFP and win strategy)
- A clear briefing on program goals, competition, and hot buttons
- Defined review assignments and criteria
This preparation ensures meaningful results. The effectiveness of color teams depends not just on expert reviewers, but on giving them the tools to succeed.
