The SF330 (Standard Form 330) is a cornerstone document for firms competing on federal architecture, engineering, and related professional services contracts in the U.S. This guide explains how to master the SF330, from structure to strategy, so your team can stand out, stay compliant, and save time. Plus, how modern tools like Flowcase can dramatically improve how you manage resumes and project experience for this crucial proposal format.
What is the SF330 and Why It Matters
The SF330 is a standardized form used by the U.S. government to evaluate firms competing for federal A/E (Architecture and Engineering) contracts. It’s the federal way of asking: “Who’s on your team, and what have they done?”
Whether you’re bidding for contracts through the Army Corps of Engineers, GSA, or state DOTs, the SF330 serves as your professional firm’s resume and it’s how you showcase your people and your past work.
But here’s the catch: it’s incredibly time-consuming to get right. Many firms still handle it manually, piecing together Word docs, outdated resumes, and disconnected case studies from SharePoint and email threads. That’s a problem.
Who Must Submit an SF330?
The SF330 is required for any firm seeking federal A/E contracts, including:
- Architecture firms bidding on federal building projects
- Civil engineering consultancies for infrastructure work
- MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) engineering firms
- Environmental consulting and remediation companies
- Landscape architecture and planning practices
- Construction management firms on federal projects
When Is SF330 Required?
SF330 is mandatory for all federal A/E procurements over $25,000 under the Brooks Act (Public Law 92-582). You'll typically submit it during the qualification-based selection (QBS) phase—before any price negotiations begin. Common agencies requiring SF330 include:
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
- General Services Administration (GSA)
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
- National Park Service
- State DOTs using federal funding
SF330 vs SF254: What's the Difference?
Don't confuse SF330 with SF254, they serve different purposes
- SF254: Your firm's general "resume" submitted annually to get on agency rosters
- SF330: Project-specific qualifications submitted for active RFPsThink of SF254 as your LinkedIn profile, and SF330 as your tailored cover letter and resume for a specific job application.
Think of SF254 as your LinkedIn profile, and SF330 as your tailored cover letter and resume for a specific job application.
How to Complete the SF330: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Review the RFP Thoroughly (Week 1)
Before touching the SF330, read the entire solicitation document carefully:
- Note evaluation criteria and their weights
- Identify required certifications and qualifications
- Mark submission deadline, format requirements, and page limits
- Highlight key project requirements (scope, budget, location)
Step 2: Complete Part II First
Your general qualifications (Part II) rarely change. If you haven't updated it in the last year, do this first:
- Update firm profile and history
- Verify all office locations and contact information
- List professional services your firm offers
- Include representative projects from the last 5 years
- Update key personnel and organizational structure
Once Part II is current, you can reuse it for multiple opportunities without changes.
Step 3: Select Your Team (Week 2)
Choose team members whose experience directly matches the RFP requirements:
- Project manager with similar project experience
- Principal-in-charge with oversight on comparable work
- Discipline leads with required licenses
- Subconsultants filling capability gaps
- Choose people who've worked together successfully before.
Step 4: Choose Example Projects (Week 2)
Select up to 10 projects that:
- Match scope, size, and complexity of this opportunity
- Feature your proposed team members
- Were completed within last 3-5 years
- Demonstrate capabilities mentioned in the RFP
Relevance beats size. Don't just pick your 10 biggest projects.
Step 5: Tailor Content (Week 3)
Customize materials for this specific opportunity:
- Resumes: Emphasize experience relevant to this RFP (2-4 hours each)
- Project descriptions: Focus on your role and measurable outcomes
- Certifications: Gather current licenses and insurance
- References: Verify contacts will respond positively
Step 6: Complete Sections (Week 3-4)
Fill out the form systematically:
- Section C: Proposed team members
- Section E: Tailored resumes (1-2 pages each)
- Section F: Project descriptions with photos
- Section G: Matrix linking team members to projects
- Section H: Strategic narrative on QA/QC, collaboration, approach, differentiators
Step 7: Quality Control (Final 48 Hours)
Before submitting, verify:
- All dates accurate, projects within required timeframe
- References verified
- No typos or formatting issues
- File size under limit (typically 50MB)
- PDF format, not password-protected
- All certifications attached
- Org chart matches Section C exactly
- Section G matrix complete
The Two Key Parts of SF330
The form is split into two main sections:
Part I – Contract-Specific Qualifications
This section is where most of the action happens. It’s your chance to tailor your team and project experience to the opportunity. It includes:
- Section A: Contract Information
- Section B: Your firm's key details
- Section C: Proposed team members
- Section D: Organizational chart
- Section E: Resumes of key personnel
- Section F: Example projects (up to 10)
- Section G: Matrix linking staff to projects
- Section H: Additional information, often where you differentiate
Part II – General Qualifications
Think of this as your firm’s master file. It’s broader and not tailored to any one RFP. Most firms keep this updated annually.
Why Firms Struggle with SF330 Submissions
- Manual Processes: Most firms are still chasing resumes and case studies from project managers via email or digging through SharePoint.
- Version Confusion: Different people, different formats, outdated files—leading to inconsistency and compliance risks.
- Formatting Pain: The SF330 requires a strict structure and format, and aligning everyone’s resumes and projects to that is tedious.
- Last-Minute Rushes: With tight deadlines, bid teams often scramble to collect, tailor, and proof materials—leading to stress and lower quality.
- Repetitive Work: Proposals often reuse the same people and projects. Without smart systems, teams recreate the wheel every time.
What Great SF330 Submissions Have in Common
Tailored Resumes (Section E)
Winning submissions align every resume with the opportunity at hand. This means:
- Highlighting relevant past roles and certifications
- Emphasizing experience with similar project types
- Maintaining a consistent, clean format
Strategic Project Selection (Section F)
Rather than listing your 10 biggest projects, top firms choose projects that:
- Match the scope and complexity of the RFP
- Showcase team members included in Section E
- Reflect recent, relevant experience
Cohesive Storytelling
Section H is often overlooked, but it's where your firm can:
- Reinforce your differentiators
- Address evaluation criteria (e.g. quality control, scheduling)
- Demonstrate team cohesion and collaboration
How to Streamline SF330 Creation (Without Sacrificing Quality)
Here’s what modern, successful teams do differently:
1. Centralize Resume and Project Data
Build one structured system where all staff bios and past work are stored, searchable, and always up-to-date. This eliminates time spent tracking down documents and ensures consistency.
2. Use an SF 330 Templates
Create a master SF330 template that includes all compliance requirements and formatting rules. Then tailor each submission with only the content that matters.
3. Make Information Instantly Reusable
If you’ve used a resume or case study before, you shouldn’t have to re-create it from scratch. The right tools make reuse simple, and more importantly, smart—by automatically matching bios and projects to the RFP’s requirements.
4. Automate Version Control
Keep a single source of truth so you know you’re using the right resume version for each opportunity. Eliminate back-and-forth edits over email or Excel.
See how Flowcase streamlines SF330 creation:
A Better Way to Manage Resumes and Project Experience
Let’s be honest: the SF330 is only as strong as your data. If your resumes are outdated or your case studies aren’t relevant, your submission suffers—no matter how sharp your formatting.
That’s where Flowcase comes in.
Flowcase is the Proposal Enablement Platform designed to help A/E/C and professional services firms:
- Keep resumes, bios, and projects structured and up-to-date
- Instantly tailor experience to each SF330 submission
- Eliminate the formatting chaos with templates and automation
- Ensure brand and compliance consistency every time
Why Flowcase Works for the SF330
Here’s how Flowcase aligns perfectly with the needs of SF330 submitters:
Common Mistakes Firms Make—and How to Avoid Them
SF330 Frequently Asked Questions
How long should an SF330 submission be?
Part I typically runs 20-50 pages depending on team size. Section H alone can be up to 5 pages. There's no official length limit, but evaluators favor concise, relevant submissions. Every page should clearly demonstrate why your team is the best choice.
Can I use the same SF330 for multiple opportunities?
Part II (general qualifications) can be reused, but Part I must be tailored to each specific RFP. Never submit a generic SF330, agencies can tell immediately, and it significantly hurts your score. Customize resumes, project examples, and Section H for every opportunity.
How recent should my project examples be?
Focus on projects from the last 3-5 years. More recent work demonstrates current capabilities. Projects older than 5 years are acceptable only if they're exceptional matches. If all examples are 7+ years old, evaluators may question whether you're currently active in this type of work.
What file format should I submit?
Most agencies require PDF format. Ensure your file is not password-protected, under the size limit (typically 50MB), and named per agency requirements (often "SF330_FirmName_SolicitationNumber.pdf"). If too large, compress images rather than removing content.
Do my subconsultants need their own SF330s?
This varies by agency. Some want one consolidated SF330 with subconsultant information integrated. Others require separate SF330s from each firm. Always check the RFP instructions—they'll specify the format required.
How often should I update Part II?
Update at minimum annually, or immediately when key personnel change, you complete major projects, licenses change, or company structure shifts. Maintaining current Part II saves 2-3 weeks during proposal rushes.
What's the most common mistake?
Using generic, boilerplate resumes that aren't tailored to the opportunity. Every resume in Section E should emphasize experience relevant to this specific RFP. For highway projects, highlight DOT work. For hospitals, emphasize healthcare experience. Tailoring takes time but dramatically improves scores.
Can I exceed the page limit for Section H?
Never exceed specified page limits. Agencies will stop reading after page 5 or deduct points for non-compliance. If you have 7 pages of content, cut it to 5. Focus on quality, every sentence should support why you should win.
Bonus: What to Include in Section H (If You Want to Win)
Section H can be the difference between making the shortlist or not. Use it wisely to:
- Demonstrate your QA/QC process
- Highlight team collaboration and communication
- Address any “special considerations” the agency mentions
- Reinforce your differentiators (e.g. minority-owned, LEED experience, DBE certification)
Final Thoughts: The SF330 is Hard. But It Doesn’t Have to Be.
Winning government contracts isn’t just about qualifications—it’s about showing them clearly, quickly, and convincingly. That’s what the SF330 is for. And that’s why getting your resume and experience management right is so critical.
With Flowcase, bid teams stop wasting time on the admin work and start focusing on strategy—putting their best people and most relevant experience forward every single time.
Want to make SF330 submissions faster, smarter, and easier?
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