Key Personnel

Key personnel are the specific individuals named in a proposal whose qualifications, experience, and expertise are considered essential to successful contract performance. The RFP typically specifies which positions are designated as key personnel and defines the minimum qualification requirements for each.

Key personnel are individually evaluated as part of the proposal assessment. Evaluators review their resumes, relevant experience, education, certifications, and availability. The strength of your key personnel can be a significant discriminator, particularly in best value procurements where technical excellence is weighted heavily.

Key personnel provisions typically include restrictions on substitution — the contractor cannot replace key personnel without the contracting officer's approval. This means the individuals you propose must be genuinely available and committed to the contract. Proposing strong key personnel who are unavailable at contract start is a common and costly mistake.