Editing Your Outline

Overview

The Outline tab is where you shape your proposal before and after GovDash writes it. Set section types, page limits and structure, edit generated content and use Dash to make changes faster. To guide what GovDash writes in each section, see Writing Plans, Focus Documents and Citations.

Click through the interactive walkthrough below to see how to review your outline, ask Dash to make edits, set section types and page limits, and edit section details.

Section Controls

At a glance, GovDash provides controls right within your outline to control the order of sections, section types, page limits, and more.

By clicking on the name of a section, you unlock the ability to create writing plans, adjust instructions and task areas assigned to the section, upload contextual Focus Documents to a specific section, and more.

Once the section editor is open, use the Previous section and Next section arrows at the top of the Edit Section Details panel (to the left of the View sources button) to step through your outline in table-of-contents order without closing the editor. Hover an arrow to see the name of the section it will take you to. The arrows are greyed out when you reach the first or last section of your outline.

Section Content Editor

Once your proposal has been generated (or individual sections have been generated), you are able to see the generated content for your proposal right within GovDash. As an indicator for which sections you will be able to see content for, check the Status column for the status

Your team can collaborate and edit proposal content here using the rich text editor, and once you download the proposal, those content changes will be present in your downloaded proposal.

Section Types

Section types directly influence the way GovDash will structure and write the section content. GovDash will automatically determine these while generating your outline, but we recommend double checking to make sure these align with the section’s theme and purpose. Using the tabs below, you can see what section type is best to use in what scenario, as well as an example of what it will look like.

Narratives

Forms

Past Performance

Key Personnel

Pricing

Supplemental

Section Type	Description/When To Use	Generated Example (Click to Enlarge)
Narrative	Description: Generate a narrative response to address ITO and PWS/SOW citations. This is the most common content type. When to use: Sections that need to address task areas and instructions, such as technical volumes, pricing sections, capabilities, etc.	See Language Types Section
Cover Letter	Description: Creates a cover letter. When to use: In some situations, solicitations may require a cover letter and request specific information in that letter. Using the Cover Letter Section Type creates a cover letter.
Corporate Experience	Description: Generates a corporate experience narrative using selected past performances. When to use: When the solicitation requires you to detail corporate experience.

Section Type

Description/When To Use

Generated Example (Click to Enlarge)

Narrative

Description: Generate a narrative response to address ITO and PWS/SOW citations. This is the most common content type.

When to use: Sections that need to address task areas and instructions, such as technical volumes, pricing sections, capabilities, etc.

See Language Types Section

Cover Letter

Description: Creates a cover letter.

When to use: In some situations, solicitations may require a cover letter and request specific information in that letter. Using the Cover Letter Section Type creates a cover letter.

Corporate Experience

Description: Generates a corporate experience narrative using selected past performances.

When to use: When the solicitation requires you to detail corporate experience.

Section Type	Description/When To Use	Generated Example (Click to Enlarge)
Form	Description: Prompts you to fill out and attach a form. When to use: GovDash identifies the form and provides a reminder to ensure that it is attached appropriately as part of your final submission. However, it does not complete the form for you. You are responsible for filling out the form based on the solicitation's requirements and inserting it where indicated.
Form Field	Description: Generate a concise and short answer response typically for form fields (e.g. UEI, DUNS Number, addresses, etc) or short answer questions (e.g. YES/NO responses, or a few sentence responses). When to use: If the section contains fields that need to be filled out (like company details, UEID, CAGE code, etc.), yes or no responses, etc.

Section Type

Description/When To Use

Generated Example (Click to Enlarge)

Form

Description: Prompts you to fill out and attach a form.

When to use: GovDash identifies the form and provides a reminder to ensure that it is attached appropriately as part of your final submission. However, it does not complete the form for you. You are responsible for filling out the form based on the solicitation's requirements and inserting it where indicated.

Form Field

Description: Generate a concise and short answer response typically for form fields (e.g. UEI, DUNS Number, addresses, etc) or short answer questions (e.g. YES/NO responses, or a few sentence responses).

When to use: If the section contains fields that need to be filled out (like company details, UEID, CAGE code, etc.), yes or no responses, etc.

Section Type	Description/When To Use	Generated Example (Click to Enlarge)
Past Performances	Description: This section type sets up the overall layout for your past performance section. It acts as a container for each individual past performance you’ll include. When to use: Use this section type to set up your past performance section overall. See our guide here for more information on this.	N/A
Past Performance - Title	Description: This section type will insert the title of your selected past performance into the outline. When to use: This is already included in Past Performances section types and does not need to be used on its own.
Past Performance - Narrative	Description: A narrative section that utilizes the past performance(s) attached to the section. When to use: Sections that need to address instruction and PWS requirements. Utilizes language types for additional control over the writing style.
Past Performance - Form Field	Description: Generate a concise and short answer response typically for form fields (e.g. award value, teaming partner names, etc.) or short answer questions (e.g. YES/NO responses, or a few sentence responses). When to use: If the section contains fields that need to be filled out within a form (award values, specific values, specific names, etc.), yes or no responses, etc.
Past Performance - Relevance to Task Areas	Description: A narrative-like section that aligns the task areas in the PWS to the work performed in the selected past performance. When to use: Sections that need to align the capabilities/past performance to task areas in the PWS.
Past Performance - Contract Information Table	Description: A table that displays contract information for the selected past performance(s). When to use: When a contract table is required to show contract values such as titles, recipient names, award values, contract types, etc.

Section Type

Description/When To Use

Generated Example (Click to Enlarge)

Past Performances

Description: This section type sets up the overall layout for your past performance section. It acts as a container for each individual past performance you’ll include.

When to use: Use this section type to set up your past performance section overall. See our guide here for more information on this.

N/A

Past Performance - Title

Description: This section type will insert the title of your selected past performance into the outline.

When to use: This is already included in Past Performances section types and does not need to be used on its own.

Past Performance - Narrative

Description: A narrative section that utilizes the past performance(s) attached to the section.

When to use: Sections that need to address instruction and PWS requirements. Utilizes language types for additional control over the writing style.

Past Performance - Form Field

Description: Generate a concise and short answer response typically for form fields (e.g. award value, teaming partner names, etc.) or short answer questions (e.g. YES/NO responses, or a few sentence responses).

When to use: If the section contains fields that need to be filled out within a form (award values, specific values, specific names, etc.), yes or no responses, etc.

Past Performance - Relevance to Task Areas

Description: A narrative-like section that aligns the task areas in the PWS to the work performed in the selected past performance.

When to use: Sections that need to align the capabilities/past performance to task areas in the PWS.

Past Performance - Contract Information Table

Description: A table that displays contract information for the selected past performance(s).

When to use: When a contract table is required to show contract values such as titles, recipient names, award values, contract types, etc.

Before you generate Relevance to Task Areas sections: GovDash writes a Past Performance - Relevance to Task Areas section only when at least one contract pinned to it has content in its Past Performance Write-up beyond the scope description. If none do, GovDash won't draft the section. Instead, it adds a short note that names the contracts, with a link to each contract's Deliverables tab. Add deliverables, CPARs, or a past performance write-up to the contract, then regenerate the section.

Section Type	Description/When To Use	Generated Example (Click to Enlarge)
Labor Category Table	Description/When to use: Creates a table of labor categories which relates key personnel experience to labor category requirements.
Emphasize Key Personnel	Description: The Emphasize Key Personnel section type focuses primarily on the resumes and qualifications of the selected key personnel. When to use: This section is ideal for addressing solicitation requirements that prioritize highlighting the expertise, experience, and roles of key team members.
Key Personnel Resume	Description/When to use: Generates a resume of selected key personnel within the section that details their LCAT experience and match status.

Section Type

Description/When To Use

Generated Example (Click to Enlarge)

Labor Category Table

Description/When to use: Creates a table of labor categories which relates key personnel experience to labor category requirements.

Emphasize Key Personnel

Description: The Emphasize Key Personnel section type focuses primarily on the resumes and qualifications of the selected key personnel.

When to use: This section is ideal for addressing solicitation requirements that prioritize highlighting the expertise, experience, and roles of key team members.

Key Personnel Resume

Description/When to use: Generates a resume of selected key personnel within the section that details their LCAT experience and match status.

Section Type	Description/When To Use	Generated Example (Click to Enlarge)
Pricer Only	Description: Generates pricing content (rates, ODCs, indirect rates, cost basis) sourced only from your Pricer workbooks. Nothing is drawn from solicitation documents or the Data Library. When to use: Sections that ask for your price, cost, or rates, or the justification behind them. For example: a Price or Cost Volume, Pricing Narrative, Basis of Estimate, Cost Breakdown, Indirect Rates, Other Direct Costs (ODCs), Travel Costs, Labor Rates, or Total Evaluated Price. GovDash automatically assigns this type to these sections when generating your outline. Don't use it for technical or management sections that only mention cost efficiency or affordability.

Section Type

Description/When To Use

Generated Example (Click to Enlarge)

Pricer Only

Description: Generates pricing content (rates, ODCs, indirect rates, cost basis) sourced only from your Pricer workbooks. Nothing is drawn from solicitation documents or the Data Library.

When to use: Sections that ask for your price, cost, or rates, or the justification behind them. For example: a Price or Cost Volume, Pricing Narrative, Basis of Estimate, Cost Breakdown, Indirect Rates, Other Direct Costs (ODCs), Travel Costs, Labor Rates, or Total Evaluated Price. GovDash automatically assigns this type to these sections when generating your outline. Don't use it for technical or management sections that only mention cost efficiency or affordability.

How Pricer Only sections are generated

Every price, rate, cost, quantity, and pricing assumption in a Pricer Only section comes from the Pricer workbooks on the opportunity. GovDash reads your labor rates, indirect rates, ODCs, travel, materials, cost basis, basis of estimate, and workbook totals, then writes the section as the price narrative you'll submit to the government evaluator.

Solicitation documents are only used to understand what the section needs to cover, such as required CLINs, pricing format, and how price will be evaluated. They are never used as a source for figures. Because the figures come directly from your Pricer, they're stated plainly and don't receive inline citations.

Before you generate: Run Pricer for the opportunity first. If no Pricer workbook has been started, GovDash won't draft the section. Instead, it adds a short placeholder with an Open Pricer link. From Pricer, either choose Fill with Market Data from the actions menu to have GovDash populate labor rates, hours, and ODCs from market data, or enter your rates, indirect rates, and ODCs manually. Then regenerate the section.

Missing figures: If your workbook has some pricing but is missing a specific figure the section needs (for example, a fully burdened rate for one labor category, or ODC costs by option year), GovDash won't estimate it. Instead, it writes the sentence around a {{NEEDS_SUPPORTING_EVIDENCE: ...}} placeholder that describes the exact figure needed, so your pricing team can fill it in. Search your generated content for NEEDS_SUPPORTING_EVIDENCE before downloading your proposal.

How do Writing Plans and Solution answers affect Pricer Only sections?
They carry less weight than they do in narrative sections. Pricing figures always come from the Pricer, so the Solution tab and Writing Plans can't introduce or override numbers. Use them to guide pricing strategy, rationale, and emphasis (for example, “highlight our low indirect rates” or “explain the basis for the travel estimate”). Any figures they contain must match your Pricer workbooks, and if they don't, the Pricer wins. To change a number in a generated section, update the Pricer workbook and regenerate.

Section Type	Description/When To Use	Generated Example (Click to Enlarge)
Volume	Description: Designates the start of a volume When to use: At the beginning of a volume. This controls your ability to download the individual volume in our By Volume download section.
Cover Page	Description: Creates a cover page. When to use: Some solicitations require specific information to be included on a Cover Page. This is when you would use the Cover Page Section Type in GovDash. In cases where the required information is not part of your standard template, GovDash facilitates compliance by identifying the necessary details and labeling them as Cover Page content, allowing you to provide the required information seamlessly.
Table of Contents	Description: Generate a table of contents. When to use: If a table of contents was not generated in your initial outline, you can insert this section.
Glossary	Description: Generate a full list of acronyms used within the proposal. When to use: If you’d like GovDash to automatically generate a list of acronyms that were used, along with their definitions, you can insert this section.

Section Type

Description/When To Use

Generated Example (Click to Enlarge)

Volume

Description: Designates the start of a volume

When to use: At the beginning of a volume. This controls your ability to download the individual volume in our By Volume download section.

Cover Page

Description: Creates a cover page.

When to use: Some solicitations require specific information to be included on a Cover Page. This is when you would use the Cover Page Section Type in GovDash. In cases where the required information is not part of your standard template, GovDash facilitates compliance by identifying the necessary details and labeling them as Cover Page content, allowing you to provide the required information seamlessly.

Table of Contents

Description: Generate a table of contents.

When to use: If a table of contents was not generated in your initial outline, you can insert this section.

Glossary

Description: Generate a full list of acronyms used within the proposal.

When to use: If you’d like GovDash to automatically generate a list of acronyms that were used, along with their definitions, you can insert this section.

Language Types

Language Types allow you to directly influence the verbiage and tone GovDash uses within Narrative Section Types. Highlighted below are our available language types and best practices on when to utilize them.

Language Type	Description	When to Use
Plain Language	Answers plainly. Commonly used in "Executive Summaries" and pricing sections.	When you want to convey information in a clear, direct manner.
Technical Approach	Writes content as if this section belonged to a "Technical Proposal Volume".	When you want to convey precise and detailed information. This combination is ideal for presenting complex concepts or technical details, ensuring clarity and accuracy while maintaining a professional tone.
Capability to Perform Task Areas	Write content using your capabilities, with less technical detail.	When you want to effectively convey your company's capabilities to perform specific tasks outlined in the Scope of Work with less technical detail. This is ideal for providing a high-level overview of your expertise, focusing on the value your company delivers without delving into intricate technical details.

Page Limits

Every section in your outline has a single Page Limit. The Page Limit controls how much content GovDash produces for that section. On parent sections, it also acts as the page budget for everything nested beneath it.

Note: Page Limit replaces the previous Page Limit and Page Target pair. Sections no longer have a separate Page Target field.

Setting a page limit

You can set a page limit three ways:

In the outline: click the value in the Page Limit column for any section and enter a number.
In the section editor: open a section and update the Page Limit field.
In bulk: select multiple sections and use Quick Actions to apply a page limit to all of them at once.

Budget progress bars

Parent sections display a progress bar beneath the section showing how many pages you have allocated across its child sections compared to the section's page limit, which typically reflects the government-mandated maximum from the solicitation.

If your allocated pages exceed that limit, the page limit field is highlighted and a warning indicator appears next to it. Hover the indicator to see the government-mandated limit you are over by. Use this as a quick compliance check before you start generating content.

Locking a page limit

Lock a section's page limit to protect it from being changed when you redistribute pages. Click the lock control on a page limit and choose:

This section only: locks the selected section and leaves its children eligible for redistribution.
This section and all children: locks the selected section and everything nested beneath it.

Locked sections are excluded from auto-allocation. Unlock a section at any time using the same control.

Redistributing Pages Across Sections

The Redistribute pages control, shown as a scales icon next to a parent section, automatically allocates that section's page budget across its child sections. Click it to open the Auto-allocate menu and choose how the pages should be spread.

Allocation methods

Balanced allocation: splits available pages evenly across eligible child sections, or removes pages evenly when you need to come back under budget.
Weighted allocation: scales each child section up or down in proportion to its current page limit, so sections that already carry more pages keep a larger share.

Greyed out sections are not supported by auto-allocation, please adjust manually.

When redistribution is unavailable

When redistribution cannot run, the scales icon is greyed out with a strikethrough. Hover it for the reason:

All available pages are already allocated.
The difference must be at least one page to redistribute (more than 0.75 of a page).
There are no eligible unlocked sections to receive pages (or to remove pages from).
Eligible unlocked sections do not have enough pages to remove.
Save this new section before redistributing pages.
Wait for section processing to finish before redistributing pages.

Adjust the parent section's page limit, unlock a child section, or wait for saving or processing to finish, then try again.

Writing Plans, Focus Documents and Citations

In the section editor, you can also add a Writing Plan, upload Focus Documents, change the solicitation citations, view sources and regenerate the section. Each of these is covered in Writing Plans, Focus Documents and Citations.

Managing Sections and Subsections

Within the outline editor, you can quickly create new sections, subsections, and change their order.

You can freely move any section or subsection by clicking and dragging anywhere on the section itself.

To create a new section, click the New Section button in the top right of the outline editor. In the Add Section window, enter a Section Name, choose a Section Type and, if needed, a Page Limit, then click Create Section. You can then drag the new section where you want it.

New Section button in the outline editor

You can create new subsections under any section by either clicking and dragging a section onto another section (or subsection), or clicking the actions menu to the right of the section, and selecting New Subsection from the menu. The same menu also has Clone Section, which makes a copy of the section.

Deleting sections can be done through this menu, or by clicking the boxes to the left of your sections and clicking the red trash can icon in the black bar that appears.

Section Number Heading Preview

By enabling the TOC Preview toggle within the More drop down in your outline, you can preview the outline structure by numbered heading levels.

Does this affect my downloaded proposal?
The preview toggle within the outline does not impact your downloaded proposal. This is a visual preview within GovDash and will not change the numbering structure you may have within your company template. It will not override any custom settings you have within your template.

Undo/Redo

Using the undo/redo arrows located at the top of your outline, you can undo and redo certain actions taken within your outline. These actions include:

Creating new sections/subsections
Deleting/bulk deleting sections
Moving the order of sections
Modifying the sections such as changing the name, page limit, section type, review status, language type (doesn't include reviewers or selected instruction/task area citations)
Bulk modifying page limit, section type, and language type

Utilizing Dash for Outline Editing and Insights

Using Dash within your outline allows you to get deeper insights into your outline sections, compliance requirements, creating and editing outline sections, and more.

Simply open Dash within your outline and you can begin asking Dash questions like:

Add a Table of Contents section under Volume I
Perform a compliance crosswalk of my outline and highlight any missing sections
Adjust the page limit of [Section Name Here] to 5
Remove all Glossary sections from my outline

Dash is able to review the solicitation package to do tasks like double checking your outline, answering questions about why specific sections were included, and explaining the structure and requirements. You can speak to Dash like you would a teammate!

When asking Dash to make specific changes to your outline, you’ll be able to confirm and verify the change before it’s actually made.

Visual indicators make every change traceable:

Green: New sections
Yellow: Edited sections
Cyan: Moved (while retaining all citations and changes made to the section) sections
Violet: Copied (while retaining all citations and changes made to the section) sections
Red: Deleted sections

Bulk/Quick Actions

When selecting sections within your outline, you can utilize the Bulk/Quick Actions within the black bar at the bottom of the outline page to quickly set page limits, section types, language types, and more with the click of a button. This greatly speeds up outline adjustments without having to go through section-by-section.

Downloading Your Outline

To download your annotated outline, click Actions at the top of your proposal and select Download Outline. In the Customize Outline Download window, choose what to include, then click Download:

Use a formatted table: Lays out your outline as a table.
Content Options: Writing Plan, Instructions, Citations and Evaluation Criteria.
Data Options: Section Type, Page Limits, Page Targets and Reviewers.

Download Outline in the Actions menu and the Customize Outline Download window

Reprocessing Your Outline

If you would like GovDash to reprocess your outline at any time (either due to adding or removing solicitation package documents, or adjusting document types), click the Re-process Outline button in the Solicitation tab of your proposal, under the Solicitation Package area to start the process.

Please Note
Re-processing your outline will overwrite your existing outline, as well as writing plans.