If you're part of a sales, proposal, or business development team, you already know that responding to RFPs can be a growth engine. But what happens when the funnel starts to dry up? Many teams struggle not because they can't win RFPs—but because they aren't seeing enough of them in the first place.

Here's how to expand your RFP pipeline with smarter, more scalable prospecting tactics.

1. Use RFP Aggregators and Bid Portals

Sites like GovWin, BidSync, RFPDB, and others are designed to centralize thousands of open RFPs across industries and regions. Investing in a subscription can save hours of manual searching while keeping your team informed about new opportunities.

2. Set Up Smart Alerts and Filters

Whether you're using a paid platform or Google Alerts, create keyword-based searches around your niche, product category, and ideal customer profile. Use terms like "RFP for [industry] software" or "Request for Proposal [service]." Smart filters ensure your team only gets relevant opportunities.

3. Tap Into Your Existing Network

Ask your current clients, partners, and industry peers if they know of upcoming opportunities. Many RFPs are shared first within networks or pre-RFP conversations. Being part of early-stage discussions gives you a competitive edge.

4. Monitor Procurement Sites of Target Accounts

Create a list of your ideal clients and regularly check their procurement or vendor pages. Many organizations publish RFPs directly, and some allow vendor registration for future alerts.

5. Automate Competitive Intel

Track competitor activity through tools like Owler, LinkedIn, and industry newsletters. If a competitor just won a large contract, there's a good chance a similar RFP went out—or another might be coming.

6. Leverage AI Tools for Discovery

AI-powered sales intelligence platforms can help you surface RFPs faster, analyze which ones are worth your time, and even forecast upcoming opportunities based on market signals. This is where automation becomes a strategic advantage.

7. Don't Overlook Niche Sources

Some of the best-fit RFPs never make it to the big platforms. Trade associations, regional business journals, and local government bulletins often publish unique opportunities. Subscribe to their newsletters or use RSS readers to stay in the loop.

Final Thought: More RFPs, Better Wins

Finding more RFPs isn't just about volume—it's about targeting the right opportunities efficiently. With smarter tools and a repeatable system, your team can spend less time hunting and more time winning.

What's Next?

Now that you've scaled the top of your funnel and are identifying great RFPs to target, you're ready to tackle the response portion of the RFP process. Get more info here about Settle, the #1 AI Proposal Management tool on the market. Let automation handle the noise so you can focus on strategy.