5. Submitting messy government bids. Just as you wouldn't send a coffee-stained business card to a potential client, you should not submit a proposal that is unprofessional in style or appearance. Before you seal the envelope, double-check your document for typos, blank pages, unnumbered or mis-numbered pages, smudges, rips and poor grammar.

6. Having preconceived notions about what specific government agencies need. Don't knock yourself out of consideration by assuming a government agency doesn't need your products. You never know: the City of Seattle may, in fact, be looking for scuba equipment. Contact the government agency before you decide. Businesses are often pleasantly surprised by what agencies will buy.

7. Focusing on frills rather than fundamentals. Instead of putting all your effort into dazzling government buyers with your marketing flair, you should concentrate on making your proposal or bid rejection-proof. Begin by responding to each and every requirement in the government solicitation. This makes it impossible for the agency to reject you for being non-responsive to the solicitation. Next, make sure your proposal offers a clear and well thought-out solution that will solve the problem at hand while calling attention to the direct benefits of your proposal. This makes it impossible for the agency to reject you for being not as qualified as other bidders, and the client cannot reject your bid on the grounds that you will not add value to the contract. Finally, make sure you firmly follow the rules of government bids and government proposals.

8. Not allowing enough time. When it comes to government bids and government proposals, the clock starts working against you from day one. Not only will you need time to check and recheck your documents, but you'll also need time to read any agency-specific rules and regulations and other information that will help you write your submission. Most importantly, you'll want to begin calculating the time and materials you will need to fulfill the government contract. You'll need this information to determine your bid price -- a vital part of the proposal. Finally, make sure you allow enough time for your proposal to reach the agency office before the deadline.