/proposal-generation

name: proposal-generation
description: When a founder needs to create a sales proposal, statement of work, contract, NDA, or master service agreement. Activate when the user mentions proposal, SOW, quote, contract, NDA, MSA, or needs to formalize a deal.
related: [sales-script, cold-outreach]
reads: [startup-context]

Proposal Generation

When to Use

• Starting a new client engagement and need a contract or proposal fast
• Client asks for a proposal with pricing and timeline
• Partnership or vendor relationship requiring an MSA
• Protecting IP or confidential information with an NDA
• Need a Statement of Work with a deliverables matrix
• EU/DACH project requiring GDPR-compliant data clauses

Context Required

From `startup-context` or the user:

• **Document type** — Contract, proposal, SOW, NDA (mutual/one-way), or MSA
• **Jurisdiction** — US (Delaware), EU (GDPR), UK (post-Brexit), or DACH (German law)
• **Engagement type** — Fixed-price, hourly, or retainer
• **Parties** — Names, roles, business addresses
• **Scope summary** — 1-3 sentences describing the engagement
• **Financial terms** — Total value, hourly rate, or retainer amount
• **Timeline** — Start date, end date or duration, milestone dates
• **Special requirements** — IP assignment, white-label, subcontractors, exclusivity

Workflow

1. **Gather requirements** — Read startup-context if available. Collect all eight inputs listed above. Flag any missing item as REQUIRED. 2. **Select document type** — Match the engagement to the right format: fixed-price contract, consulting retainer, SaaS partnership, NDA, SOW, or full proposal. 3. **Apply jurisdiction rules** — Select clause variants based on governing law. US uses work-for-hire doctrine; EU requires explicit IP assignment deeds; DACH requires transfer of Nutzungsrechte since authors retain moral rights under BGB. 4. **Draft the document** — Fill all sections using structured Markdown with bracketed placeholders for client-specific data. Include the key clauses table below. 5. **Add GDPR addendum if needed** — For EU/DACH engagements handling personal data, attach a Data Processing Addendum per Art. 28 GDPR covering data categories, sub-processors, and cross-border transfer mechanisms. 6. **Review for common pitfalls** — Check for missing IP assignment language, vague acceptance criteria, no change order process, jurisdiction mismatches, and missing liability caps. 7. **Provide conversion instructions** — Include Pandoc commands for DOCX output with legal-style numbered sections.

Output Format

Deliver a complete document in structured Markdown containing: 1. **Header block** — Effective date, party names, addresses 2. **Services / scope** — Detailed deliverables with acceptance criteria and dates 3. **Payment terms** — Milestone-based, net-30, or retainer schedule with late payment interest 4. **Intellectual property** — Ownership assignment, pre-existing IP licenses, portfolio rights 5. **Confidentiality** — Duration (2-5 years standard, perpetual for trade secrets) 6. **Warranties** — As-is disclaimer or limited fix warranty (30/90-day) 7. **Liability cap** — 1x contract value standard, 3x for high-risk engagements 8. **Termination** — For cause (14-day cure) and for convenience (30/60/90-day notice) 9. **Dispute resolution** — Jurisdiction-appropriate arbitration (AAA/ICC/LCIA/DIS) 10. **Signature block** — Both parties with date lines

Frameworks & Best Practices

Key Clauses Reference

| Clause | Options | |--------|---------| | Payment terms | Net-30, milestone-based, monthly retainer | | IP ownership | Work-for-hire (US), assignment (EU/UK), Nutzungsrechte transfer (DACH) | | Liability cap | 1x contract value (standard), 3x (high-risk) | | Termination | For cause (14-day cure), convenience (30/60/90-day notice) | | Confidentiality | 2-5 year term, perpetual for trade secrets | | Dispute resolution | AAA (US), ICC (EU), LCIA (UK), DIS (DACH) |

Jurisdiction-Specific Rules

• **US (Delaware):** Work-for-hire doctrine applies under Copyright Act 101. Arbitration via AAA Commercial Rules. Non-competes enforceable with reasonable scope/time.
• **EU (GDPR):** Must include Data Processing Addendum for any personal data. IP assignment may require separate written deed. Arbitration via ICC.
• **UK (post-Brexit):** Governed by English law. IP under Patents Act 1977 / CDPA 1988. UK GDPR applies. Arbitration via LCIA Rules.
• **DACH:** BGB governs contracts. Written form required for certain clauses (para 126 BGB). Authors retain moral rights — must explicitly transfer Nutzungsrechte. Non-competes max 2 years with compensation required (para 74 HGB). Include Schriftformklausel.

Pricing Presentation Strategy

Present three tiers to anchor the prospect and make the middle option feel natural:

| | Starter | Recommended | Premium | |---|---------|-------------|---------| | Scope | Core deliverables | Core + integrations | Everything + custom work | | Best for | Teams getting started | Most teams | Enterprise needs | | Price | $X | $Y | $Z |

Always lead with value before cost. Show ROI math: "This investment of $X saves $Y, paying for itself in Z months."

SOW-Specific Guidance

A Statement of Work is operational, not persuasive. Key sections:

• **Deliverables table** — Each deliverable gets a row: description, acceptance criteria, delivery date
• **RACI matrix** — Roles and responsibilities for each workstream
• **Change management** — How to handle scope changes and the approval process
• **Payment schedule** — Tied to milestones, not just calendar dates
• **Assumptions** — Conditions the timeline and price depend on

Common Pitfalls

1. **Missing IP assignment language** — "Work for hire" alone is insufficient in EU; DACH needs explicit Nutzungsrechte transfer 2. **Vague acceptance criteria** — Always define what "accepted" means with written sign-off and rejection windows 3. **No change order process** — Scope creep kills fixed-price projec