Feature Deep-Dive
Compliance Matrix
The govcon compliance matrix tool that automates requirement extraction, categorization, and real-time tracking — so you never miss a requirement again.
What is a compliance matrix in government contracting?
A compliance matrix is a structured table that maps every requirement in an RFP, SOW, or solicitation to your proposal's response sections. Under FAR Part 15 (Contracting by Negotiation), government evaluators use compliance matrices to verify that offerors have addressed all requirements — including L (instructions to offerors), M (evaluation criteria), C (compliance/technical), and J (attachments) sections. A well-built matrix ensures nothing is missed and provides full source traceability for government review.
How compliance matrices are typically built — and why it hurts
Traditionally, teams build compliance matrices manually: reading hundreds of pages, copy-pasting requirements into spreadsheets, and manually linking each to proposal sections. This process is time-consuming, error-prone, and disconnected from the proposal. When RFPs are amended, matrices drift. When writers change content, nobody updates the matrix. ProposalMatrix automates this end-to-end.
- Manual extraction leads to missed requirements
- Spreadsheets drift from proposal content
- No single source of truth for coverage
- Amendments require re-reading and re-mapping
How ProposalMatrix automates compliance matrix creation
Upload RFP/SOW documents
Upload PDF or Word solicitation documents. ProposalMatrix ingests multi-file RFPs and processes them in one workspace.
AI extracts requirements
Using Textract for document parsing and LLM-based extraction, ProposalMatrix identifies discrete requirements and categorizes them by type (L, M, C, J per FAR Part 15).
Hierarchical requirement structure
Requirements are organized with parent-child relationships, mirroring the solicitation structure. Section-to-requirement mapping is preserved for clear assignment and tracking.
Source traceability
Every requirement links back to the exact page and section in the RFP. Government evaluators expect this; ProposalMatrix delivers it automatically.
Real-time compliance tracking
Once the matrix is built, ProposalMatrix tracks compliance as your team writes. Coverage percentage updates across all requirements. Section-to-requirement mapping shows which sections address which requirements. Each row has a compliance status: compliant, partial, non-compliant, or not addressed. Assignees are tracked per row so proposal managers know who owns each requirement.
- Coverage percentage across all requirements
- Section-to-requirement mapping
- Compliance status per row (compliant, partial, non-compliant, not addressed)
- Assignee tracking per compliance row
Integration with the proposal workflow
The compliance matrix is not a standalone artifact. Requirements flow from the matrix into section assignments. Writers see mapped requirements while editing, so they know exactly what to address. When they save, ProposalMatrix runs a compliance check and flags any uncovered requirements. The matrix and proposal stay in sync throughout the lifecycle.
Export for government review
Excel export
Export the compliance matrix to Excel (.xlsx) — the standard format government evaluators expect. Includes requirement text, section mappings, compliance status, assignees, and source references, ready for submission with your proposal.
Compliance matrix FAQs
Common questions about compliance matrices in government contracting
Stop leaving compliance to chance. Start using ProposalMatrix.
Government proposals are won on compliance and lost on missed requirements. ProposalMatrix gives your team AI-powered compliance tracking, evidence-backed drafting, and structured Shipley review workflows to submit compliant, competitive proposals — every time.