From a six-step form to a fixed-bid SOW: how our intake works
by Green Dolphin Software, Integration practice
Most consulting engagements start with a discovery call and a vague proposal weeks later. Ours starts with a short form and ends with a fixed-bid SOW in three business days. Here is exactly what happens in between.
1. You describe the integration — answer what you know
The intake is six quick steps: the systems, the data, direction and volume, the deliverable, the platform and compliance constraints, and budget/timeline. The key part: answer what you know and pick "Not sure" for the rest. The technical decisions — auth method, sync strategy, error handling, platform selection — are our job, not yours.
2. We read it back, with an estimate
The moment you submit, you see a plain-language confirmation of what we captured plus an estimated engagement tier, so you know the scope landed correctly. Behind the scenes the same submission is triaged — drivers like systems, volume, compliance, and deliverable map to a likely tier — and it reaches a solutions architect immediately.
3. A fixed-bid SOW + target-state architecture — within 3 business days
You get a fixed-bid statement of work and a target-state architecture diagram. No hourly meter, no scope ambiguity. Engagements start at a $25,000 floor and scale in $25K increments, so you know the number up front.
4. We build it — and you can monitor progress
Once you approve, the work begins. Create an account and your proposal and project documents are shared securely in your portal, so you can follow progress rather than wait for status emails.
The whole point is to compress weeks of back-and-forth into a single submission and a fast, concrete proposal. If you have an integration in mind, tell us about it — three business days from now you could have a real plan.