GenAI 2.0 – The Next Leap in IT Services Proposal Automation

How Generative AI is evolving from content automation to intelligent solutioning in IT services.

The IT services industry is on the cusp of a groundbreaking shift—one that goes far beyond the current use of Generative AI (GenAI) for automating standard response writing. The next evolution of GenAI will not only transform how proposals are created but will fundamentally redefine how we interpret and respond to complex customer requirements.

Today, GenAI tools are already being leveraged by bid and proposal teams to auto-generate executive summaries, tailor boilerplate responses, and repurpose content libraries. While these capabilities have significantly improved speed and consistency, they only scratch the surface of what’s possible.

The Next Frontier: From Auto-Writer to Autonomous Thinker

Imagine a future where GenAI systems don’t just assist proposal writers—they become intelligent collaborators capable of interpreting the full scope of an RFP (Request for Proposal), identifying gaps or ambiguities, asking the right clarification questions, analyzing volumetrics, and even generating a tailored solution architecture and effort estimate. That future is rapidly approaching.

At the heart of this shift is a move from passive content automation to active solutioning intelligence.

Understanding the RFP End-to-End

Future-ready GenAI platforms will be capable of comprehensively reading and parsing entire RFP documents—including technical appendices, SoWs (Statements of Work), SLAs, and pricing tables. Instead of relying on manual tagging or human interpretation, the AI will:

• Extract requirements contextually across different sections

• Link dependencies and constraints scattered across the RFP

• Identify inconsistencies or missing information

This full-spectrum comprehension enables a much deeper level of engagement than current document search or summary tools provide.

Asking the Right Questions—Automatically

One of the key pain points in the bid process is the clarification stage. Often, crucial insights lie in what’s not written in the RFP. The next-gen GenAI models will be trained not just to answer questions but to ask them—a profound leap forward.

Based on its understanding of the RFP, GenAI will generate a list of clarification questions that help:

• Validate assumptions

• Seek missing volumetrics

• Understand integration points, user volumes, data flows, or legacy constraints

• Uncover risk areas or non-standard terms

These AI-generated questions will allow bid teams to be more proactive and precise in shaping their solutions.

Intelligent Solution Design

The true power of GenAI will be unlocked when it evolves from content generation to contextual solution generation.

Using RFP inputs and clarification responses, the AI will be able to:

• Map customer requirements to internal capabilities and solution components

• Design architecture diagrams or tech stacks aligned with customer preferences

• Propose delivery models and resourcing plans

• Recommend tools, frameworks, or accelerators based on industry best practices

Such a capability will empower bid teams to scale complex responses while maintaining high degrees of accuracy and alignment to client expectations.

Effort Estimation Based on Volumetrics

Perhaps the most impactful evolution will be GenAI’s ability to interpret volumetric data—such as the number of users, applications, interfaces, data size, ticket volumes, SLAs—and translate it into credible, defendable effort estimates.

By using historical project data, industry benchmarks, and internal delivery norms, GenAI will be able to:

• Calculate FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) requirements

• Suggest phase-wise effort splits

• Identify automation opportunities to reduce manual effort

• Provide multiple solution-costing scenarios

This kind of AI-led estimation will not only reduce the turnaround time for bids but also enhance pricing precision and margin predictability.

Business Impact: Speed, Scale, and Strategy

The convergence of these GenAI capabilities will result in a seismic shift in how IT service providers approach bids and solutions. Key benefits include:

• Faster Turnaround: What once took weeks can now be achieved in days—without compromising quality.

• Scalability: Teams can respond to more bids simultaneously, increasing win probability and market reach.

• Strategic Focus: By automating routine analysis and documentation, experts can focus on differentiation, innovation, and client engagement.

In essence, GenAI will allow organizations to spend less time on "how to respond," and more time on "how to win."

Challenges and the Human-AI Partnership

While the promise of GenAI is immense, it’s important to acknowledge that it won’t replace human expertise—it will augment it. Strategic thinking, client intimacy, cultural alignment, and storytelling remain fundamentally human skills.

The successful bid team of the future will be one where humans lead, and AI amplifies—working together to create faster, smarter, and more client-centric solutions.

Final Thoughts

The IT services industry is poised to enter the era of autonomous solutioning, powered by GenAI. This is not just about writing faster—it’s about thinking deeper, responding smarter, and delivering value at scale. For organizations ready to embrace this change, GenAI will be more than a tool; it will be a competitive differentiator in the high-stakes world of enterprise transformation.

Author: Samrat Biswas, Vice President and Head of Bid Management, Mphasis Limited