Opinion: The Force Multiplier Effect (And Why It Matters )

Matthew Costabile
Jul 10
4 min read

Updated: Aug 4

"What exactly is a force multiplier?" It's a question we hear constantly at industry events, in client meetings, and even from our own team members when they first join Mission Critical.

The question is understandable – in a market flooded with consultants, advisors, and strategists, all promising to help win alternative delivery pursuits, what makes a force multiplier different? For Mission Critical, the answer lies not in what we say, but in what we do.

Civil constructors new to the alternative delivery space often share the same challenge as nationally-ranked firms pursuing their next alternative delivery win: How do you transform years of technical expertise into a focused proposal that demonstrates best value, proves you understand the project's complexities, and differentiates you from equally qualified competitors—all within page limits and tight deadlines?

You need a force multiplier – and that's exactly what Mission Critical has been for over a decade.

Beyond Advice: The Strategist-Doer Approach

The alternative delivery market has room for many approaches. Ours is simple: We don't just advise. We execute.

When the Myers-Traylor JV needed to win Caltrans' first-ever Progressive Design-Build project – a $127M project that moved the the nation's largest DOT into a new method of delivery – they didn't need another consultant. They needed someone who could:

Lead the technical and narrative development
Coordinate between contractor and designer perspectives
Transform engineering concepts into agency-focused benefits
Prepare the team to engage authentically in high-stakes interviews

The result? A landmark win that's now influencing DOTs nationwide.

The Force Multiplier Effect in Action

Being a force multiplier means recognizing that every team has strengths and gaps. Our role is to provide targeted expertise exactly where those gaps could cost you the win – without overshadowing the capabilities that make your team the right choice:

When Relationship Building Evolves to Proposal Development - Your business development team has spent months positioning for the opportunity. The relationships are solid. The team is formed. Now comes an 80-page RFP requiring 60% design, detailed scheduling, and a fixed price – often with just 30-45 days to respond.

That's where we complement your BD team's strategic vision with specialized proposal execution – allowing them to maintain critical client relationships while we handle the intensive production demands of alternative delivery pursuits.

When Marketing Meets Technical Complexity - Strong marketing departments excel at brand and messaging while managing countless corporate priorities. Alternative delivery proposals demand something highly specialized: translating MOT phasing into community benefits, positioning means and methods as competitive advantages, making construction sequencing tell a story.

We bring this niche expertise to complement your marketing team's efforts – providing surge capacity for these intensive technical pursuits while your team maintains focus on broader organizational needs.

When Individual Expertise Needs Orchestration - In our 4-day Peak Preparation™ sessions, we've seen it repeatedly: talented professionals who know their work inside-out but struggle to convey it in the 90-second answers agencies expect.

Our role isn't to script responses – it's to validate capabilities and build the confidence that lets expertise shine through.

The Proof is in the Precedent

16 contractors with "first win" alternative delivery projects in their portfolio
First Progressive Design-Build project awarded by Caltrans
First and largest project award by USACE VIPR
Success across North America – from Puerto Rico to Vancouver, BC

Each represents not just a win, but a transformation – firms that now compete confidently in alternative delivery with the specialized knowledge and proven strategies gained through our partnership.

CASE STUDY: From Hard Bid to Alternative Delivery

The Opportunity

Reeves Construction, a COLAS company with decades of construction excellence, recognized the strategic importance of expanding into alternative delivery. When NCDOT released the $70M I-85/I-485 Interchange improvement as a CMGC project, Reeves saw the perfect opportunity to enter this growing market sector.

The Strategic Partnership

Reeves engaged Mission Critical to ensure their first CMGC pursuit showcased their strengths effectively.

Over the three-phase procurement, we:

Highlighted their proven construction expertise within the Design-Build framework
Demonstrated how their COLAS resources would benefit the project
Crafted technical narratives that resonated with NCDOT's evaluation criteria
Positioned their regional presence as a key project advantage
Prepared their team to excel in the interview process

The Result

Strategic expansion achieved. Reeves dominated both in the technical proposal and interview scoring—successfully positioning themselves for continued growth in the Southeast CMGC market.

Read our latest update on this project on LinkedIn.

Strategic Thinking. Tactical Delivery.

The best force multipliers are covert. We're here to amplify the brand your marketing team creates. We're here to execute on the strong relationships your business development team develops.

That's what being a force multiplier means. After 12 years of perfecting this approach, we've learned that our greatest impact comes from blending our alternative delivery expertise with your technical strengths to create one powerful voice that achieves the win.

About Mission Critical, LLC

Mission Critical, LLC is the leading Proposal Management consultancy specializing in the interface between civil infrastructure, alternative project delivery, and public works procurement.

We are the pivotal force behind teams winning their first qualifications-based procurements and strategic partners for Top 400 companies pre-positioning for their next MATOC, CM/GC, Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, or Best-Value Federal Pursuit.

Ready to multiply your alternative delivery success? Start the conversation with RoAnn Thorne, Managing Partner at Mission Critical on LinkedIn here

Read our 2024 Impact Report entitled Empowering Growth, Unlocking Potential
Find more information on Mission Critical's Accelerator 2025 program and Peak Preparation interview coaching practice on our website - www.thinkmc.com

Keywords: Design-Build proposals, CMGC proposals, Progressive Design-Build strategy, CMGC pursuit management, alternative delivery procurement, qualifications-based selection, proposal management services, Design-Build consultant, Progressive Design-Build, CMGC proposal support, interview preparation consultant