RFP Sections
Introduction
To help teams manage the complexity of the design challenge, the Request for Proposal (RFP) is divided into key sections.
Each section represents a major component of the settlement design, and each typically corresponds to a department within your company.
Although divided, these sections are deeply interconnected: design choices in one area often affect many others.
Successful teams see the RFP as a unified system, not a checklist. You can find a sample RFP here.
Structural Design
Role
Designs the physical form of the settlement — the geometry, layout, structure, and overall external configuration that every other department will rely on.
Key Responsibilities
Define the settlement’s structure and shape
Provide dimensions and volumes to all departments
Select structural materials
Assist other departments with integrating their systems
Skills
Spatial reasoning • Physics • CAD or drawing • Creative problem solving
Strategy
Start early and communicate clearly. A strong structural concept becomes the backbone of the entire design; unclear or rigid structures often derail teams. Ensure your materials, dimensions, and artificial-gravity solutions are established early so other groups can work confidently.
Operations & Infrastructure
Role
Ensures the settlement can function day to day — from power and life support to logistics and internal processes.
Key Responsibilities
Provide power, life support, and utilities
Develop procedures for operation and maintenance
Ensure the settlement can fulfil its mission
Integrate all technical systems into a functioning whole
Skills
Logistics • Planning • Detail orientation • Systems thinking
Strategy
Stay updated with every department’s changes — Operations touches everything. Mathematical models, mass/power budgets, and clear assumptions will save huge amounts of time as designs evolve throughout the day.
Human Factors Engineering
Role
Ensures the settlement is safe, humane, and comfortable for every resident — the “people first” department.
Key Responsibilities
Protect physical and mental wellbeing
Design living, recreation, and work spaces
Plan internal layout and zoning
Mitigate risks from industrial or hazardous areas
Skills
Design • Psychology • Maths • Communication
Strategy
Work closely with Structures from the beginning to avoid clashes in space, volume, and layout. Human Factors slides should be the most visually compelling section of the presentation — judges care deeply about resident safety and quality of life.
Mission Systems Engineering
Role
Integrates the core systems needed for the settlement to achieve its purpose and ensures mission/RFP-specific goals are met.
Key Responsibilities
Define the systems needed to reach and maintain operating capacity
Ensure core functions work together coherently
Innovate processes that increase efficiency over time
Prepare contingency and emergency response plans
Skills
Logical thinking • Planning • Problem solving • Attention to detail
Strategy
Mission Systems is the “glue” between all technical groups. Work concurrently with every department, keep assumptions flexible, and ensure that every subsystem contributes to the larger mission and RFP objectives.
Business & Marketing (schedule/costing)
Role
Demonstrates that your design is feasible, financially realistic, and professionally presented.
Key Responsibilities
Compile and structure the final presentation
Translate technical work into a coherent story
Estimate costs, schedule, and implementation plans
Address any commercial or strategic goals in the RFP
Skills
Organisation • Estimation • Communication • Storytelling
Strategy
Embed team members within departments to track costs and timelines while designs evolve — not afterwards. Your slides should tell a clear, persuasive story that links every design decision to mission needs, cost realism, and the overall vision.
Final note
The RFP is your roadmap. Departments organise the workload — but the real strength of your company comes from communication between departments, flexibility, and shared ownership of the design.