Here are a few resources to help you unravel the mystery of this often confused topic. BLUF: Paul Heron nails it.

APMP
Proposal Guide: Compliance vs Responsiveness (pdf)
APMP Podcast (mp3)

Shipley
Proposal Guide: Compliance and Responsiveness (pdf)

Paul Heron's Clear Thinking
Bid Proposals / Complex vs. Responsiveness 

GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) is developing a next generation contract vehicle for complex professional services.

This contract vehicle addresses agencies' needs for professional service requirements that: 1) span multiple professional service disciplines; 2) Involve significant IT components, but aren't IT requirements; 3) Require flexibility for all contract type task orders and other direct costs at the task order level; 4) Are difficult to specify or quantify prior to award; and 5) Create an environment of elevated risk due to their unanticipated nature.

Did you attend the May 13th OASIS Industry Day? Slide decks are now available for both large and small businesses.

https://interact.gsa.gov/document/oasis-industry-day-slides-available

Additional info:

• GSA OASIS Program Overview - Jim Ghiloni 29 OCT 2013
  
• GSA OASIS Overview - Jim Ghiloni - JULY 2013
  
• GSA OASIS SB Industry Day Presentation - Jim Ghiloni - MAY 13 2013
  
• GSA OASIS Draft Q and A Final Recs - MAY 2013
  
• GSA PreSolicitation Meeting Transcript - 15 MAY 2013
  
• GSA OASIS - Coalitition for Govt Procurement - NOV 2012
  
• Intro to GSA OASIS - Todd Richards - MAY 2012
  
• Intro to GSA OASIS - Jim Ghiloni - 18 APR 2012
  

Follow the GSA OASIS Blog: https://interact.gsa.gov/group/oasis-industry-community

This memo builds on Office of Federal Procurement Policy's (OFPP) “Myth-Busting” memorandum issued on January 2, 2011 and describes steps taken to improve communications between Federal agencies and the vendor community.

These two myth-busting memos are essential reading for those in government contracting, especially if you are new to the federal business environment.

A discussion of the Federal Acquisition Regulations and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement (FAR and DFARS) with a focus on Intellectual Property (IP) in Contract Negotiations with Prime Contractors and the Government. 
© 2013 Witten Law, Ltd.

The purposes of this OMB memorandum are to:

1) Identify common misconceptions about vendor engagement that may be unnecessarily hindering agencies’ appropriate use of the existing flexibilities, and provide facts and strategies to help acquisition professionals benefit from industry’s knowledge and insight;

2) Direct agencies to remove unnecessary barriers to reasonable communication and develop vendor communications plans, consistent with existing law and regulation, that promote responsible and constructive exchanges; and

3) Outline steps for continued engagement with agencies and industry to increase awareness and education.

Mark Amtower, author of the book, "Selling to the Government" shares the six myths business people should never fall for, when in comes to the federal government. Mr. Amtower has advised companies big and small on how to work best with the feds. Now he shares his secrets on Capital Insider.