> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.meritmatch.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Upload an opportunity: PWS and SOW parsing

> Upload a Performance Work Statement, Statement of Work, or RFP to start a pursuit or attach source material to an existing opportunity.

When an agency sends you a Performance Work Statement, Statement of Work, draft RFP, or related requirements document outside of a formal SAM.gov posting, you can upload it to MERIT instead of starting from a blank pursuit. MERIT helps you start the opportunity record from the document and keeps the source file with the pursuit for team reference.

There are two upload flows:

* **Create a new pursuit from the pipeline board** — drop a SOW or RFP on the board, review the extracted opportunity details, then create the pipeline card.
* **Attach a document to an existing pursuit** — open the opportunity workspace or Staffing area, upload the SOW, and review any staffing details MERIT can identify.

## Supported file types

For best results, use documents with selectable text. MERIT supports:

* **PDF** — the most common format for government PWS and SOW documents
* **DOCX** — Microsoft Word documents
* **TXT** — plain text requirement documents

<Note>
  Legacy `.doc` files are not supported. Save the file as DOCX or PDF before uploading.
</Note>

## What MERIT helps you review

MERIT uses the document to prepare a draft you can review before saving. The exact fields depend on where you upload the file.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Pipeline board upload">
    MERIT prepares opportunity details such as title, customer, NAICS code, requirement summary, priority, status, and role. You review and edit these fields before the pursuit is created.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Existing pursuit upload">
    MERIT saves the document to the opportunity and can help identify staffing details for your team to review in Staffing.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

Keeping the source document attached gives your team a shared reference as the pursuit moves forward.

## Uploading a document

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the pipeline board">
    Go to your MERIT dashboard and open the **Pipeline** view.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add your document">
    Drag a SOW or RFP onto the board, or use the **Drop SOW / RFP here** upload control. Pipeline-board uploads accept PDF, DOCX, or TXT files up to 25 MB.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for parsing">
    MERIT shows a processing modal while it reads the document. Processing time depends on file length, file quality, and whether text can be extracted cleanly.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the output">
    MERIT opens **Confirm Opportunity Details** with the extracted opportunity details. Review the **Title**, **Customer**, **NAICS Code**, **Primary Requirement**, **Summary**, **Priority**, **Status**, and **Role**. You can edit these fields before saving.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the pursuit">
    Click **Create Opportunity**. MERIT adds the pursuit to your pipeline and stores the uploaded document with the new record.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Uploading to an existing pursuit

Once an opportunity exists, you can attach or replace its SOW from the workspace. This keeps the source requirement available to your team and can support Staffing review.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the opportunity workspace">
    Open the pursuit from your pipeline and stay on the **Overview** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use SOW Upload">
    Find **SOW Upload**, then drag in a file or click **Select File**. Existing pursuits accept PDF, DOCX, or TXT files up to 25 MB.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review staffing details">
    If MERIT identifies staffing roles, review them in Staffing and adjust the plan as needed.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Replace the file when needed">
    If a revised SOW or RFP arrives, use **Replace SOW** from the workspace upload card.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## After upload: what happens in your pipeline

Uploaded SOWs remain attached to the opportunity record. The file helps your team keep the pursuit grounded in the source requirement as you move through qualification, capture, proposal, and staffing work.

<Tip>
  Use upload for industry day documents, draft PWS releases, and RFI attachments — not just final solicitations. Getting requirements into MERIT early gives your team more time to qualify the pursuit and prepare the work.
</Tip>