Gov Contracting 101

Barnrat

New member
Hi Phil,

I co own a new pressure washing company in Northern Virginia. We are looking for direction in how to begin to bid and win contracts from local governments and school systems. We are also new members to the UAMCC and are really looking forward to learning from the guys here that have been making it happen year after year. We started in August of last year and are really looking forward to having a great "Full" season in 2014!

All that being said,
What would be the direction we need to take to climb the learning curve with contract bidding?
Are there any resources you would recommend?
What are some of the mistakes we can avoid early?

Any other tips and info you could provide is greatly appreciated!

Thanks and have a great New Years!!
 
Thanks Ron, I've been perusing some of your videos on youtube. Great stuff on the unsolicited bids!
 
It sounds like you want to do business with local municipalities. If you do, you need to find out where their bid lists are, and get registered with them to be an approved vendor. Then, nearly every municipality has a website where they post items going out for bid, and you need to get on that website, and check it weekly to make sure that you see everything coming across the pike.
 
It sounds like you want to do business with local municipalities. If you do, you need to find out where their bid lists are, and get registered with them to be an approved vendor. Then, nearly every municipality has a website where they post items going out for bid, and you need to get on that website, and check it weekly to make sure that you see everything coming across the pike.

Yep....+100
 
i don't know a thing about gov contracts but from what I've read you are on the right track with the need for education for you're customer base. blogging is a great start (something I'm just startingmyself) i personally feel YouTube is a great great tool. my one shaky YouTube vid with 32views out ranked my website by a mile in the search results right off the bat. make some good YouTube videos with relevant keywords in the description and title

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Yes, under a certain threshold, they can just hire someone.
As for education, you will need to find someone in the department that has decision making authority, and talk to them. ALSO most purchasing departments have open hours when anyone can come talk to the purchasing agents. Just call their offices and find when those hours are. You might be surprised at how knowledgable the purchasing agents really are.
 
Yes, under a certain threshold, they can just hire someone.
As for education, you will need to find someone in the department that has decision making authority, and talk to them. ALSO most purchasing departments have open hours when anyone can come talk to the purchasing agents. Just call their offices and find when those hours are. You might be surprised at how knowledgable the purchasing agents really are.
 
Why do these city's call me Scott?

I never bid, I charge trip and hour they pay. Is the money allocated different ?


Feb Event Houston free free text me for more details !!
If the projects are under their threshold of costs to bid most municapalities do not have to go out to bid. We work for many towns around. Most of them have a $1000 threshold.
 
In my area the thresholds are much higher. There are many times that I am told "our limit is x amount of dollars, so that is all we can pay" when the actual value, and what I charge them is half. I may have a screwy business model, but I will only charge people a fair value, and because of that, I think my customers are more willing to return and use me in the future.
 
In my area the thresholds are much higher. There are many times that I am told "our limit is x amount of dollars, so that is all we can pay" when the actual value, and what I charge them is half. I may have a screwy business model, but I will only charge people a fair value, and because of that, I think my customers are more willing to return and use me in the future.

That's not screwy, that's a sustainable model. Plus 1,000.
 
Just contacted my local purchasing manager for the city today and got some good info from her. I never see anything close to pressure washing come up on the bid lists so I gave her a call to inquire about purchase limits and whatnot. Come to find out they only put projects over $100,000 up for bid through that system.

-Over $100,000, online public works bid system.
-$10,000-$100,000, facility manager is required to obtain 3 bids from contractors of choice.
-Under $10,000, facility manager can just hire a contractor of choice.

They have no formal vender database, said they hope to within 1.5yrs. I get the feeling it is still a "good ol' boy" system where their friends and family are the ones getting work requests. I sent her over a nice email with my company info.....we will see if it goes anywhere.
 
Sorry for the late response, just found this thread.

Your original question would take a book to answer. We just gave a class on this in Houston two weeks ago and just touching the surface our class lasted over an hour.

For starters, I agree it the responses above. Get to know your local buyers and find out how they advertise their bids. Register with your state, county and local municipalities so they know who you are. Go talk to the government agencies that need pressure washing services and show them what you can do for them.

I can then help you if you have specific questions about the process.
 
Just contacted my local purchasing manager for the city today and got some good info from her. I never see anything close to pressure washing come up on the bid lists so I gave her a call to inquire about purchase limits and whatnot. Come to find out they only put projects over $100,000 up for bid through that system.

-Over $100,000, online public works bid system.
-$10,000-$100,000, facility manager is required to obtain 3 bids from contractors of choice.
-Under $10,000, facility manager can just hire a contractor of choice.

They have no formal vender database, said they hope to within 1.5yrs. I get the feeling it is still a "good ol' boy" system where their friends and family are the ones getting work requests. I sent her over a nice email with my company info.....we will see if it goes anywhere.
Calvin did you get answers yet?
 
Great info...
I must say Phil and Scott nailed it in Houston. Excellent presentation and very informative. My bid was submitted today and regardless if I get it, I would like to say THANK YOU !

Goodluck Igor!
 
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