Getting City Contracts; Local Government Contracting

All cities have a purchasing office and/or a procurement officer. They handle all city contracts that are sent out to bid. Usually, to become a small business vendor of the city you must satisfy either some or all of the requirements listed below:

Minority Or Woman Owned Business

Small Business (Under $500,000/Year Gross)

Worker's Compensation Insurance (If Employees Work On Contract)

Liability Insurance Of $500,000-1,000,000 Aggregate With The City As Additional

Insured (For Autos And Completed Operations) (finish products liability)

City Business License

Local Business In Town

Hire Local Employees

Not all contracts are sent out to bid however. Some of the gravy contracts are ad-ons, additions or "Oh, by the way," contracts. The latter of which are by far the best. These contracts come up often. Here's how its works. Now for this example lets use a cleaning service:

The city manager comes up with an idea. He's seen you out at the corporation yard cleaning cars with your high-pressure machine. He needs you to clean the bird droppings off a flagpole in front of city hall, frontage of the library and awnings around the civic center. You work out a price at $100/hour once a week. Since this is out of their budget, they settle on every other week. You adjust the price to $120/hour. Then as you do the job, you figure out a way to do it in one-half the time ($240/hour).

You then donate $30-50 in coupons to his kid's school, rotary club and whatever church he and the current mayor attend. First you have to get a city contract. Bid low. It's worth it. This is how it really works, no matter what the rest of the world says. Government is no different or anymore ethical than rat living at the dump. If you are wondering why all the same companies get all the city's business, it is because they understand how it all works. It would be nice to have a more honest government at all levels, but since you can provide great services to the city and you deserve the business, you may as well get out there and go get it. It is not good or bad, it just is; it is much different than they teach you in school. Maybe some day it will be; one can only hope. Think about it.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs

---

Online Search: Small Businesses Level The Playing Field

Seventy percent of US households use the web when shopping... Read More

Building Your Business for Success in 2005

It's a strange anomaly.Most people who set out to start... Read More

Start a Resume Writing Service for Profit

The resume writing service serves an important role in the... Read More

Small Business Franchise Opportunities

Many businesses offer small business franchise opportunities. There are many... Read More

Book Yourself Solid Key #5: Go Forward With Gusto & Articulate What You Do

Want your small business to flip instead of flop?! Statistically... Read More

Boat Cleaning Business Case Study: Entrepreneurship 101

How do marine type businesses start? Have you ever thought... Read More

SBIR vs STTR

SBIR vs. STTR: If you are participating in the SBIR... Read More

Operational Aspects on P and L Statements of Mobile Services Businesses

What kinds of things effect mobile service businesses P and... Read More

Presentations and Sales Automotive Detailers

Many auto detailers fall short in their sales presentations. I... Read More

Understanding Franchise Releationships in a Franchised Business

Now that you have invested your time, energy and money... Read More

Business Pain Defined

Every company has business pain, but the pain does not... Read More

50 Ways to Save Money

There are countless ways to save your business money. Unfortunately,... Read More

Dealing With a Crooked on the Take Government Worker

Many government department heads are on the take. Oh they'll... Read More

Not Listening Can Hurt Your Small Business

Most small business owners seek advisors who can help them... Read More

Genius Time? It Matters

I frequently give presentations at small business gatherings, providing me... Read More

Outsourcing ? A Positive Approach For Small Businesses

Outsourcing is the strategic use of outside resources to perform... Read More

Effective Customer Interviews Make Life Much Easier!

One of the critical success factors for service-related businesses is... Read More

Where to Find a Cash Windfall of $10,000 to $1,000,000 -- You Never Knew You Had

There is a rather famous true story called "Acres of... Read More

Is Your Business Legally Prepared?

It is imperative to have your business legally prepared. How... Read More

Patient Records - Your Responsibilities

As a practise gets larger & larger the associated problems... Read More

Accounting Methods ? Cash and Accrual

When starting a business, you have to determine the method... Read More

Retail Customer Opportunities for Pressure Washing Companies

Pressure washing companies must look for customers in the retail... Read More

Expand Your Professional Organizer Business

Grow your Professional Organizer business by branching out into related... Read More

Excuses Franchisees Make; When They Violate Exclusive Territory Agreements

One of the biggest excuses franchisees of home based and... Read More

Community Relations Strategy for Small Business

Does your company have a community relation strategy? Have you... Read More

Facts About Starting Elderly Group Home Businesses

There's been a recent rise in the number of elderly... Read More

Cleaning Grain Silos, Towers, Containers, and Combines

If you run a pressure washing company in a rural... Read More

Small Business Marketing Series ? Choosing a Niche Market

Many smaller businesses choose niche markets for various reasons and... Read More

Finding the PERFECT Alliance Partner

Where do you look for the appropriate alliance?One of the... Read More

How to Manage Your Pipeline

How is your pipeline structured?I assume most of you have... Read More

The Key to Creating Total System Empowerment

In this paper, I will:1. provide a framework for creating... Read More

The Care and Feeding of Your Small Business

While I was hard at work last week, an everyday... Read More

Dynamics of Daylight Savings Time on Service Businesses in the United States

The Dynamics of Daylight Savings Time changes the way we... Read More