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
professional home cleaners Lake Forest ...There are only a handful of car wash franchises in... Read More
1. Resolve to build a consistent network system.Since referrals are... Read More
Marketing is one of the four corner-posts of a solid... Read More
There is a great deal of abuse going on in... Read More
A recent survey indicated that clean Taxi Cabs Fleets have... Read More
Where do you find more customers?How do you compete with... Read More
In a quest for customers and to keep those customers,... Read More
I propose this thought on the subject of Franchisee territory... Read More
There were only an estimated 1800 active franchisors in this... Read More
Here are some sound debt collection techniques that can be... Read More
Paper Shredding Business Opportunities are blossoming up everywhere because in... Read More
A Small Business Opportunities Magazine is one of the new... Read More
I meet and talk to hundreds and hundreds of business... Read More
There is a continual trend we are seeing which I... Read More
There is significant competition in auto detailing and car washing.... Read More
When a regulator finds a target to go after to... Read More
The revenue history is a vital piece of your power... Read More
I started working with another new client last week. He... Read More
Whether you operate a chain of restaurants, a mom-and-pop convenience... Read More
Often smart entrepreneurs look for out of the way businesses,... Read More
If you're just ramping up your small business email newsletter,... Read More
If you are a small business you know that you... Read More
Everyday, customers and business owners are bombarded with billboards, logos,... Read More
If you run a pressure washing business it is a... Read More
Incorporation in Nevada has become an attractive option for savvy... Read More
reliable maid service Wilmette ...Many of our nations 400,000 franchisees run their businesses out... Read More
Everyday, customers and business owners are bombarded with billboards, logos,... Read More
You've heard it before; we're living in an information age.... Read More
While driving through Pennsylvania farmland, you have probably noticed an... Read More
When do annoyances in a relationship become too much to... Read More
Most folks in the pressure washing business are happier to... Read More
Many mobile car wash operators would like to add de-ionized... Read More
What is the best time to expand a mobile car... Read More
Cash flow. To stay in business, you've got to keep... Read More
The way you manage your money is one of the... Read More
Would it help you as a real estate investor to... Read More
Your business is only as good as the number of... Read More
There are many little details that go into making sure... Read More
Where do you find more customers?How do you compete with... Read More
As an Investment Representative you've worked hard to build trust... Read More
The goals of businesses have undergone much evolution from the... Read More
Support is critical for your small business survival. You may... Read More
Outsourcing is the strategic use of outside resources to perform... Read More
Small business owners often enter their field with great expectations.... Read More
Every business plan book tells you how the Executive Summary... Read More
In the 2003 Auto Laundry News Survey it was determined... Read More
"So what?" is a lovely question.It can lead to a... Read More
Many investors and business ethics professionals are calling for more... Read More
How often has someone thought of starting a business based... Read More
Company mottos can easily be printed on a business card.Sometimes... Read More
Small Business |