How to Bid on a Government Job
Government entities rely on work from private firms all the time. When doing so, the project committee knows exactly what it expects from contractors. It sends out a proposal bid invitation or announces the project is open for bidding. Offer quality work at a low price for your company to be competitive with government jobs. Include not only the monetary bid in your proposal but also a plan for how to get the work done, including time lines, crew needed and supply cost.
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Instructions
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Register with an intermediary company. These businesses offer fee-based consulting to help you get government contracts. The consultant evaluates your firm to gauge your Unique Selling Position (USP) in the industry—what you offer or do better than other companies. A consultant also will teach you how to align your strengths with the needs of the government job and direct you toward upcoming contracts while assisting in bid formation.
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Check for invitations for proposals or bid requests with government entities. Such organizations often advertise through FedBizOpps.gov and the U.S. Commerce Department’s Commerce Business Daily. Invitations and requests are also found on local, county, state and federal government websites.
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Contact a representative at the government agency for which you would like to place a bid. She will inform you of necessary paperwork for the job. Stay in contact and be cordial to the representative; staying in her good graces may help you obtain more government contracts.
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Complete required paperwork and submit your sealed bid to the government entity. If mailing the bid, do so well before the bid closing date to ensure it reaches the agency in time. Small businesses may be requested to complete the Certificate of Competency, available from the Small Business Association. Make sure your bid is competitive, as jobs are typically awarded to the lowest bidder.
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Wait to hear from the agency. All offers are opened at the same time and read aloud among a committee. An official will contact all bidders with the outcome.
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If you are awarded a contract, do the job to the best of your company's abilities. Bring a top notch crew, use high quality supplies. Complete the job early and under budget if you can. By performing superior work, you are more likely to get the next project you bid on.
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Tips & Warnings
Invitations for proposals and bid requests differ. A proposal is a "best bid" situation in that the agency is often looking for a company with a history of success and quality work; a bid request goes to the lowest bidder.
Always check references of consulting companies; many Internet consultants are scams.
References
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