Summary: This is Steve with GopherHaul. Check out the GopherHaul video show on youtube and download Gopher Lawn Care Business Software at http://www.gophersoftware.com I am here today with Keith Harper of www.StartALawnCareBusiness.com A recent question on the Gopher Lawn Care Business forum had to do with bidding government mowing contract. Keith has experience bidding and winning large scale government contracts and he is willing to share some advice on the procedure. GH: Keith, how does a lawn care company go about finding which contracts they might want to bid on? SALCB: There are four primary avenues to finding contract on which to bid. 1) Newspapers: Many local governments have a set schedule to place public notices in the newspaper classified section. Normally they are placed Mondays or Wednesdays. Keep an eye on your local newspaper in the classifieds section under the "Public Notices" heading. 2) Purchasing Departments: For anyone wishing to bid on a contract it is imperative for them to get their name known at their local purchasing department. Many smaller contracts are knows as "no bid contracts." The threshold of when a contract is no-bid depends on the contracting agency. Often, any job under $250 can be a no-bid contract. The purchasing department is your primary source for this information. 3) Bidding Lists: Bidding list are handled through the purchasing department. A contractor requests being put on a bidding list. He will normally sign an acknowledgement that he has read a statement of conduct outlining the basic regulations of bidding jobs. 4) Agency Website: Most government agencies now put their contracts up for bid on their websites. Do not rely on any one of these avenues. An LCO should follow through with each one. GH: You mention Purchasing Departments. Where do you find the purchasing department?
