Anybody ever propose a bid for a contract?

[Fzubek]

Sup fellow business bros... I recently started an LLC that ideally would perform security consultancy..

I found someone on CL to write most of the legal documents I needed, and gave me direction on everything I would have to pay for from the state to become legal. Now I just need to get clients.

I really have been trying to do this as cheaply as possible and havent wanted to turn to any kind of lawyer for help.

I have been able to use templates to create simple bids for security at apartment complexes and building sites.. and even though I have no idea what I am doing, nobody has had an issue with them.

However thats not what I created my business for, ideally I want to deal with chains such as Buy For Less, and Crest, grocery stores. I want to send a bid for a contract, but I really am at a loss as to how I should approach it and what I need to include so I dont look like a jackass... Anybody with any kind of advice or experience in this?

 

[Cool Hand Luke]

Long story short, yes.

 

[MARTIAN]

There's a couple lawyers that frequent the War Room, maybe someone could give you their names to PM. The only one I know of here in the 'Berry is Nonsense, but she's a Canadian Woman so I don't imagine she has the quality advice youre seeking

Good luck tho

 

[MARTIAN]

Long story short, yes.

You're so much cooler without the blue name

 

[Cool Hand Luke]

But I miss looking up IP addresses.

 

[minute bull]

iPad dresses?

 

[gocubsgo]

I have several clients that have entered government and municipal bids and I've ended up writing the contracts so I've seen my fair share of bids. I haven't seen any from security companies but I would imagine that stylistically they are not much different. Construction and demolition bids can actually be surprisingly simple. Many municipalities and large corporations even have standard bid forms that they have for bidders to fill out, instead of formulating their own. However, since you have started formulating your own and they have been successful in a smaller arena that you are hoping for, I would stick with roughly the same format. Bids do not have to be very complicated, just lay out the specifics and make it right to the point as far as costs and stuff.

You will also want to prove that you are licensed in whatever location you want to work and that you are a registered LLC in your state. You will want whatever company you use to know that you are insured so be prepared to provide proof of those kinds of things in your bid.

If I were starting out, I would contact someone in the corporate offices to find out if the individual stores are responsible for their own security or if it is contracted by the corporation. by far the most important thing is to make sure you are talking to the right people. Don't beat around the bush, just say you are a security company and you are inquiring into whether or not they are accepting bids. If not, ask them when their current contracts are due to expire or renew.

We have a lot of small business owners as clients and I do not envy you guys. You have to be super proactive and really go for it. Good luck man. I am an attorney BTW so feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

[Fzubek]

Great post cubs thanks! I approached it the way you described, hopefully I get a call or email back! Thanks bro!

 

[gocubsgo]

No problem! I hope everything works out for ya

 

[SMillard]

a lot of times the chain stores you are going after will have their own contracts that you just need to have someone review, I'd say don't go cheap on this, hire an attorney to review them. Once you get the hang of it you can start to review them yourself. Another way to go on contracts is to use a standard AIA form contract, it's pretty generic and leaves room for your own stipulations/special verbiage you might need.

I'm not an attorney but have done a ton of them for demolition/environmental remediation companies as a PM.

More importantly, make sure you're insured very well.

What kind of business license did you need to get? I'm surprised for a security service there isn't some kind of licensing that requires passing a test. I know for any kind of construction GC license you need to pass a test that covers a lot of contractual and insurance requirements material along with laws. Hell I'm doing an online refresher for my mold remediation license right now and the first two hours was nothing but contracts and insurance.