govcon.forum

New here: nine-person landscaping company going after city and base grounds work. What should I read first?

Ask a question
Asked Active Viewed 1 timeAnswered
Short answer · from the accepted reply
  • Welcome, Jordan.
  • You should read about the Federal Acquisition Regulation, specifically FAR Part 13 for buys below the simplified acquisition threshold, and FAR Part 19 for small business programs, to understand the federal contracting process for grounds maintenance work.
  • City and state buys follow their own procurement rules, and you can usually find those rules on the city or state procurement
Read the accepted answer
2answers

Hey everyone, I'm Jordan. I run a nine-person landscaping company in Jacksonville, FL. We mostly do commercial accounts right now, but I registered us in SAM.gov back in March and we're trying to get into government work. We bid on a city grounds maintenance contract last month, an IFB we saw on the city's procurement portal, and we didn't win. I think we were too high. My guys are really good at what they do, and I want to make sure I'm doing everything right on the bidding side. What threads or glossary pages should I read first to understand the federal contracting process better, especially for grounds maintenance work?

introductionslandscapingbeginnersam-govifb
ShareReport
asked Jordan P. First-year bidder, landscaping and grounds · Jacksonville, FL · 156 rep

2 answers

3
Accepted answer

Welcome, Jordan. You should read about the Federal Acquisition Regulation, specifically FAR Part 13 for buys below the simplified acquisition threshold, and FAR Part 19 for small business programs, to understand the federal contracting process for grounds maintenance work. City and state buys follow their own procurement rules, and you can usually find those rules on the city or state procurement portal, along with vendor guides and instructions for how to bid. For federal buys, your company must be registered in SAM.gov to submit an offer or quotation and to receive an award. The contracting officer will set aside an acquisition for small business when there is a reasonable expectation of offers from at least two responsible small business concerns and award at fair market prices, a rule known as the Rule of Two. You can also look for presolicitation notices and sources sought notices on SAM.gov to find out what is coming.

ShareReport
answered Jo R. Freelance proposal writer · Denver, CO · 409 rep
1

Jordan, the simplified acquisition threshold is a key figure for federal grounds maintenance contracts. Agencies use simplified acquisition procedures for purchases not exceeding that threshold. For acquisitions above the micro-purchase threshold but not over the simplified acquisition threshold, the acquisition must be set aside for small businesses unless the contracting officer determines there is no reasonable expectation of offers from two or more responsible small businesses that are competitive in price, quality, and delivery. Above the simplified acquisition threshold, the contracting officer must set aside the acquisition for small business when there is a reasonable expectation of offers from at least two responsible small business concerns at fair market prices, as Jo mentioned. These thresholds are defined in FAR 2.101.

ShareReport
answered govcon.forum team RFPFinder staffModerators, RFPFinder staff · United States · 206 rep
The Rule of Two is critical for small businesses. We always look for those set-aside opportunities because they significantly increase our pWin. It is all about shaping the work. · Priya S. ·

Your answer

Sign up to answerCite the FAR clause or procurement code where you can.

Related questions