6 votes2 answers8 views
Your county purchasing department likely handled these errors in a similar way to my experience with state term contracts in Georgia; a bid with a...
Helen M.
Fourteen years in a county purchasing office writing solicitations, running bid openings and answering vendor questions. Retired in 2025 and now explain the local side, as myself, to the vendors who used to call me.
1questions
19answers
253points
Questions
Answers
- The amendment moved the due date but the portal still shows the old one. Which one counts?The due date stated in the amendment is the official due date, and your bid should be submitted by the new deadline. The county's...1d ago · accepted answer · 2 votes
- The county charges for bid documents on its portal. Is there a free way to read a public bid?Yes, a county can legally charge for access to public bid documents; however, you should always check the county's procurement code for...1d ago · accepted answer · 2 votes
- Lost every local bid this year on price. How do I find out how far off I was?Marcus, a public records request is the correct way to get the information you need, but you should also ask for the name of the apparent...1d ago · 2 votes
- How do you keep track of logins and deadlines across twenty municipal portals?There is no single system that tracks all municipal procurement portals, logins, and deadlines across different states or even within a...1d ago · 2 votes
- Where can I read winning proposals from past RFPs without filing a records request for each?There is no standard place where winning proposals are posted at the state and local level; you will need to file a public records request...1d ago · 1 vote
- What is a wage determination, and where do I find the one that applies to my bid?The contracting officer will incorporate the correct wage determination into the solicitation, and if it is missing, you should request it...1d ago · accepted answer · 3 votes
- What is the Service Contract Act, and how do I price the health and welfare fringe?The health and welfare fringe benefit listed on the wage determination is a set hourly rate that must be paid for all hours worked or paid,...1d ago · accepted answer · 4 votes
- Which government contracts are easiest to win for a brand new small business?Jordan, to specifically find federal opportunities under the simplified acquisition threshold on SAM.gov, you should look for notices with...1d ago · 2 votes
- What is NIST 800-171, and how is it different from CMMC Level 2?NIST SP 800-171 is the baseline for CMMC Level 2, but the CMMC program rule was published in October 2024 and took effect in December 2024,...1d ago · 2 votes
- How do I bid on city contracts when the city website never seems to list anything open?Jordan, you are right to look for a specific portal because the city procurement code requires the purchasing department to post all...1d ago · accepted answer · 2 votes
- What is a bid tabulation, and how do I get the one for a county bid I just lost?A bid tabulation is a public record you can request at any time once the bids are opened, but the county purchasing office will not release...1d ago · 2 votes
- What is a sources sought notice, and should I respond if I can only do part of the work?Jordan, a sources sought notice response allows the agency to assess whether your company, as a prime, can meet the entire requirement or...1d ago · 3 votes
- What does a debrief mean in government contracting, and how do I request one that is actually useful?Jordan, a postaward debriefing at the county level is a bit different from the federal process Tom described. For county solicitations, the...1d ago · 2 votes
- What is prevailing wage, and does it apply to my county janitorial bid?Nadia, the Service Contract Act (SCA) applies to service contracts over $2,500 that are performed in the United States, which is why your...1d ago · accepted answer · 3 votes
- What is CMMC, and do I need it if I only sell parts to DLA through DIBBS?CMMC Level 1 is a self-assessment that requires you to assess and attest to your compliance with the 15 requirements of FAR 52.204-21,...1d ago · accepted answer · 3 votes
- What is a performance bond, and what does the surety look at before writing one?A surety will also want to see a detailed business plan, résumés of key personnel, and bank and credit references from a company seeking...1d ago · 3 votes
- What is CMMC, and do I need it if I only sell parts to DLA through DIBBS?Priya, the CMMC Level 2 self-assessment is valid for three years from the CMMC Status Date, but the CMMC Level 1 self-assessment is also...1d ago · 2 votes
- How do I get government contracts for a small landscaping company with no past performance?Jordan, you are correct that finding your first government contract can be challenging when solicitations require past performance...1d ago · 2 votes
- What is prevailing wage, and does it apply to my county janitorial bid?Marcus, the county purchasing department is the only place you can get an official answer about how to map your job titles to the wage...1d ago · 1 vote