The portable sanitation business is like any other business; it requires dedication, diligence, and active outreach. Sure, people need your business, but there are several competitors out there trying to compete for the job you have your eyes set on. A job that looks lucrative to you is going to look lucrative to others.
Everyone wants a job that is close to a location they are already working, and especially one that is near their home base. This is why bidding wars start, and that’s where many will lose the chance for that dream job. But you can prepare for bidding with the following six steps.
Contract Bidding for Portable Sanitation – 6 Easy Steps
- Get a Reference Point
One of the most overlooked steps by a portable sanitation business is calling the city, owner, or government body to ask about a previous bid price. The previous price should tell you what price range this particular interested party is willing to pay. If you can get it, this reference number will give you a bidding edge over other companies who are attempting to get the contract. - Read Between the Lines
You should remember that every contract is different from the one before. This is the reason you should make sure you read the bid contract as many times as you need to until you understand the details. Details that are important to know could be anything from submitting a triplicate or knowing that you need a bid bond. - Add Another Pair of Eyes
It is very important to ask someone you trust to review the details of a contract before you sign. A fresh pair of eyes could point out an issue that could be very costly if overlooked. The risk of making a mistake is greater if the contract involves large quantities. - Be Smart and Keep a Copy
All bid documents, no matter the size, should be scanned and filed. You can either file them in a file cabinet, desktop computer, or even cloud services. This is an important step because it keeps vital information at hand should it be required later. Disputes or issues can easily be resolved if you have a copy of what was agreed upon. Redundancy is OK. These days it’s standard practice to have a back-up procedure in place. - Properly Identify and Label Your Submission
This step might seem trivial, but it ensures that your bidding submission gets to where it needs to get–on time. You must make sure that the bid number, the bid title, and the due date is clearly printed on the packaging or the letter you are sending. - Rethink the Courier Service
Most people might expect to use the US Postal Service as the default for deliveries, but this may not be the most secure way to send important documents, including your bid submission. Be sure to consider FedEX, which is a courier service that is trusted by many business people.
Follow all six steps and you’ll significantly improve your chances to win the next bidding war to get that coveted contract!
