[Still_waiting]

I have been contacted by a large company to clean an office in my small town. I submitted a very comprehensive package, dotted all the I's, crossed t's, hand delivered it to the property manager, AND had a 20 minute sit down, and I put my best foot forward. It seems to be taking and extremely(4 weeks)long time for these people to make up their minds. Meanwhile, the cleaning company that is there now(and have many compaints from the staff)
Are still cleaning. I don't get it? The staff is frustrated, they want a new cleaning company. I had spoken at lengnth to them with the initial walk through... any ideas what the heck is going on? I'm in biddin limbo...

[Stringer]

Four weeks after you placed the bid, now it is time to call the person that you presented the bid to and ask for an update.

This is long enough to wait, I would have called after one or one and a half weeks.

Stringer

[Still_waiting]

Four weeks after you placed the bid, now it is time to call the person that you presented the bid to and ask for an update.

This is long enough to wait, I would have called after one or one and a half weeks.

Stringer

He was away on vacation for 2 weeks, and I have called at least twice a week. I really feel like this guy has dropped the ball, he is the property manager. I don't want to be rude, but I want to strangle this guy. I won't retract my bid, but there's got to be a way to force his hand, no?:(

[Scleros]

any ideas what the heck is going on?

They are considering the bids. Welcome to bidding. Four weeks isn't a particularly long time, especially for a large company. Unless the company is subject to procurement requirements, and sometimes even then, they don't have to do a thing. By calling twice a week, you've probably shot yourself in the foot.

[Stringer]

Is the present cleaning company under contract? If so, then they will probably have to giv them a 30 day notice per their contract.

I agree, calling constantly will ONLY turn them off to you and it is annoying.

Honestly when you placed your bid you should have ask them for the lead time to their making a decision at that time. Learning is part of business Still.

There is always the chance that they only took bids to keep their present company honest... sorry to say, I hope not.

Stringer

[Still_waiting]

No, the cleaning company that is there now is not on contract. The contract was up a couple of months ago. Is that legal to call for proposals under false representation? I'm up in Canada(or down, depending where you are) I understand that once you call for proposals, you have to see it through, legally. I very surprised companies can use this tactic. Thanks so much for your feedback...

[Still_waiting]

Not to sure what procurement requirements are, but my contact was always very pleasant and diplomatic, not desperate.
There is no contract at this moment, and the present cleaner has also bid, but the property manger doesn't seem too interest in that bid. Who knows what these guys are thinking, but bidding is really a wake up call!

[joypulv]

Being away for 2 weeks probably means more urgent priorities first.
He may not have the final say on this.
You really don't know how many others have bid.
(He may be expecting a kickback but don't go there.)
There's no legal obligation to any bidders. With government bids there may be published day/time opening of bids and decision deadlines.

Call once a week max, I'd say. If staffers go outside at lunchtime, wander by and shmooze a little. Don't try to be secretive about it.

[Still_waiting]

Yes, apparently there are 70 properties, this one doesn't get a lot of priority. I have heard about bid rigging, very distasteful and illegal. I can only let the good reputation and performance of my company speak for itself at this point. Thanks so much for the feedback.

[Stringer]

Still, bidding property manages is a different animal of sorts.

1. Generally they are given a list of three or more BC's to have bid by their upper management. These are approved bidders. The local PM can decide to add another bidder however it is at his/her own risk. By that I mean, should one of the approved companies not perform then so be it, bid again, But should the company that THEY picked fail then possibly their head is 'on the block.' The approved list of bidders is usually the 'good 'ol boys.'

2. The 'program' is to get a lot more from BC's than you are paying. Especially if the volume (sq ft) is high. In my area if there is over 80 -200,000 sq ft the price is usually around $0.06 to $0.08 /sq ft. And then you are expected to perform as if you are receiving $0.15/sq ft.

We concentrate on buildings that are owned by the occupant or the occupant is responsible for the cleaning. The property management usually adds the cost of cleaning to the rent. And with occupancy rates being low they cut this cost to lower the tenants costs and attract more tenants.

Stringer

[Still_waiting]

All 70 properties are offices owned by a huge corporation. They are employee occupied, not dwellings.
This property has a small amount of employees, yet is a sub station also for drop off company small trucks, etc. The sq ft is large with 3 bathrooms, huge shower area, lunchroom, office, etc.
It looks small, but there is a lot of work to be done(including stripping and waxing of 400 sq.ft area 4 times a year) My bid is in line with the scope of work. If they are looking for a lower price, well good luck with that. I will continue to contact them, but only periodically.

[Still_waiting]

Verdict is in, I lost the bid. Everything was way fishy about this contract.
It's all a learning process, thanks for the great feedback.

[Stringer]

Sorry to hear this Still.

Did you do a 'post' interview? Even when I get the bid I always ask questions that will keep me 'in tune.'

Can you tell me how much I was high? If not can you give me a percentage of how high I was?

Was it pricing? If not just pricing then what other factors were involved?

What could I have done better? I want to learn from this for next time...

Stringer