Decide to bid: the questions to ask first

A bid takes real time. Before you start writing, decide on purpose. A clear decision saves your time for the bids that fit.

A score is not a decision

Victavio's fit score shows how well a notice matches your profile, with the reasons. It cannot know everything about your business. Use it to sort your list, then answer the questions below.

The questions to ask

1. Can we do this work? Name the people who would do it. Do you have the skills, tools and licenses the work needs?

2. Can we bid as the prime? Check the set-aside, the NAICS code and its size standard. If you cannot be the prime, can you team? See Set-asides in plain words.

3. Will our registrations be active in time? A federal offer needs an active SAM.gov registration when you submit it. SAM.gov registration is free, but allow at least 10 business days for it to become active. Some state and local buyers need their own vendor registration too.

4. Are there steps we cannot miss? Mandatory pre-bid meetings, site visits, samples or notarized forms. Missing one can disqualify you.

5. Are there security or personnel rules? Clearances, background checks, citizenship rules or CMMC. Check each person who would work on the job.

6. Do we have the insurance and bonding? Read the amounts the buyer wants. Get quotes now if you do not have the coverage.

7. Do we have time to write it well? Count the working days to the deadline. Leave time to check your work and submit early.

8. Can we carry the cost until we are paid? Government buyers usually pay about 30 days after they accept the work and get a proper invoice. See Cash flow and capacity.

9. Can we price it at a profit? If the only way to win is to lose money, pass. See Pricing basics.

10. Can we answer every required item? If one required item is impossible for you, the answer is a pass, or a teaming play.

Buyers check that you are responsible

Before any award, a buyer must find you responsible. In plain words: you have enough money, you can meet the schedule, you have a satisfactory record of integrity and performance, and you have the skills, people and equipment. The questions above are the same test, asked early.

Too big is not a reason to look away

If a bid is bigger than you can handle alone, do not just skip it. Look at teaming as a subcontractor or with a partner. See Teaming and subcontracting.

Decide, and write down why

Make one of three calls:

• Go: you will prepare a response. Assign an owner and set a date for the next step.
• No bid: write the specific reason. "The mandatory site visit was yesterday" helps you later. "Not interested" does not.
• Not yet: you need one answer first. Ask the question, and set a date to decide.

If you still cannot tell what the buyer wants after a careful read, ask before the question deadline. If it stays unclear, pass.

In Victavio

Save a bid to your pipeline and move it to "Deciding" while you work through these questions. When you pass, move it to "No bid" and record the reason. Your team sees the decision and why it was made.