Uncle Sam

[dirtchaser]

Anyone doing any work for Uncle Sam. Trying to get bids
cleaning flatwork around post office. Anyone had any luck. What would be the charge for this? ten cents per ft.?


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[Douglas Hicks]

I cannot give you any advice on rates, but I can say that you should have an understanding on how long it will take to get paid for your work. I have not worked for the Post Office, but we do work for the BLM, Forest Service, ASCS and GSA. The GSA seems to be the slowest pay, up to 4 months, and they don't pay interest. some agencies will pay cash if the amount is below a certain dollar amount. Sometimes we have billed a job using different invoices, to keep below the limit. Ask for payment in cash. Put your tax ID # on the invoice, and make sure to report the sale on your taxes. I do not give government agencies a discount for early payment. They don't pay on time, but do take the discount. We normally add a bit when dealing with the government, just because of the hassle. Make sure the person who gives you job approval actually has the authority to hire you. Make sure all invoices are signed by the person who has the authority. Don't do any more than the contract calls for unless you like to work for free.

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[David Saulque]

I clean one food service unit in a regional US Post office. We clean the system 4 times per year and they pay by Visa only after the job. I will call them next week and see how the local units work, & will return with the good words regarding flat work on the outside of local PO.

David

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[Paul]

I used to maintain the postal vehicles (fleet wash) where I used to live and I always got paid in 30 days, which is what I originally set up. The lady in charge had me send in everything as far as w-9, insurance and other accounting info as soon as we agreed on the contract which wasn't going to start for 30 days and that way I would be in the computer.

I recently did some graffiti removal for the government at our federal building here and they offered to pay on the spot with a government VISA when I was through but I did the work on Sunday and since no one was around I couldn't collect. I messed around for a couple of weeks and still hadn't invoiced them for the job and the next thing I knew, I was getting a check from Kansas City office to pay for the graffiti removal. They had enclosed a copy of my original estimate for the job and paid from that.

I think its all in talking with the right person that can help speed up the process.

Good Luck.............Paul

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[Scott Stone]

Any government job is required by law to pay you within 30 days. If not you can bill them for the interest and they have to pay it. There is definitely a problem if they are making you wait multiple months. You need to file a W-9 as soon as you start the job, and send a copy with the first bill, because they always get lost. You also need to make sure that they have a copy of your proof of insurance and workmens comp. Also before starting the job you need to make sure that you jump through all of the hoops that they have for you to work on. It will speed up the process a lot.

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[Doug Rucker]

I'd have to say Scott Stone is the expert at Gov't contracts.