what you be MAD !!!!!!!!!!!

[monterey powerwash1]

Hello to every one out there in the pressure washing world. Hope every one is doing very well. Well I have something to say, Another local company and i bid on a city contract to wash all the downtown district sidewalks and bathrooms and other walkways. We thought that if we bid it together as a team and split the money we wouldnt be cutting each others throats.Its too much work for a one man operation any ways.On the contract it specified hot water pressure washing. We both have very nice equipment and both do great work. Well we both sat down and our bid came out to $48,000.
We both submitted our bid and another guy got the contract at $32,000. WOW we said what a difference. It was a local painter. Well yesterday i was at the park and guess who was there the painter who got the contract washing the concrete in shorts on a windy cold day with a little cold water 2,500 psi unit that you push around. He bought it at the local pait store. OH boy was i fired up. I asked my self a few questions How do you get the gum up with cold water?,How in the hell is he going to wash all these sidewalks with no floor machine? why in the heck did they hire him? And why doesnt he just paint and leave the work for the guys that just do washing. you dont see me opening up a painting company and taking his work. Well he did under bid us and that is bussiness but he isnt using a hot water machine. Do you think i should go to the city,or just wait untill next year and bid again. sorry so long guys but i had to let a little steam off.
Ron

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[David Saulque]

I would have a talk with your City Councilman, and tell him how you see this situation-you bet. Just don't set back like some, I would go after it. The bid should have included requirements and so fourth-use anything you can to show how your bid was compiled.

Were you not on this BB several month ago? I remember you posting about this bid.

Good Luck

David

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[Cody]

<FONT COLOR="e87400">Hey Monterey

Call your Atty. You probalby have a lawsuit if you wanted one & your Atty will love you for it! The state cannot set criteria for one contractor then not enforce it on another of the same bid.

What you should really do is to call your local Chamber of Commerce and tell them what's up. They will most likely give you some assistance or at least guidance as what to do next. You should DEFINATELY pursue this. You will most likely get the contract if you do. They are in the wrong, they'll end up giving you the job to shut you up. Get pictures of the guy out there doing the job. Find out who he is, see if he is lic. & insured. I'll bet that he has a flaw somewhere there. LIke he's problay licensed and insured as a painter but not as a pressure cleaner. Big no no for state work, but those state folks aren't always the sharpest tools in the shed & will miss these little things.

GO FOR IT, PURSUE IT!!
Good Luck
Cody
Let us know how it turns out</FONT c>

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<FONT COLOR="e87400">
Hydro-Emulsification Surface Preparation Specialist </FONT c>

 

[JR Wood]

Just be careful,it could be a relative of a big whig in the city council or something,wouldn't be the first time.

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DID SOMEONE SAY DIVERSIFY?</FONT s></FONT c>

 

[Walt Graner]

Welcome to the wonderful world of city bids. I always laugh to myself when I read lowest "Qualified" bidder. One man shows always under bid jobs for the city, and the cities never learn.
Also JR's right, brother-in-lawen city bids takes place quite often. I've been there, fighten it just is'nt worth the bull you put yourself through, lifes too short, smile and go on. Oh don't get me wrong go ahead and throw a couple of rocks at him (pictures and a letter) and wait for him to die from lack of food, they always do.

You can lose a lot of stuff in life, but NEVER lose your sence of humor

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Walt Graner
"Off The Wall" Graffiti
3006 Bee Caves Rd, Suite B-160
Austin,TX 78746
Ph512) 328-7776
fax(512) 328-2399

 

[Richard R.]

Ron,
Just my two since worth.

You definitely have a legitimate gripe.

First off, it won't do any good thinking you will win this one, HOWEVER, in a professional manner, you might want to talk to the person in charge of finalizing the bid. Handling this issue in a professional manner does put you closer to legally changing the bid status.
I will second JR's motion, but always remember the other side of the coin. They may not have wanted this guy to get the bid either but wasn't able to justify $32,000 over $48,000 so they had to take his bid. Giving them an excuse to disqualify this painter just might be what they're looking for. I highly doubt it, but it's possible. Remember the city has to justify their bid selections to the counsel and there is no way the city may have known that the other guy didn't fulfill the agreement until the violation is visable.
If nothing else, you may want to talk to the person in charge and ask him if the specifications in the contract is binding so you will know how to bid in the future. Several things will happen when you do this. You will call his hand, make him realize someone is watching and will at least force your competitor to play by the same rules as we do. Just don't go there acting like a tough guy. Be humble and you may be surprised at the outcome. If not this time, maybe the future.
Approach it in a way that lets them know your main concern is in future bids and the legal issues as to how the bidding process works with the city.
The city has no choice but to live up to the law stated in the contracts. I believe it is illegal to change the contract specs during a bidding process, unless all parties have had prior written notice of the changes. Remember, obeying laws is exactly why they have Police officers patrolling around the city. They are there to make sure all citizens obey the state and local ordinances and the reasons they ALSO employee a city attorney. One of the Attorneys main functions is to advise the city and to make sure the city understands their own rules. If you have problems finding the person in charge of the bidding, you might try asking the city's attorney. I bet they will be glad to help in any way they can. They are bound by the State Bar Associations.
Just don't expect a Police officer to help you though. The city is the side his breads buttered on.

The Chamber of Commerce would probably not be able to help you in this matter since they are not actually affiliated with the city. They are just a brotherhood of business owners and so forth.
And last but no least, Do not waist your time on a civil law suit. The old saying is reasonably true, "You can't fight City Hall." There is to much at stake for an attorney to fight them, personaly and professionally and they all know it.


Hope all works out for you and all concerned.

Richard R.


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Always heard that "Cleanliness is next to GODLINESS"

Robinson's HP Mobile Wash
PO Box 1395
Temple,Tx. 76503-1395
254-933-0093
robinsons_MPW@vvm.com



[This message has been edited by Robinson's HP Mobile Wash (edited April 10, 2001).]

 

[johny]

I hate people like that.That painter took your job away cause he wanted the money,he probably dont make that much paining in a year.Another thing is he probably wont do a good job,hell let him have it ,he will learn it the hard way.It will take him so much time and agravation to clean it all.
I have stopped around here in gas stations and asked if they want their station washed,no,is the answer,we have a maintnance man.He was here today ,with his little N-star push around thing.He was using just water and wasnt really washng,just pushing the dirt arond with pressure.
I would still try and see whats up,maybe they just dont have the money,or lots of times people think they can get same service for less.You shoud do a demo in a place he has just cleaned,put some good chemicAl on,hot water and they will see the difference,let them decide from there.
Johny

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