Need help/advice GOV SAM registration.

Nomad74

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I am bidding a 50k sqft job for the Federal Gov and according to the bid request I need to be registered as a SAM Entity or System Award Management. Is this going to be a huge pain in the butt? Can someone with experience give me some tips and share your experience?

I’ve cleaned a large building for FEMA and other jobs for the DOJ and was never required to do this. But on this job they reached out to me and asked me to bid this huge place and this requirement was on the instructions.

C54135AF-A6ED-4D52-A3AB-3AF806AB5788.png
 

Desk Jockey

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We were asked big on a small university that could only use us if we filled out that paperwork. Got to the part where it was several hundred (I thought $600.00) before we gave up on it.

Maybe if we were guaranteed enough work to cover the fee and make a decent profit. But it was just a bid. We folded. :errf:
 

Nomad74

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Well Damn It. I’m a little pissed if that’s the case. What a scam. These people are begging me to bid this place. I’m going to have to dig into this more. Thanks Cavez for your input.

Good morning Marty.
 

Desk Jockey

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Call them just incase I'm wrong.

We had a couple hundred thousand sq/ft to clean there but were bidding against 6 others, so it just wasn't worth the gamble. A few years later they called with a 75k WDR loss and since it was an emergency they didn't need us to jump through hoops. We wasted hours on the bid and they chose another company. :errf:

A week later they were having problems (mold odors) and wanted to know if we would come inspect it and tell the other company what needed to be done. :oldrolleyes:

We don't give them estimates anymore. :angry:
 
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Nomad74

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Call them just incase I'm wrong.

We had a couple hundred thousand sq/ft to clean there but were bidding against 6 others, so it just wasn't worth the gamble. A few years later they called with a 75k WDR loss and since it was an emergency they didn't need us to jump through hoops. We wasted hours on the bid and they chose another company. :errf:

A week later they were having problems (mold odors) and wanted to know if we would come inspect it and tell the other company what needed to be done. :oldrolleyes:

We don't give them estimates anymore. :angry:
I called them and left a message. I flat out asked them if this was a money grab for hundreds and if so exactly how much. I should hear back tomorrow.
 
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Nomad74

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The actual US government SAM registration is FREE.

The "fees" are charged by 3rd party companies who "help" you with this free registration.
Ok. Thanks Lee. I just drove by the building they requested the bid on. It is indeed a 50,000 square-foot building.
 
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Nomad74

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Ok guys. I pushed through. @Desk Jockey you were correct. That one site tried to get me for $600. I hunted around and found the real government free site. I now have my DUNS number and my SAM verification letter. Now just one last step is to get some notorized thing mailed off to them.

This process is a pain in the ass for sure.

Also, thanks @Lee Stockwell
 
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Ok guys. I pushed through. @Desk Jockey you were correct. That one site tried to get me for $600. I hunted around and found the real government free site. I now have my DUNS number and my SAM verification letter. Now just one last step is to get some notorized thing mailed off to them.

This process is a pain in the ass for sure.

Also, thanks @Lee Stockwell
If you think that’s a pain, I just went through CSIS clearance (Canada’s version of CIA) . The form was 28 PAGES..... every employer from the last 20 years. ALL FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS.... tv watching habits, ALL ONLINE ACTIVITY, (had to give them ALL passwords).... the list goes on and on.... I’ve never had anyone ask me the questions I’ve had to answer....
Jeff @SCC
 

Nomad74

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@Lee Stockwell any chance I can email you my bid and have you look it over? They were very vague on the bid request but I did my best to provide them with the needed info.
 

Nomad74

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Man. I am flustered with this bid right now. What a disorganized cluster****. I’m too annoyed to every type about it right now.

Honestly, if I get this it will be a miracle.
 
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Man. I am flustered with this bid right now. What a disorganized cluster****. I’m too annoyed to every type about it right now.

Honestly, if I get this it will be a miracle.
I hope you get it! Looks like there's plenty of footage to make some serious money.
 

Nomad74

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I hope you get it! Looks like there's plenty of footage to make some serious money.
It wasn’t very last minute. The guy never scheduled a time to have me come out and measure. He said he would email all the info needed. So all I get email is “building is 50k sqft with stairs”. I’m like WTF? The bid had to be in today. So I noted my pricing and stated that due to the late notice of the bid, and lack of information the bid was only based on the info provided.

I get a response at 4:25pm that I can come in and walk the building. I call the number, no answer. I leave a voicemail and say I’m on my way. When I get there the place is locked down like Fort Knox. No one will let me in without a scan card. Knocked on the door and was ignored by the employees inside. By now I’m fuming pissed.

I emailed back “submit my original bid”.

Just rediculous.
 
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Nomad74

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They should have scheduled time for me to go in and do it right. Stupid me for thinking the feds would actually provide me with the correct information. I might try again tomorrow morning.
 
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They should have scheduled time for me to go in and do it right. Stupid me for thinking the feds would actually provide me with the correct information. I might try again tomorrow morning.
I had something similar happen a few years back. The guy phones, and says we’ve got a building with a few floors, the carpets aren’t that bad, there’s 2 sets of stairs, what’s your price? As I started to ask him detailed questions, he started to get short with me. I said, with the severe lack of information, I can’t give him a accurate quote.... his reply? ‘JUST FORGET IT THEN... and hung up on me.....
 
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Rob Grady

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I have to be CSIS cleared for my work at a nuclear facility. The forms are very detailed, but I have never had to include passwords. I believe the employees with higher security access may have to.
The paper work I am required for site, is five pages, I can't imagine twenty eight pages.
 

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