Catering for the Federal Gov't

StarsandStripes · BBQ Fan Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 385

You need to register with Duns and Bradstreet first:

http://www.dnb.com/US/duns_update/

You then need to register with CCR:

http://www.ccr.gov/

If you happen upon a page asking you to pay for something, you are in the wrong spot. Registering with either entity is completely free. You will just need a few hours to fill out the countless number of forms.

Search www.fedbizopps.gov for catering opportunities.

StarsandStripes · BBQ Fan Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 385

Has anyone checked out this site??? During the summer there are a lot of National Guardsmen going to drill and I reckon they've begun contracting out many of their meals. Someone with a full, pull-behind kitchen could clean house with one of these gigs. Lots of food being requested. Anyway. Somebody better get their foot in the door before I do!

SoEzzy · Posted: Jul 02 2007 Post subject:

The hardest part as I understand covering such contracts is the governments idea that when they need your Tax money, they give you 14 days to get it all together, but when it comes time for them to pay, 60 days is the norm and 90 - 120 days are not unheard of.

It would be one of the major stumbling blocks for any small catering company to be reliant on their payment system stretching that far out in front.

You could do a whole lot of business in that 60 days, and if you have the finances to carry you through, while not doing other work, then the risk is worth taking.

This may sound like a pessimistic view of working for the government as a contractor, but it comes from having worked with companies that did bite the bullet and take on government work and then due to an error or an oversight, struggled to reclaim their due, because some petty bureaucrat in an office a thousand miles from where you fulfilled your contract, decides that you need two more forms filled out in triplicate before they can even consider making your payment.

If you can fulfill the requirements, and maintain your sanity while billing them and waiting for the money, and jump through any additional hoops that may fall in your way, then they will eventually either pay you, or dispute the charges!

It does not endear the government to one to get caught out in the system, even though I would prefer the system to be tough and not slack, in handing out the tax dollars others and I had paid into it.
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Harry Nutczak · Posted: Jul 02 2007 Post subject:

I did apply for my "DUNS" number back when this was originally posted,
I am still waiting to see it. I had the option of paying $600.00 to get it in 48 hours though. but I figured I could wait. I guessed that correctly.

This area is not a real hot-bed of government related activities so if I get it, I get it, if not no real loss that I see.
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StarsandStripes · BBQ Fan Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 385

StarsandStripes · BBQ Fan Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 385

SoEzzy · Posted: Jul 02 2007 Post subject:

BBQMAN · Posted: Jul 02 2007 Post subject:

Thanks for the information starsandstripes! Very Happy

I just may well take the time to fill out the forms. I have some time now to catch up on business and home improvements.

SoEzzy has some valid points on the payment end of things. Marv does work for local Gov't, and can afford to wait 30 days or more to get paid. They always pay, but he has to wait. Smokin Jim has recently had some of these issues with clients in Canada. Home Depot tries to do the "net 30" deal as well. Try going into HD without a credit card and explaining that net 30 is the way you do business, take it or leave it! Laughing

For some smaller (or new) business', that might not be an option. My purveyors and crew expect (rightfully so) to get paid for services and goods at the time of rendering. I have the resources to pay the whole nine yards out of pocket when needed.

Most of the time, payment is rendered the day of (at the latest). My large defense contractors submit the paper work well in advance so that I don't have to wait.

That being said, I would not mind tapping into Gov't jobs, particularly during my slow season (summer). We have McDill AFB right across the bay, as well as USCG and Navy. The USCG base is the second largest in the country (Alaska has a bigger one). Obviously a very tempting catering target!

I am also prior military, which doesn't hurt trying to get your foot in the door! Very Happy

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StarsandStripes · BBQ Fan Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 385

I do not dispute there could be hardships. I do maintain, however, if you can get one of these gigs you should be able to rake in a sizeable profit.

marvsbbq · BBQ All Star Joined: 15 May 2005 Posts: 6186

Yes, I do local Government jobs with great success. I really have no intrest in doing catering for the Federal Government though.

Local state per diem (max they will pay for a meal) is low but the federal government is even lower.

I do a lot of work ON base (Ft Lewis Army base, McCord AFB and Camp Murry CG base) but all are paid for by the group that hires me. The bill is not 'sumitted' for payment to uncle sam. Also all are 'full price' events.

Here is one that REALLY 'gets my goat'.....The local state govn't has per diem of $15 for lunch which has to cover meal, tax AND gratuity. As a caterer, I am entitled to that whole $15.

What happens is they try to get the caterer to drop their price so they can use the REST of that $15 per person to buy decorations and nick knacks.

IMO...if this $$$ is earmarked by the govn't for the meal, then it SHOULD be USED to PAY for the meal, not used for 'other purposes'.

StarsandStripes · BBQ Fan Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 385

DawgPhan · BBQ Super Pro Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 3444

man I am getting screwed when I travel on my per diem...they break it down by meal and then you cant save it up for a big meal at the end of the day or anything...and you certainly dont get to keep what you dont spend.

corndog · Posted: Jul 03 2007 Post subject:

Marv wrote:

marvsbbq · BBQ All Star Joined: 15 May 2005 Posts: 6186

marvsbbq · BBQ All Star Joined: 15 May 2005 Posts: 6186

DawgPhan · BBQ Super Pro Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 3444

marvsbbq · BBQ All Star Joined: 15 May 2005 Posts: 6186

adolpho · Posted: Jul 03 2007 Post subject:

$15 per diem for lunch!? Man my job sucks. Shocked

I ain't gonna say how much, but we get less for our lunch.

I guess fudging with numbers will allow one to ask for a cheaper price than the per diem and then use the rest for decorations. But then again, most agency's would see that in the finance office and put a stop to it because that's a misuse of appropriated funds (my wife works in a finance deptartment).

Here's a heads up, just because you're doing an event to feed government people, it doesn't mean it has been budgeted by a per diem basis. Sometimes the event is considered a bonus, appreciation, or whatever and the coordinator is to feed and award a department of 70 people and here's $800 to do it with. Could be like that sometimes, could not. But don't assume that they have a budget of $15 everytime. Maybe there is a truth in there.

To the original topic of getting on with the federal government. Sounds tempting for me to fill it out, but here's my fear. I've yet to do anything for more than 200 people and I think that's all I'm capable of (Pit Space and other equipment). Say the federal government called on me for a bigger job and I turn it down. Do they frown on that? Do regular customers frown too? I mean, I wouldn't want to sacrifice what I can't handle just to get a gig. Am I going to lose business down the road?
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BBQMAN · Posted: Jul 03 2007 Post subject:

Adolpho, not to hyjack the thread, but the 'too big" party (gov't or otherwise) is actually a good question! Very Happy

You have a few choices there:

Let the client know that you have another party booked that day, and to please contact you for next time.

Make arrangements so that if a larger party is offered, you have the ability to pull it off. This will include having a list of people who can help you, and renting some extra equipment to compliment what you already own. (this is what I do)

Being honest that you just are just not equipped for parties this size. That would probably be my last choice, as it would be a clear indicator to a potential client that your services are limited.

Taking on, and falling down, on a party that is beyond your ability is not a good way to promote your business. However, you have to start somewhere! Very Happy

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BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

StarsandStripes · BBQ Fan Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 385

There are different types of catering for the government. I think there is some confusion on what's what.

1) My department wants to do a lunch, I collect $15 from each of my guys and give it to you. The services you provide are personal. You are not doing business with the government, but with a government employee. I could call you directly and ask you to come back.

2) The government is required to feed its employees. They release an RFQ and you submit a bid. That RFQ spells out the number of people you are to feed (most of the time) , when, where, and sometimes what. Your bid includes the bottom line amount plus a maximum fee of 7% (sorry Marv). Don't bid on what you cannot produce.

Here's where it gets sticky: if the government believes the total bill will be less than $25K they can sole source it (call you directly). If not, they must advertise it on www.fedbizopps.gov and accept bids from all interested parties. There are ways to pinpoint your company (i.e., "must have office within 25 miles of place of performance") but most of the time the government is an honest broker.

All of what SOEZZY said is true. There are times when the accounting department seems to be dragging its feet. You must understand these folks are understaffed and are working on many contracts. I'm just saying one of these contracts could very easily be a cash cow for one of you guys.

SNS