Government Subcontractors - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

BattleRidge · 07-14-2008, 11:10 PM

So like I have said in previous threads I am setting up my business for commercial and government work after 3 years in the residential field and I have a ton of questions, The most recent is, as a sub contractor on a government job, I know I need my DUNS, ORCA, EIN, and CCR registration, but do the subs I use need them or can they just be people that are exempt and insured/?

BattleRidge · 07-18-2008, 04:10 AM

42 people and no one knows?

Bob Kovacs · 07-18-2008, 06:57 AM

I'm pretty sure that everyone on true "government" jobs (as in Federal jobs" needs all of the paperwork outlined in the bid manual- that would be the first place to look. State and local projects often have entirely different requirements, but again, they're typically outlined in the front end of the specifications.

Ayan Gonzalez · 07-18-2008, 08:02 AM

They had better have those requirements and more.

You and they better undrstand everything about FARE, certifide payroll, Davis Backen Laws, OSIA, bid bonds, buying American, performance bonds and GSA precurement procedures before getting to deep into government contracting.

I would strongly recommend you contact you local Small Business Administration and get their guidence on GSA work. Their SCORE devision can be very heplful.

The SBA can also assist you with bonding and payment guarantees so you don't have to wait to get paid by the government.

You should specialy consider looking into how to qualify your business so it can meet the minority set aside requirements.

The laws asociated with GSA and municipality work apply to the subtier contractors just a well as the prime. Though the prime usually does not check to see that all your subs meet the requirments.

However, if you ever get into a legal battle with a prime or an employee, they will use it against you in court.

If you want to last in GSA work, everything has to be by the book.

Marky Stone · 07-24-2008, 08:52 PM

This i in nj

If you plan on bidding state funded work you better get very familiar with certified pay roll.. Have enough money to cover you your subs and over head for three months. It takes a long time to get state checks. If one sub, or gc gets caught not paying rate you get disbarred for 2 yrs. Unions will have the state auditing our finances every month guranteed.

Marky Stone · 07-24-2008, 08:56 PM

One more thing our estimator gripes about one lousy signature,notary,any little thing missed in your bid package is wrong or missing you are automatically exempt. Its crazy around here the state shows up weekly on sight enforcing saftey, asking everyone what there pay is..ughh

Hopefully where u are its diffrent.

bigg_dogg · 07-31-2008, 06:20 PM

Battle.....do u have a Gen Contractors Lic? if u only have a residential lic u can not bid on government jobs!

TMG1 · 08-17-2008, 01:28 PM

Whatever requirements you have, so will your subs. Otherwise people would bid a job as a primary construction manager, and then sub the work back to a secondary company that they own interest in, so that they wouldn't have to pay prevailing wages and carry they required insurance bonds, etc.
Nope can't do it. It's illegal.
It's also very probable that it's stipulated (sub requirements) in your primary contract with the government.

Jason W · 10-21-2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SR Engraving

I do ADA signage, electrical, mechanical, and brass plumbing tags. The ADA signage as you know is required all Federal and State buildings. We are also a minor owned company which means that you get extra points for using a minor owned company in your bids.
Let me know if there is anything I can help with.

Wow, you sure have run a few ads here today haven't you!

I hope you're not really a minor owned company!

Minority maybe?

orson · 10-21-2008, 06:51 PM

BattleRidge,

In my area both SCORE and the SBDC will work with you to help you learn how to bid on government contract work.

Might be worth looking into.

http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/sbdc/index.html

http://www.score.org/index.html

nycballer31488 · 12-03-2008, 03:36 PM

wow working for the government seems like it be a pain. Im currently looking to start working with the governement and SCA. I have no experience working for either but heard it is tough getting paid but the jobs are on a much larger scale. Im looking to expand my company and recieve larger scale jobs.

Kaiser · 12-03-2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BattleRidge

So like I have said in previous threads I am setting up my business for commercial and government work after 3 years in the residential field and I have a ton of questions, The most recent is, as a sub contractor on a government job, I know I need my DUNS, ORCA, EIN, and CCR registration, but do the subs I use need them or can they just be people that are exempt and insured/?

To answer your question if you are contracting with the Govt. You need the things discribed above.

Anyone under you is not required to meet the same requirements.

Everyone should have an EIN but the CCR has to do with how you get paid. You pay the others.

You have been given some good advice as far as knowing what is needed to do work with the Govt. and the SBDC is a great place to go.

I am by no means an expert in this crap I'm not sure the guy who made it all up knows all the answers.

But TMG1 And Gonzales are mistaken about everyone under you needing the same.

RobertsonBridge · 12-09-2008, 05:47 PM

I'm pretty sure a true subcontractor will need proper credentials and insurance. Otherwise you will need to hire them as your employees. I don't recommend hiring subs as your employees. If they get hurt or cause problems it's on you.

RobertsonBridge · 12-09-2008, 05:49 PM

When getting quotes from subs, make sure they are familiar with Davis Bacon wages. If they give you a quote expecting to pay their guys $12 per hour and the job requires a $40 per hour scale, they are going to leave you holding the bag.

RobertsonBridge · 12-09-2008, 05:52 PM

another thing to keep in mind is Equal Employment Opportunity. While all employers by law are not allowed to discriminate, a Federal Contractor has to make an Affirmative Action Effort to find minorities and females for all job openings. Depending on the state and county you live in you will have different goals to reach. If the government decides you are not making a good faith effort they can prevent you from bidding government work.