Bidding for a Contract

[Terry]

Bidding can take a variety of forms. With the more formal approach, an
entity will send out an "RFP" (request for proposal). There will often be
one informational meeting that any interested parties can attend - details
of the RFP will be covered and questions answered. Then the proposals are
prepared, sealed and submitted - that approach would be consistent with your
"blind" bid.

I would be surprised if a recording studio would take such a formal
approach.

I think David Love pretty much hit all the nails right on the head. One
other thing that comes to mind to include - standby time. If that one piano
must be tuned right before that particular recording session and that darn
drummer has to practice right then and there - well, you get the picture -
standby time.....

You might even want to try tuning a string or two on the pianos (if it's
okay with them). I'd hate to be under contract to tune a piano for my
regular fee and then find out afterwards that every string is mechanically
bonded to its agraffe - I don't know about you, but if such a piano has to
be tuned to perfection, it will take me quite a bit more time than
otherwise...... (I've got a particular Baldwin L in mind - grrrrrrrrrr).

Terry Farrell

> Hadn't thought of asking about the budget.  It makes complete sense now,
but
> before I just thought bidding was all just done blind - as I said, haven't
> done it before.
>
> Thanks again,
> William R. Monroe
>
>
> > You should include everything that will be covered and what will not be
> > covered.  Get all the information you can about what they expect, the
> > extent of what they want done, frequency, accessibility, general size of
> > their budget for this etc..  I sometimes like to ask what the budget is
> > because it allows me to make recommendations about what can be
> > accomplished within the budget and perhaps the best way for them (and
> > me) to set up a working arrangement.  The actual bid should really be a
> > reiteration of what you have already discussed in detail.  If you simply
> > try and submit a blind bid without knowing exactly what they want and
> > expect, you may be shooting yourself in the foot.  You should also
> > inspect the pianos for general condition before making the bid and
> > include any potential problem areas that you discover.  Be clear about
> > your working arrangements and cost differences between coming in to
> > service all 8 pianos in a day, for example, and coming in to take care a
> > one problem on a particular piano or a single tuning.
> >
> > It's most important to discuss the details in advance of submitting the
> > bid.  It will make you look more intelligent in your approach, will make
> > it seem like you are really concerned with what their needs are and how
> > you can make it work for them, but above all, they'll remember you!
> >
> > David Love
> >
> > I have just been requested to submit a bid for servicing a small studio
> > (8
> > pianos), and I've never done this before.  I'm curious if there are
> > particulars I should include in the bid, structure, etc.  Anyone have a
> > standard "bid sheet" that they wouldn't mind sharing with me?  Reply
> > privately if you would like.
> >
> > William R. Monroe