Pestworld Magazine Focusing on the Business of Pest Management
The majority of the large companies in our industry are QualityPro accredited, but the focus of our industry’s accreditation program has always been to lift all ships in the sea to give growing firms a leg-up with the lessons-learned from other companies and the recommendations of human resources professionals. Every day, we reach small and mid-sized companies to help them set up processes and avoid the growing pains of others before them. Once accreditation is earned, a company is ready to take their business to the next level. One opportunity for rapid growth is government contracting. QualityPro is educating procurement professionals about the value of QualityPro accreditation. And we’re helping accredited companies of all sizes get into this line of work too.
HOW DOES THIS WORK?
Every state has a public procurement system that contracts for the things needed for government land and facilities. For example, the pest control at most public K-12 schools is done under a government contract. Some states have centralized procurement and others have the local agencies manage their own. Regardless, there are opportunities available for any size company, even if your service area doesn’t cover a whole state. In fact, many agencies prioritize small businesses located within the state.
Most states have a system where vendors can register and can view current contracts and opportunities. We recommend you register ASAP. Find your state’s procurement links at www.naspo.org/states. Most states will offer periodical training on how to do business with the state. Attend one of these trainings before you are under pressure to submit a bid and begin to build a relationship with the procurement professionals handling pest control contracts in your area.
While a procurement office is preparing a request for proposal, there is often a comment period. This is where QualityPro is helping education procurement professionals about current industry practices—helping states do business with our industry. Once that period closes, the requests for proposal come out. QualityPro sends a weekly list of current opportunities out to accredited companies.
Each contract is subtly different, and the requirements posed by the procurement or purchasing agent behind the RFP will have different expectations for the level of service, time commitment, etc. Points may even be awarded for QualityPro accreditation. The upside to this is that the plurality of different kinds of work means that there are opportunities available to all sorts of companies, every size and every service.
As with all clients, government procurement agents want to see that a company is professional, thorough and committed to their work. By demonstrating their commitment to high standards, a company can set themselves up for substantial success down the line. Given the benefits of successfully landing a government contract, a business can only stand to benefit from applying.
HOW DOES GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING HELP YOUR BUSINESS?
Aside from being a way to acquire new work, most government contracts are ongoing and offer opportunities for pest management companies to make steady income doing essential work at the government level. More generally, working with government agencies is a great way to increase your company’s public profile. One successful government contract tends to become many, and companies that are able to distinguish themselves through excellence of service and professionalism will find it easier to secure valuable future bids.
QualityPro companies in particular, having already distinguished themselves by pursuing accreditation in their field, have found the ability to grow their business through working with local governments invaluable. Their drive to meet the highest national standards and continue improving their business has historically been rewarded by access to contracts, and the QualityPro team has received enormous positive feedback from companies who have made use of our bid letters and RFP lists.
HOW DOES QUALITYPRO HELP YOU BID ON GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS?
QualityPro subscribes to a software that allows us to connect with procurement agents and help them build their RFPs. Once an RFP is published, we notify accredited companies and are able to help those who are interested find the information they need to submit a bid. Our lists are carefully curated and provided to all QualityPro companies free as part of their accreditation. The QualityPro Toolbox in general and our contract lists in particular are designed to help companies of all sizes succeed.
QualityPro would like to see a day when accreditation is a preferred category on all government bids, and we are very interested in making contracting opportunities available to companies who have demonstrated their commitment to excellence in pest management. Governments manage some of our most sensitive environments—schools and affordable housing, to name two. Having the best in our industry serving these high-profile accounts benefits both our industry and the people who live, work, learn and play in these locations.
If you’d be interested in using government contracting to grow your business, please reach out to us at [email protected] and find out how you can get started today.
QualityPro is administered by the Foundation for Professional Pest Management, an independent organization that has been developing good business practices and standards since 2004. Designed specifically for pest management companies in the U.S. and Canada, we are proud to certify over 500 of the best companies in the pest management industry. QualityPro is endorsed by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). For more information, contact us at [email protected].
BY GRIFFIN VOLTMANN, CERTIFICATION MANAGER, QUALITYPRO
