Is this normal procedure?

[Frank Weston]

Having had more than just a little experience bidding on government
contracts, I feel that I must make some observations:

1. 137 pianos in one month is a pretty easy job for TWO or THREE people.

2. There are plenty of guys who will tune a piano for $15 bucks.

3.  The person who wins this contract will find two of the $15 buck guys,
bid $20 per piano, and pocket a whopping $5 X 137 profit.

4.  The real gravy in this contract is not in winning it, it's in the
follow on work, work which will most likely not be up for competitive bid. 
Of those 137 pianos, probably 20 or 30 will need $100 to $500 worth of
maintenance which is not covered under the bid, but can be incrementally
funded.  That could be $10,000 worth of good paying work spread out over
the next year.  Further, the winner of this year's contract could be
offered no-bid follow on contracts for maintenance and tuning for many
years to come.

Make up your mind.  Do you have the stomach for dealing with a government
bureaucracy?  If so, you can make good bucks.  If the whole idea leaves a
foul taste in your mouth, stick to tuning for private customers.

Frank Weston - been there, now dealing exclusively with private customers