[Tim C.]

I am trying to find out if there is sometype of publication or mail list that I can get on inorder to find out about government or municipal landscape jobs open for bids. I live in Illinois and I have seen alot of government buildings built in the last couple years where other locale companies have done the work. I have asked around about getting on a bid list etc. but no one has been any help.

[ALS]

You can start by asking where they advertise for bids. most will place notices in local papers (at least around here). There is also dodge reports, Reed Const, and other services. Locally it seems like most are posted in the local paper and on the dodge reports.

Ted

[Bill Schwab]

Find the "procurement office" for the governmental agency you are looking to bid with. They typically let most of the contracts. Dodge construction news has quite a few governmental projects, or at least the GC's who run them listed but the problem I always had with dodge is that by the time the project was posted in their rag, the GC was selected and he had typically let all the trades.

If you see a building going up, stop and ask the GC who his contact is and they can send you on their way from there.

[RHayden]

You might try the Central Management Services and the IDOT links on the State site. Register as a sub-contractor and you'll probably get calls from GC's you've never heard of before. As mentioned above keep an eye on the public notice sections of the local papers.

We are in Illinois as well and I have found these types of jobs to typically be more trouble than they are worth. Just my observation.

[Bill Schwab]

Are you in any relation to the Hayden landscape company out of Woodstock, Illinois?

[RHayden]

Bill, I assume you are referring to JJ Hayden. They are farther north than us. Check your pm's as I have a question on your new 6500 and don't want to hijack this thread.

[pineapple]

I don't know where you live, but Illinois College of Lake County has a Small Business Development Center
Phone (847) 543-2033
with a person who helps small biz find gov contracts.

I met with him last winter and he gave me tons of info and suggestions for searching out and contacting procurement people at various levels of gov.

Unfortunately it is not as simple as one big list somewhere. Each municipality has their own method of advertising.

There are some websites that group jobs open for bids.

Your local SBDC or community college may have this info.