[SOC] How Government Contracting Works

[Fred Jensen]

The fence around the White House needed repairs,
and 3 contractors were inspecting the work with
the Government guy.

Contractor #1 measured the fence, did some figuring,
and said "My price is $900 -- $400 for materials,
$400 for my crew, and $100 profit for me."

Contractor #2 measured the fence, did some figuring,
and said, "My price is $700 -- $300 for materials,
$300 for my crew, and $100 profit for me."

Contractor #2 leaned over and whispered in the
contracting officer's ear, "I'll do it for $2,700."

The contracting officer was stunned and said, "You
didn't even measure the work or calculate a price.
Where did you get that big figure?"

The contractor whispered back, "$1,000 for you,
$1,000 for me, and we hire #2 to do the work."

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2007 CQP Oct 6-7
- www.cqp.org