Value of Connection aka Who Gets a Seat at the Table

One of my primary clients is undergoing a transformation of their appraisal purchasing process.  Currently, all the approved, qualified appraisers are invited to appear for a bid meeting.  Then, the ones who appear review the requested appraisals, consider their current workload, the review appraiser assigned to the project, distance to the properties, current information available about market data, ease of working in a particular county or counties, and then if willing and able, provide a fee estimate for completing the appraisal process and preparing the written reports.  The most efficient and qualified appraiser with the lowest fee is then given the contract.

 The new process will provide that 14 companies or individuals around the state will hold up to a five year contract to provide these same appraisals and written reports on a pre-set fee menu.  It is known as an indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract (IDIQ).  Yes, when the original information came out, I had to look that up, and do a bit of research about the type of contract.  These new 'prime' contractors will be responsible for hiring the appraisers and specialty contractors to provide services in a timely, competent, and consistent manner.  Where I am currently 1 of 146 approved appraisers or 1 of 64 approved to do more complicated work, and there are 26 approved specialty contractors, the new process limits to 14 the number of folks with direct control over how appraisals and specialty contracts are assigned.


Each of those 14 'prime' is to have at least 10 approved appraisers on their list for their proposal submission to the client.  So theoretically, there would be 140 appraisers of the 146 that would 'survive the cut'.  In reality, we all have folks we like working with because of their work ethic, attention to detail, and professionalism.  Grateful I am to have been asked to join a number of teams.  It will be interesting to see how this all pans out.  I hope to get a seat at that table.

Just wow

Below is a redacted version of some emails between one of my largest clients and myself about a recent competitive bid.


On Sep 25, 2012, at 8:33 AM, "Client, Mr" wrote:

RE: Project No: ABCD-456-00(000) Georgia Co.
P.I. No. 1234567

The following contractors have been awarded the work on the above referenced project:


Contractors
Service
Awarded Bid
Blah blah real estate appraiser
Appraisal Reports (Level 2)
$ 6,135.00
No Bids Submitted
Cost to Cure



Best Regards;
Mr Client


From: Christina Holmes [mailto:christina@christina-holmes.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 9:28 AM
To: Client, Mr
Subject: Re: Project No: ABCD-456-00(000) Georgia Co Appr Bid Award

Is this the price they bid or are we missing a digit somewhere?

iPhone


Reply from Mr Client:

Actual bid


My bid? $32,600, 23 appraisals - average fee $1,417 each

Winning bid? $6,135 for the same 23 appraisals, average fee $266 each

I believe we should earn more than that for the substantial amount of education, licensing, experience, time and energy our profession requires, not to mention our court fees under these contracts are $50/hour - about 1/3 the industry average.

Just wow