If Paul Revere was Me: "The Olympics are coming!" (Procurement!)

Procurement

What is procurement? What is it in the land of small businesses? This is a term that is used to describe the process of bidding and winning a contract with government - town, city, county, state, federal. On the flipside, there are procurement departments who have to create these contracts and get them posted publicly; then they have to review all the things. I've been told that it's a race to the bottom regarding rates/pricing, which is why you see such shoddy work at the county or city or state or even federal level. Those creative and marketing agencies have been grandfathered in, gone through the LONG process of being vetted, bids reviewed, etc. Other private marketing agencies basically give up because the process takes so long.

BUT - here's the thing - if you don't bid, more marketing and creative agencies that are terrible will win these. They're failing up.​

“Am I too small?”

No. Government agencies like vendors who are reliable, responsive, and clear about what they sell. A one-page capability statement (what you do, for whom, proof you’ve done it) plus a clean website section for government buyers and procurement officers already puts you on the map. Certifications (small, women-, minority-, or veteran-owned) are helpful, but not mandatory.

I would like you to consider going for these bids because booking means steadier demand. When you do good work, departments come back. Payment cycles can be net-30 or net-45, so plan cash flow and invoice cleanly. (Let's be honest - be ready for net-90 or longer.) Once you’re in their system and you deliver on time, there is a better chance of re-signing or at least keeping you in consideration in the next RFP.

Common categories include:

• Custodial and janitorial

• Landscaping and gardening

• Marketing, social media, and public outreach

• Graphic and web design

• Photography and videography

• Printing, signage, and swag/merch

• Translation and interpretation (including ASL)

• Accessibility audits and remediation

• IT support, software, and data/GIS

• Training, workshops, and facilitation

• HR, staffing, and professional services

• Accounting and bookkeeping

• Event production and AV

• Catering and concessions

• Office supplies and PPE

• Waste, recycling, and composting

• HVAC, plumbing, electrical, painting, and small trades

• Security, courier, and delivery

• Fleet and vehicle service

As you know Olympics and Paralympics are coming to Los Angeles in 2028. Keep an eye on opportunities with the organizing committee, City and County departments, LAWA/LAX, Metro, the convention center, parks and rec, host venues and universities, hospitality groups and hotels, tourism boards and business districts, production houses, and global/local sponsors planning brand activations.

Also pitch “endemic” organizations that surround these two weeks - neighborhood nonprofits, chambers, cultural institutions, festivals, and pop-up event producers will all need vendors for community celebrations, viewing parties, transportation ops, wayfinding, and more.

Does this help get you fired up or at least get your optimism going? For those of you who are creators and new marketers, please consider helping small businesses and solopreneuers get ready! It's only 2-ish years away now... There are other major events happening in-between, and that can be your jumping off point.

Tell me if you're thinking about procurement.