Meat only Bid!
 

Gotta request for bid today. Local airforce base is asking for bids to feed 1500-1750 guardsmen and family Aug 1st. They are asking for meat only. They have requested pulled pork. I'm figuring about $2500 in hard costs to get the meat rubbed, cooked and packaged. Should I stick to the x3 hard costs or drop it lower? I want this gig but I don't want to cut my throat. I't going to be alot of work. FYI, i'll be splitting the job with a fellow catering buddy.

I charge $8 per pound (cooked) delivered for pulled pork.

You're going to need roughly 300lbs of cooks pork. (Probably lots of kids, so amount is lessened).

300 X $8.00 = $2,400.00

Where is your $2,500 in hard costs?

Even if you went with 1/4lb per person you'd need roughly 450lbs. That's roughtly 900lbs of raw pork. 900 X $1.29 per lb = $1,169.00 (I could get the pork here for $.99lb)

Maybe I'm missing something. Could you outline your costs a little for us?

Also, what would I charge? If this was a group of airmen and their families and the airmen were either leaving for Iraq/Afghastan or returning from I'd do it for the cost of the meat.

If it were me (and it's not...) since it's a military bid, I would lower the cost to a near 0 profit... But, of course, I am not a caterer... yet...

Do NOT count on this. Yes, there will be some kids there, maybe even a lot of kids. HOWEVER, young military 'kids' (read Airmen) will EAT A TON, and more than make up for the light eaters that may attend.

I agree with 'donating' the food for this event. IMHO it's a good cause, a worthy recipient group and a great opportunity to earn some positive 'karma' in the community. Also remember that if you do this as a 'donation' you can write it off on your business taxes, and that will help you recoup at least some of your costs.

Support the troops and get some pics of the event.

Is it 1500 Airmen, or Airmen and families? May need to get a tighter count, but 900 to 1000 lbs of pork would be my number as well @ $1.29/lb = $1290.00. Approx 140 butts to cook, pan and foil. Allow for 15 gallons of sauce. Hard cost (without my time) would seem to be around $1600 - 1700. Add in plates, napkins, utensils, sterno and still seems like under $2k. (I would charge for costs only, and show my time at an hourly rate as a donation and Karma)

All good thoughts -

maybe they can buy the meat at cost at the BX and you fellas tell them you'll do all the work for $x - then donate half of that back to them?

just an idea.

Let me get this right...... Who is actually paying the bill? Is it the same folks that pay $400 for a toilet seat or hammer? I know how this works, they spend every sent they are authorized. If you don't get it Haliburton or someone like them will.

I would not cut the price, figure out what the meat costs, then add your profit. How many hours will this cook/preparation consume? I like to work on $1k a day profit. You will not believe the amount of work this cook is going to be. Work up a spread sheet and do your best to figure it out. I can send you one of mine, just ask. Then add 10%. Don't forget to add in the cost of wear and tear on your pit. Everything needs to be figured into the cost of a job. I have said many times on this forum, "if you lowball to get a job, then not only are you not making money, you are hurting the catering industry as a whole". That is why so many restaurants go out of business every year.

Just for the record this is not the Karma of which some of us spoke of.

If I was asked to cook for the Joint Chief of Staff or the Department of Defense I would charge and charge big.

We are talking about cooking for the Airmen and their families. You know the ones who often times can't afford a toilet. The ones who lay their lives on the line each and every day they go to work.

Or their families who stay behind and struggle to make ends meet, wondering each and every day if their spouse or father is going to come home safe. Or come home at all.

If you want to make a profit when you do this cook, I say good on you. If you want to do something for the people who keep us safe, I say great on you.

But to hold these 18, 19, 20 (or so) year old Airmen and their families responsible for the sins of their superiors or people who aren't even in the military is bad Karma.

(And just for the record Haliburton keeps you safe too!)

Just my opinion, your mileage may vary.

The Airman’s Creed

I am an American Airman.
I am a Warrior.
I have answered my Nation’s call.
I am an American Airman.
My mission is to Fly, Fight, and Win.
I am faithful to a Proud Heritage,
A Tradition of Honor,
And a Legacy of Valor.
I am an American Airman.
Guardian of Freedom and Justice,
My Nation’s Sword and Shield,
Its Sentry and Avenger.
I defend my Country with my Life.
I am an American Airman.
Wingman, Leader, Warrior.
I will never leave an Airman behind,
I will never falter,

And I will not fail.

E4 Airman Average Salary = $35,257

Not sure the pay balances the job description. It's never a bad thing to do something for someone willing to do the things we cannot or do not choose to do - Even at a discount. IMHO.

Did I step on my crank again? :icon_shy As I asked before, "Who is paying for this?"

All that said, my job allows me to spend this same tax payer money every day so I know where I am coming from. I wasn't trying to be cold or callous, I was just stating the facts. That money may or may not come out of special services funds.

I don't want to hear it about Haliburton either, lest you wish to be educated.

Like the man said, he doesn't want to cut his throat taking this job...... I say pay a man what he is worth!

[quote=tony76248;936240]Did I step on my crank again? :icon_shy As I asked before, "Who is paying for this?"

I agree with you on this. The government is paying for this, you should charge. They do not let us do anything for free. I understand who you are cooking for but it is not coming out of their pockets. I am very thankful for our soldiers and would cook for them of they needed food to survive for free. But if the government is willing to pay me for cooking for their employees, I will charge.

I'll vote for yes!!!

Haliburton, Haliburton, Haliburton, Haliburton..... :twisted:

Whatever you decide, I pray that you get the job and a lot of hungry service men and women and family members are happily fed, which I bet they will be if you get the bid.

Probably half of the people wearing the uniform today are being fed daily by for profit contractors.

They are asking for a bid for you to provide your product and services. You put you numbers together like you would for any organization that is that is looking to hire you. They're talking a lot of food and a lot of work; you have every right to make a profit.

Sure, you might donate your labor or reduce your mark-up for certain charity gigs, but the military is not a charity case.

Just my opinion...

Chris