Crowned and Moldering

“We’ll transplant them to other areas around the school.” She flashed a broad smile. “So it’s a win-win. We plan to expand the lot to seventy-two total parking spaces.”

“Wow, that’s a lot.”

“Yes. We’ll need three double canopies to cover seventy-some cars. The solar panels on top of the canopies will eventually generate enough power to run the entire school all year round.”

“That’s amazing.”

“I know. And a few of the posts will have hookups for electric cars, too. And get this,” she added. “The canopies are configured with gutters down the middle that can harvest rainwater to use for irrigating the student gardens, the football field, and all of the landscaping.”

“Wow. You’ve covered all the bases. That sounds fantastic.”

“I’m getting excited just talking about it.” She’d glanced at me. “So, are you interested in the job?”

I had sca

The job sounded unique and interesting, and I liked the idea of involving my company in a high-tech project like this. It would be a good thing for both the school and the community, as well as for Hammer Construction.

“I’d love the chance to bid on it,” I’d said.

“Wonderful.” She’d reached into her satchel and handed me a manila envelope. “Here’s the company’s bidding form. I’m bound by school-board regulations to obtain at least one other bid, and I’ve already heard from three others that they’d like the chance to bid, too. But, truth be told, I’d prefer to work with you.”

“I’d like that, too,” I said, but I knew the rules. “How much time do I have to submit my offer?”

“The sooner the better, naturally, but I can give you up to one week.”

I could envision working several late nights doing research into the solar-tech industry in order to feel competent enough to bid on the job. “I’ll try to finish it by the weekend.”

“Let’s make it Monday.”

That would give me five days to work on the bid. I could do that. “Okay. How about if I swing by your office Monday morning with my completed offer?”

“Perfect.” She’d thought for a moment. “Call my office before you make the drive, will you? I want to be sure I’m here to personally accept it.”

“I really appreciate your confidence in me.”

“You’ve proven yourself more than capable of handling anything thrown your way,” she’d said, smiling with an assurance I wasn’t sure I felt. “Now we just have to make sure you get the job.”

*   *   *

I’d gone home that night and begun the process of bidding on the job. Since the bid would be presented to the school board, a local government agency, there were a lot of hoops to jump through.

I spent an hour studying the solar company they’d hired to do the work. I was impressed by their Web site, and even more so with the testimonials written by their clients. By the time I shut down my computer for the night, I was determined to get this job.

My father had taught me that while my good reputation was essential in obtaining any job, my skill at presenting a wi

The solar company, as contractor, had provided its own customized bidding form for me to fill out. On most jobs I was dealing with an individual homeowner, so I usually created my own forms. In a way, this was easier. But I was still determined to present an organized and realistic summary of the job I wanted to win.

On the front of the form, I included information about myself and my business, my professional qualifications, and a few references from satisfied homeowners who had previously agreed to sing my praises. Much of that information was available on my own company Web site, but I included a few new quotes and details I hadn’t had a chance to upload yet. I wrote down my contractor’s license number and those of my crew members.

The solar company had attached a table with a long list of every job they expected the subcontractor to perform. There was a column for me to fill in my cost estimate and another column in which to justify that cost. In other words, how much labor I expected to employ and what sorts of supplies would be needed, plus a reasonable markup for my profit. The last column was my time estimate, where I gave my best guess as to how long each phase of the job would take.

I went down the list, filling in my estimates. I allowed some flexibility in case of unexpected costs or delays. My goal was to give good value, not price myself out of the job or, worse, lose money.

It took me three extremely late nights, reworking numbers and man-hours, to finish the bid. Even though she’d allowed me more time, I really did want to get it to Ms. Barney before the weekend.

Once I’d completed the bidding forms, I made a copy for myself and placed it in a new file folder I labeled LIGHTHOUSE COVE HIGH SCHOOL PARKING CANOPY. As I put the original bid into a business envelope with Ms. Barney’s name on the front, I wondered who my competition might be.

The following morning I had called Ms. Barney bright and early and she’d told me to stop by anytime, so I drove straight to the high school to drop off my envelope. Before I’d handed it to her, I’d removed the completed form and taken out my pen.

“I’m writing down the time I gave it to you,” I explained, “in case the company has any questions.”

“Good idea,” she said.

Yes, it was. In rare instances when two contractors came in with the exact same bid, the contract would be awarded to the one who submitted theirs first. And that’s why I’d stayed up so late those three nights, finishing the paperwork. I wanted to beat the competition and get this job.

*   *   *

Now, almost three months later, Ms. Barney and I were standing at the edge of the small crumbling parking lot again.

She shook her head in dismay. “It still shocks me to realize how interminably slow the school board can be when it comes to making decisions like this.”

“Everyone has an opinion, I guess.”

“Of course, and it’s like pulling teeth to get a consensus.” She clasped her hands together. “But I’m happy to say that they’ve promised me they’re ready to choose the construction company and they’ll let me know the result this week.”

“Hurray,” I said. “You must be thrilled about that.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it, but I wanted to give you a heads-up. I’ve still got my heart set on your wi

We reached my truck and I turned to her. “Whether I get the job or not, I want to thank you for considering me, Ms. Barney.”

“What can I say? You’re the best.” She patted my shoulder. “Keep a good thought, and with any luck, I’ll be calling you this week with good news.”

I was bowled over by her enthusiasm and trust in me. “I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Thanks again.”

As I drove home, I tried to tamp down my excitement at the possibility of wi

*   *   *

I’d forgotten all about my mental tirade over Whitney until I got home. Then I remembered, and it reminded me of two things: one, that I was starving, and two, that I hadn’t gotten my nails done in weeks.