www.paragonuniforms.com
 

Client:

Marilyn Ababio, President of Paragon Uniform
Website:

Contact:
www.paragonuniforms.com
Customer Service at 661-480-0333
 

Paragon Uniforms Inc. is a full service uniform company with a sterling track record of over 25 years of service.  Paragon has won the State of NJ governor’s award for Excellence and Growth, and the Federal Minority Business Development Award. Paragon is SBA, HUB certified and holds a number of DBE, MBE, WBE, SLEB and Veteran owned certifications with transportation and transportation related agencies in the country. Paragon’s President Marilyn Ababio, has consistently guided the growth and direction of the company. She and her staff of six understand the requirement for providing uniforms that meet specifications, on-time with excellent customer service and that something extra. Uniformes ce traveil... uniformes aquel trabajo... uniformen diese arbeit... for uniforms that work in any language on any job check out our website www.paragonuniforms.com or call customer service at 661-480-0333. When the sale of uniforms is not enough to meet contacting goals, Paragon has substantial joint venture and sub-contracting experience with major uniform manufactures, equipment and service providers.

Ms. Ababio says "We at Paragon are embracing those elements that sustain us during these challenging times. As a business owner and part of a community of small businesses I am attentive to how critical our customer and vendor relationships are to Paragon’s ability to meet the challenges of 2009. We encourage and practice recycling of paper and waste, greening by increasing our product line to include “organic” fabrics. To those agencies and companies that have been customers for decades to our new customers -thank you for your business!

In 2009, Paragon has successfully bid as a prime contractor and received the award of a contract with the State of California Department of Public Health. In addition, Paragon has partnered with a well known regional laundry as a sub-contractor to provide services in Alameda County.

By Fall 2008, Paragon felt the impact of the national economic down turn, Marilyn contacted SBDC Director Rick Ohlrich and sought his help developing a plan for Paragon's future. Mr. Ohlrich assigned Ms. Paula Groves to the task of valuing Paragon and taking a look at its financial position. A seasoned professional in business and venture capital, Ms. Groves provided direction to Marilyn and guided the company into and through the realization of its financial position. The net result was an understanding of its financial condition, an organized approach to achieving market share and tools to track success. Paragon has employed those tools and reenergized its sales efforts with the direct result of three new customers in the first half of 2009.   

"This is how I train my staff on government bid analysis:

1) Scan the bid page and determine if the Company can do the bid based on the quantities and contract length. 

2) Look at the scope of work. Determine if the scope of work is 80% - 100% within the company's capability.

3) Then take a hard look at the bid.  Read the bid with a highlighter in hand and highlight anything that is going to cost money.

4) Where the company is weak, look for a reliable subcontractor or independent contractor.

5) Find out who is the competition - what company had been previously awarded the contract; Ask the buyer in writing for clarification on anything you don't understand - the only stupid question is the one not asked. Find out if there is a pre-bid meeting attend and get copy of attendance sheet.  Use this information strategically but don't be intimidated. 

6) Pull the numbers together to complete bid page and let someone check your math.

7) Review your bid package or proposal there is always a place for authorized company signature, date, place and time for bid submissions. Schedule your time so you plan to be at least two days early.

8) Even if you feel you will not win the bid - submit it and find out bid results. 

9) Develop a tool to track bids every year.  In time you will figure out how to win.

10) There is no short cut.