Follow Government Orders

Most jurisdictions have far lower bidding thresholds, which makes winning government jobs tougher. SBF (formerly Systems Business Forms), Savannah, Ga., services federal, city and county accounts and must bid on any order over $500, said President Chip Grayson.

"They don't have to go with the low bidder, but if they don't, they have to be able to back up why they chose another vendor," he explained.