Contract rates for 6+ month contract?

I've always worked in full time/permenant positions, but I got contacted by a recruiter for a 6+ month contract that really interests me.

It's basically to be a Sr. level consultant for this huge project: DISA -Press Release

This is the 1st time I've had a recruiter send me a position that after reading it I've thought "Wow, that would be a perfect fit for me". Usually it's more like "Ok you caught a keyword and didn't actually look at my resume, this position is not for me at all".

I'm not looking for a job, and not sure what kind of position this might put me in when the contract ends. The recruiter is some middle eastern sounding guy that I can barely understand from some company I never heard of.

I haven't responded yet, they want to know what the rate I'd be looking for is. I don't know how to answer. I know you usually get more for a contract like this because you don't get any benefits. I pay for my own medical insruance anyway, and don't use any of the other benefits my current employer offers, so not having benefits isn't a deal breaker.

For those of you more familiar with the contract world, what kind of rate should I go for? $50/hr? $100/hr? $200/hr?

Find more posts tagged with

Free for TechExams community: Cybersecurity salary guide

Compare cert salaries and plan your next career move

Button

Comments

DigitalZeroOne

I have to assume that this is a clearance related contract, if that is the case the recruiter that contacted you may not have won the contract. The first thing you should ask him is if his company won the bid for the contract. I have had multiple recruiters call me for the same job, because everyone is bidding on a contract and they want you to work on it if they win.

The other part about not getting benefits isn't entirely true. Some companies will hire you on as a full time employee, and then you are put on a contract that they won, it depends on the company.

As far as pay, it really depends, I would ask what the range is, and proceed from there. You should also look for similar positions and find out if they list the pay. $100 /hr is probably to much, but $50-60 /hr is quite possible depending on the area.

Everyone

DigitalZeroOne wrote: »

I have to assume that this is a clearance related contract, if that is the case the recruiter that contacted you may not have won the contract.

Yup, 1st thing that went through my mind actually, which is why I turned down 99% of these calls the last time I put my resume out there. Foreign recruiter and foreign company throw up red flags for clearance related positions.

The e-mail makes it sound like they either have, or are trying to get a subcontract, as it says "EMC will internally supply all of the leadership positions - need hands on team members". Although they list the Army as being the client.

I'm still researching it trying to find out if a contract has been awarded for this, and seeing if there are any similar postings.

DigitalZeroOne

You can always ask him what the likelihood of them winning the contract would be, if they have had similar contracts in the past, they could win this one. The problem is usually recruiting firms don't want to double submit someone, so if you go with 1 firm, you may not be able to be submitted by another.

What is your clearance level and what state are you in, if it's VA/DC/MD, then finding something else should be easy.

Everyone

DigitalZeroOne wrote: »

You can always ask him what the likelihood of them winning the contract would be, if they have had similar contracts in the past, they could win this one. The problem is usually recruiting firms don't want to double submit someone, so if you go with 1 firm, you may not be able to be submitted by another.

What is your clearance level and what state are you in, if it's VA/DC/MD, then finding something else should be easy.

TS/SCI. I'm in IL, and not near any bases, not interested in relocating, but willing to travel. Like I said I'm only casually looking right now, the company I work for is being acquired pending FTC approval, which could take until the end of the year to go through. I figured it's time to see what options are out there.

I'm not in a position that requires a clearance right now, but I maintain an active clearance with my Air National Guard service. I don't really care if a job needs a clearance or not.

I had plenty of offers in the DC area last time I threw my resume up. I'm just not that interested in living there, cost of living is way too high. It may take a little longer to find something, but I could probably break into the 6 figure range commuting into the Chicago area. I'll either have to get a really high offer, or be put into a desperate situation to consider moving my family again. I don't mind traveling if the pay is good, and I live within an hour to hour and a half drive of 3 major airports, so I'm really considering something that will allow me to live where I do now, and travel for work.

Everyone

This project is well underway already according to this: Army, DISA enterprise e-mail plan moving along despite challenges -- Federal Computer Week

I can't seem to find anything that says who has the contract for it, it looks like the contract was awarded last year though, and work as already begun on this massive project.

Everyone

So I replied to the e-mail from this recruiter asking if they had their company had the contract, and if not, were they hiring on behalf of the company who holds the contract.

The recruiter has called my cell phone several times now, I haven't answered because I'm at work. He responded with an e-mail saying he would not answer my questions until I sent him an updated resume, and wanted me to make sure it highlighted my migration experience.

Really turning me off. $:\$

rwmidl

Everyone wrote: »

So I replied to the e-mail from this recruiter asking if they had their company had the contract, and if not, were they hiring on behalf of the company who holds the contract.

The recruiter has called my cell phone several times now, I haven't answered because I'm at work. He responded with an e-mail saying he would not answer my questions until I sent him an updated resume, and wanted me to make sure it highlighted my migration experience.

Really turning me off. $:\$

Wow, really?! If a recruiter came back to me with those questions, I'd tell them to take a hike.

Turgon

Everyone wrote: »

I've always worked in full time/permenant positions, but I got contacted by a recruiter for a 6+ month contract that really interests me.

It's basically to be a Sr. level consultant for this huge project: DISA -Press Release

This is the 1st time I've had a recruiter send me a position that after reading it I've thought "Wow, that would be a perfect fit for me". Usually it's more like "Ok you caught a keyword and didn't actually look at my resume, this position is not for me at all".

I'm not looking for a job, and not sure what kind of position this might put me in when the contract ends. The recruiter is some middle eastern sounding guy that I can barely understand from some company I never heard of.

I haven't responded yet, they want to know what the rate I'd be looking for is. I don't know how to answer. I know you usually get more for a contract like this because you don't get any benefits. I pay for my own medical insruance anyway, and don't use any of the other benefits my current employer offers, so not having benefits isn't a deal breaker.

For those of you more familiar with the contract world, what kind of rate should I go for? $50/hr? $100/hr? $200/hr?

Have you got the terms of reference of what the 'Senior Level Consultant' is supposed to be responsible for and doing? If you dont have the experience it's pointless worrying about all these details.

Everyone

Turgon wrote: »

Have you got the terms of reference of what the 'Senior Level Consultant' is supposed to be responsible for and doing? If you dont have the experience it's pointless worrying about all these details.

I have the detailed job description. I have the experience they're looking for, and then some. I've done similar projects on a slightly smaller scale for another branch of the Military, but as a full time employee for a major defense contractor, not as a temporary/contract worker. Like I said, never done short term contracts like this, only full time/permanent positions.

I just have a bad feeling about this recruiter, so I'll probably end up passing this one up.

TLeTourneau

Everyone wrote: »

For those of you more familiar with the contract world, what kind of rate should I go for? $50/hr? $100/hr? $200/hr?

It depends on the duties but I normally do $50-$85/hr corp to corp. I wouldn't be too upset about the request for an updated resume, I get that from recruiters I haven't worked with before.

Tom

Everyone

TLeTourneau wrote: »

It depends on the duties but I normally do $50-$85/hr corp to corp. I wouldn't be too upset about the request for an updated resume, I get that from recruiters I haven't worked with before.

Tom

The request for an updated resume isn't what bothers me. It is the fact that they are demanding my resume before answering a couple simple questions. I'm afraid of having a recruiter that may actually hurt my chances at a position submit my resume for it without my consent.

TLeTourneau

Everyone wrote: »

The request for an updated resume isn't what bothers me. It is the fact that they are demanding my resume before answering a couple simple questions. I'm afraid of having a recruiter that may actually hurt my chances at a position submit my resume for it without my consent.

I can understand that, there have been a couple that I don't even want them to know my name. I have had recruiters not tell me anything specific until I've signed a right to represent form. I think they feel if they give any information you may be able to figure out who the client is and skunk them.

Turgon

Everyone wrote: »

I have the detailed job description. I have the experience they're looking for, and then some. I've done similar projects on a slightly smaller scale for another branch of the Military, but as a full time employee for a major defense contractor, not as a temporary/contract worker. Like I said, never done short term contracts like this, only full time/permanent positions.

I just have a bad feeling about this recruiter, so I'll probably end up passing this one up.

If in doubt bail. If you have the goods, there are other worlds.

switchrat

rates can be tricky, first is it 1099 or W-2, will you be receiving per diem on top of hourly IRS 1542, This breaks the USA down by county. Will you be using your vehicle? One thing to watch out for is the recuiter or company making your hotel arrange. IF you use the 1542 they may put you in a cheap county and you have to drive 1.5 hours, unpaid to the work location. Who's paying for your transportation to the job location \. I mean if you are in NY and the jobs in WA who pays. How do you get paid? Are you resonsible for up front expenses this can add up to thousands. Do you receive OT, On call, shift diff etc. I will say a 50-60,00 rate is least i would take if it was a W-2 w/o per diem and no transportation. Spendy to live in NY city

Everyone

As if this one didn't stink enough already... I just got an e-mail and a phone call from another Indian sounding recruiter from the same company for this same contract. The 1st guy found me on Dice, this guy found me on Monster. So now I have 2 guys I can barely understand from the same shady recruiting company calling me at least once a day, that refuse to answer my questions, and aren't getting the hint.

Turgon

Everyone wrote: »

As if this one didn't stink enough already... I just got an e-mail and a phone call from another Indian sounding recruiter from the same company for this same contract. The 1st guy found me on Dice, this guy found me on Monster. So now I have 2 guys I can barely understand from the same shady recruiting company calling me at least once a day, that refuse to answer my questions, and aren't getting the hint.

Run away..far..far away.

Everyone

Turgon wrote: »

Run away..far..far away.

I'm glad that I did, because someone who speaks English as a 1st language and is recruiting for the actual company that holds this contract, called me this morning. They told me what the rate is up front, and all the details. $51/hr, W2, paid travel and expenses, plus per diem. Travel to different Army bases around the US 50% of the time, work from home the rest of the time. Contract is through the end of the year. They have 7 positions left to fill for it, and pay weekly.

I have another call with them this afternoon to schedule a technical interview. Sounds like a great opportunity, but because I have other opportunities that are for permanent positions available right now, this one is at the bottom of my list.