Rex Yiannis LLC

Tag: DVBE

  • The Silent Profit Killer

    The Silent Profit Killer

    Prevailing Wage vs. Market Rate

    The allure of a substantial contract with the San Diego Unified School District or a local municipality is undeniable. It promises guaranteed payment and steady volume. Yet, for many HVAC small businesses, winning that first prime contract is the beginning of a financial crisis.

    The reason? A fundamental misunderstanding of Prevailing Wage (California DIR) and Davis-Bacon (Federal) labor rates.

    The Math of Disaster

    In the private sector, your bid is based on your market labor rate. It is $35 to $45 an hour for a lead technician. In the public sector, you do not set the rate; the government does. If the DIR classification for a specific site dictates a rate of $68/hour plus significant fringe benefits, your profit margin quickly disappears. This happens if you bid based on your standard rate. This occurs instantly as soon as your crew steps on site.

    The Administrative Burden

    Beyond the hourly rate, the administrative cost of compliance is steep. Weekly Certified Payroll Reports are mandatory. One error in these reports can freeze your payments. It can also lead to penalties that far exceed the profit of the job.

    Strategic Takeaway

    Government contracting is not just about moving air; it is about managing data. Before you bid, you must calculate your “Burdened Labor Rate” specifically for the relevant wage determination. If your back office isn’t built to handle the paperwork, the contract isn’t an asset; it’s a liability.

  • 21 Days to Launch

    21 Days to Launch

    How Rex Yiannis Went from Concept to Government Vendor

    They say that government contracting is a marathon, not a sprint. But sometimes, the start of the race requires a sprint just to get to the starting line.

    On November 1st, I officially filed with the IRS and the State of California to launch Rex Yiannis. I had a vision. I wanted to build a premier Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). This business would serve our community here in San Diego. But a vision isn’t a business structure. I needed to turn that paperwork into a functioning entity that can compete for contracts right away.

    The Three-Week Sprint

    In just three weeks, we moved mountains.

    As of today, we aren’t just an idea on paper. We are actively pursuing opportunities as a California Small Business (Micro) and DVBE state vendor. On the federal side, we are registered as a small business vendor. We are now awaiting final approval for our SDVOSB certification.

    We didn’t stop at the state and federal levels. We committed to our local community, becoming an approved vendor for both San Diego County and the City of Oceanside. We are ready to serve our neighbors.

    The Strategic Partner Behind the Speed

    I want to be transparent: I didn’t navigate this bureaucratic maze alone. The speed at which Rex Yiannis mobilized is largely due to the strategic guidance of Artius.

    Building a company that is ready for government scrutiny requires more than just filling out forms. It requires a solid foundation. Artius played a key role in establishing our corporate governance. They drafted our Bylaws and Operating Agreement. This ensured we were bulletproof from day one. Beyond the legalities, they brought the Rex Yiannis brand to life. They handled everything from our logo design to our website development. They turned a concept into a professional, credible brand that government agencies can trust.

    What is Next?

    We have the badges, we have the brand, and we have the drive. Now, we are finalizing the technical qualifications to put boots on the ground.

    The next phase of our journey is already in motion:

    • Finalizing our CSLB C-20 (Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning) license.

    • Securing our California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) registration.

    • Obtaining the SB-PW (Small Business-Public Works) certification.

    These certifications are the final keys to unlocking public works projects. They allow us to show the quality and discipline that Rex Yiannis stands for.

    Join the Conversation

    For the other small business owners or veterans out there: What was the biggest hurdle? What did you face in your first month of business? Was it the branding, the certifications, or just knowing where to start?

    Leave a comment below. I want to hear how you navigated your launch.

  • Getting Ready for The Government to Reopen

    Getting Ready for The Government to Reopen

    The New Initiative

    Rex Yiannis, LLC is proud to announce the launch of a major strategic growth initiative. November 1st, 2025, we started the journey for our firm is a certified as government vendors. We’ve had experience registering on the federal level with sam.gov, but we have not gone “full-compliance” to get every vendor certificate we can acquire. Artius, our chosen administrative assistant, recommended becoming a vendor. They suggested registering with our federal, California state, San Diego county, and Oceanside city vendor.

    Certification is often a hurdle to selling products and services. This is especially true when selling to the United States government. Artius is a high-level Business Development and Capture Management consultancy. They have been guiding our strategy and administrative processes. Using Artius has aligned our core competencies with the needs of federal government agencies. They also tackled our company’s compliance needs at the state, county, and city levels.

    This is important for the new chapter of Rex Yiannis, LLC. Our commitment to excellence remains our north star. We are now channeling that commitment into a focused effort. Our aim is to give the government superior HVAC products and logistics services. The groundwork has started. We’ve taking the first steps so that we make a significant impact.

  • Boost Supply Chain Resilience with DVBE Partners

    Boost Supply Chain Resilience with DVBE Partners

    In the complex landscape of government procurement, the call for supply chain resilience and integrity has never been louder. Partnering with a certified Disabled-Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) like Rex Yiannis, LLC offers significant strategic benefits. It provides more than just fulfilling set-aside mandates. It offers a profound advantage. It’s about bringing a proven level of discipline, reliability, and mission-focused execution directly to your procurement process.

    At Rex Yiannis, our veteran leadership instills an uncompromising commitment to logistical precision and compliance, learned through rigorous military service. We understand that every part, every component, and every service contributes to a larger mission. This ethos translates into a supply chain partner dedicated to anticipating challenges. It focuses on mitigating risks. It also ensures that critical supplies are delivered on time, in spec, and fully compliant with federal and state regulations.

    Choosing a DVBE/SDVOSB means choosing a partner who values accountability and understands the strategic imperative behind every contract. It means strengthening your supply chain with a firm. This firm has foundational values built on integrity and a steadfast commitment to mission success.