How to Get Government Cleaning Contracts

To learn how to get government cleaning contracts, identify janitorial opportunities, complete the required registrations, and submit a bid that follows each solicitation. Start with the federal opportunity, confirm your business can meet its staffing and site requirements, then price and send your proposal by the stated deadline.

Federal cleaning work can include routine janitorial service, floor care, window cleaning, and related tasks. Requirements vary by building and agency, so read each solicitation carefully instead of relying on a generic bid package.

Understand government janitorial contracts

Federal janitorial work is commonly classified under NAICS 561720, Janitorial Services. This is a six-digit industry code. The agency selects the NAICS code for a solicitation, and that code determines which SBA size standard applies when the opportunity is set aside for small businesses.

Contracts may cover one facility or several locations. Read the scope of work for cleaning frequency, areas, supply responsibilities, operating hours, quality inspections, access rules, and contract length. Check whether the agency provides equipment or expects you to supply it.

Some opportunities are reserved for eligible small businesses or firms with specific SBA certifications. Do not assume a set-aside applies to you just because your company is small. Check the solicitation’s eligibility terms and the SBA size standard for its NAICS code.

Choose the right cleaning opportunities

Search for federal notices on SAM.gov under Contract Opportunities. Use janitorial-related search terms and NAICS 561720, then narrow results by location, agency, and set-aside where those filters are available. You can also view open janitorial bids.

Look beyond the title. A notice may describe custodial services, building cleaning, or facility services rather than use the word “janitorial.” Read the full notice and attachments to determine whether the work matches your services, capacity, and service area.

Use federal agencies and what they buy to identify likely buyers. For market research, review past awards on USAspending.gov or explore federal contractors ranked by contract dollars. Past awards can show which agencies buy similar services and who has performed them, but they do not guarantee that a new contract is coming.

Set up your business to bid

To bid as a federal prime contractor, complete a full registration at SAM.gov. Registration is free. SAM.gov assigns your business a free 12-character Unique Entity ID (UEI); for a US business, the Defense Logistics Agency assigns a CAGE code during registration. A UEI by itself is not a substitute for full SAM registration when bidding on federal prime contracts.

SAM registration must be renewed every 365 days to stay active. Start or update it through SAM.gov, and do not pay a third party to register your business. See the steps for SAM registration, and contact the Federal Service Desk for help with SAM.gov issues.

Select the NAICS codes that accurately describe your services. Check the applicable size standard through the SBA and use the NAICS code lookup to confirm a code. If you plan to claim an SBA certification or set-aside status, apply through MySBA Certifications; applications are free.

Check the site and contract requirements

Before you decide to bid, compare the statement of work with your actual capacity. Estimate labor hours by shift and location, account for supervision and backup coverage, and confirm that you can provide any required equipment, consumables, and reporting. A contract can be unprofitable if you overlook travel, supply, or after-hours costs.

Review the solicitation for insurance limits, required licenses, background checks, security procedures, site visits, and performance measures. Requirements differ by contract. Some facilities have controlled access or specific procedures for keys, badges, alarms, or sensitive areas, so verify that your workforce can meet them.

Check the solicitation for wage determinations and labor-related clauses that may apply to service work. Also look for bonding language. Government cleaning contracts do not all have the same bond requirements, so rely on the specific solicitation rather than assuming a bond is or is not needed.

Build a complete, competitive proposal

Follow the solicitation’s instructions exactly. Note the submission method, deadline, required forms, page limits, question deadline, and evaluation criteria. If a site visit or pre-proposal meeting is required, attend it and submit questions through the process the agency specifies.

Explain how you will perform the work, not just that you can clean. Describe staffing and supervision, quality-control inspections, supply management, employee training, contingency coverage, and how you will report and correct service problems. Include relevant experience and references when requested, and make every claim specific and supportable.

Prepare pricing from the work requirements. Include wages, payroll costs, supervision, supplies, equipment, insurance, travel, administrative time, and a reasonable allowance for risk. Match your price format to the solicitation and review government contract pricing before finalizing your numbers.

Submit, track, and improve your bids

Submit the complete proposal using the method and deadline in the solicitation. Keep proof of submission and a copy of every document. For practical bid preparation, review how to bid on government contracts.

After submission, monitor the notice for amendments or agency communications and respond by the stated deadlines. If you are not selected, request feedback when the agency allows it. Use the feedback to improve your next proposal’s technical approach, compliance, or pricing.

Track opportunities and awards over time. If a prime contract is too large for your current capacity, look for subcontracting work with an established contractor. Free help is available from APEX Accelerators, Small Business Development Centers, and SCORE.

Make a practical first-bid plan

Start with a manageable service area and the type of facilities your company already knows how to maintain. Set aside time each week to search notices, check amendments, and compare opportunities against your staffing, equipment, and cash-flow capacity.

Before bidding, prepare a short capability statement, gather business and performance details that solicitations commonly request, and build a cost model you can update for each site. Keep a record of bid dates, questions, submission status, results, and lessons learned. Consistent, careful preparation helps you avoid spending time on work your business cannot perform profitably.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a government cleaning contract?

Find a suitable solicitation, confirm you meet its eligibility and performance requirements, and submit a complete proposal by the deadline. For federal prime contracts, you need an active full SAM.gov registration, which is free. Compare your price and work plan with the solicitation rather than sending a general offer.

What NAICS code is janitorial services?

Janitorial Services is NAICS 561720. The agency identifies the NAICS code for each solicitation, so check the notice and use the SBA size standard for that code when determining small-business eligibility.

Do government cleaning contracts require bonding?

There is no single bonding rule that applies to every cleaning contract. Check the solicitation for any bond requirement and ask the contracting office questions through the stated process if the language is unclear.

How can I find commercial cleaning government bids?

Search SAM.gov Contract Opportunities using terms such as janitorial, custodial, and building cleaning, and check NAICS 561720. Read the full notice and attachments because titles and scopes vary, and filter for location and set-aside requirements that fit your business.

Are government janitorial contracts available to small businesses?

Some opportunities are set aside for small businesses, while others are open to a broader pool of contractors. Review each solicitation’s set-aside and eligibility terms, and verify your size status under the NAICS code listed in that notice.