Janitorial Services Government Contracts
Government janitorial contracts cover routine custodial work in federal buildings, courthouses, military installations, schools, and state facilities. Most solicitations are firm-fixed-price, awarded under NAICS 561720, and frequently set aside for small businesses — including 8(a), HUBZone, and SDVOSB firms. Agencies care most about staffing reliability, quality control, and your ability to pass background checks for building access.
Common requirements in janitorial services contracts
- Performance Work Statement (PWS) compliance — cleaning frequencies by room type, often specified per square foot
- Quality Control Plan (QCP) aligned to the agency's Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP)
- Staff background checks / suitability determinations for facility access badges
- Green cleaning standards (often CIMS-GB or EPA Safer Choice products)
- OSHA-compliant safety program and SDS sheets for all chemicals
- Liability insurance, typically $1M per occurrence, and workers' compensation
Documents you'll need ready
- Capability statement with janitorial past performance
- Active SAM.gov registration (UEI) under NAICS 561720
- Quality Control Plan
- Staffing plan with supervision ratios
- Certificates of insurance
- Price proposal per the solicitation's pricing schedule (often price per sq. ft. or monthly rate)
Proposal checklist
- Confirm site visit attendance — many janitorial RFPs make it mandatory
- Map every PWS task and frequency to a row in your technical approach
- Name your on-site supervisor and escalation chain
- Include a 30-day phase-in plan covering hiring and badge processing
- Verify wage determinations (Service Contract Act) are built into pricing
- Acknowledge all amendments on the SF-1449/SF-33
Who buys janitorial services
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need past government experience to win janitorial contracts?
No. Agencies accept relevant commercial past performance — large office buildings, hospitals, and schools all count. Strong references with measurable quality records can outweigh missing federal experience, especially on small business set-asides.
What is the Service Contract Act and does it apply?
The SCA (now SCLS) requires paying federally-determined minimum wages and benefits to service employees on most federal contracts over $2,500. The wage determination is attached to the solicitation — price your labor from it, not from local market rates.
How are janitorial proposals usually evaluated?
Most use Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) or best value with technical approach, past performance, and price. A compliant, specific quality control plan is the most common technical differentiator.