Government cleaning contracts are awarded to cleaning companies that meet the buyer's requirements, price the work accurately and show they can perform it reliably.

For federal work, start with SAM.gov and NAICS 561720, Janitorial Services. SAM.gov registrations renew every 365 days. Federal award research changed on February 24, 2026, when FPDS ezSearch was retired. Current federal award research should be done in SAM.gov.

For many small cleaning companies, the most practical path is:

  1. Local government and school contracts
  2. Federal small-business set-asides
  3. Subcontracting with established government contractors
  4. Larger federal contracts after building past performance

Government Cleaning Contracts at a Glance

Contract route Main requirement Best for Where to look
Federal prime contract Active SAM.gov registration and compliant proposal Businesses ready to manage government work SAM.gov Contract Opportunities
State or local contract Registration with the relevant procurement portal Cleaning companies serving a defined area State, county, city and school portals
Subcontract Capability statement, insurance and capacity New government vendors building past performance Existing federal and local prime contractors
GSA Schedule opportunity Mature operation with government-ready pricing and systems Established firms seeking broader federal access GSA Multiple Award Schedule programs

GSA includes janitorial and custodial services in its facility-related services marketplace. Its facility-related service categories include Special Item Numbers such as 561210FAC and 561210FS. A GSA contract is not required for every government cleaning opportunity.

1. Choose the Correct Government Service Classification

The main federal classification for routine commercial cleaning is:

  • NAICS 561720: Janitorial Services

This classification generally covers janitorial, custodial and building-cleaning work. A solicitation may use another NAICS code when the main work involves facilities support, carpet cleaning, landscaping, waste removal or another specialized service.

For federal contracting purposes, SBA's 2025 size-standard table lists $22 million in average annual receipts as the small-business size standard for NAICS 561720. Check the current SBA size-standard information and the solicitation before claiming small-business eligibility. Size standards and solicitation classifications can change.

Use the same accurate NAICS codes in your SAM.gov registration, capability statement, Small Business Search profile and proposals.

2. Register Your Cleaning Company in SAM.gov

You need an active SAM.gov entity registration to bid directly on federal contracts. SAM.gov assigns a Unique Entity ID, or UEI, during registration.

The registration process requires information such as:

  • Legal business name
  • Physical business address
  • Taxpayer information
  • Ownership details
  • Bank and payment information
  • NAICS codes
  • Representations and certifications
  • Points of contact

SAM.gov states that an entity registration must be renewed every 365 days. Registration activation can take up to 10 business days, so do not wait until a solicitation is about to close.

A UEI by itself is not enough to bid as a prime contractor. SAM.gov distinguishes between obtaining a UEI and completing an active entity registration. Companies that want to apply directly for federal contracts need the full registration.

Avoid Registration Scams

SAM.gov registration is a government process. Be cautious of companies charging unnecessary fees to obtain a UEI or maintain a basic registration.

You can also contact an APEX Accelerator, formerly known as a Procurement Technical Assistance Center, for free government-contracting assistance.

3. Create a Strong Government Cleaning Capability Statement

A capability statement is a one-page document that helps contracting officers and prime contractors decide quickly whether your company fits their needs.

Include:

  • Company name, website, phone and email
  • UEI and CAGE code, if available
  • Primary NAICS codes
  • Geographic service area
  • Types of facilities cleaned
  • Square footage and staffing capacity
  • Day, night and weekend availability
  • Commercial and government past performance
  • Insurance coverage
  • Quality-control process
  • Relevant licenses and certifications
  • Equipment and specialty services
  • References or performance results

Describe your services with specific terms instead of saying only "commercial cleaning." Examples include:

  • Office and administrative building janitorial services
  • School and classroom cleaning
  • Medical-office environmental cleaning
  • Restroom sanitation
  • Floor stripping, waxing and carpet care
  • Window cleaning
  • Emergency or after-hours response
  • Green cleaning and sustainable supplies
  • Secure-facility custodial services

Your capability statement should answer three questions:

  1. What do you clean?
  2. Where do you operate?
  3. Why can your company perform the contract reliably?

4. Build Your Small Business Search Profile

Federal agencies use the SBA's Small Business Search database, formerly known as Dynamic Small Business Search, during market research. A complete profile helps agencies and prime contractors find your company before a solicitation is released.

Complete the profile with:

  • Accurate NAICS codes
  • Keywords such as janitorial, custodial, housekeeping and facility cleaning
  • Service locations
  • Bonding and insurance information
  • Socioeconomic certifications
  • Past performance
  • Quality certifications
  • Equipment and staffing details
  • Website and contact information

Do not leave the profile blank after registering in SAM.gov. An active registration with an incomplete profile gives buyers little information to evaluate.

5. Search for Federal Cleaning Opportunities on SAM.gov

SAM.gov is the official federal source for contract opportunities. Anyone can search opportunities. An account lets you save searches, follow notices and join interested-vendor lists.

Search with both keywords and filters.

Useful Search Terms

  • Janitorial services
  • Custodial services
  • Housekeeping services
  • Building cleaning
  • Facility cleaning
  • Environmental cleaning
  • Restroom cleaning
  • Floor care
  • Grounds and facility services

Useful Filters

  • NAICS 561720
  • Place of performance
  • Federal agency
  • Small-business set-aside
  • Response deadline
  • Notice type
  • Active opportunities

Read more than final solicitations. SAM.gov includes:

  • Sources sought notices
  • Presolicitation notices
  • Solicitation notices
  • Award notices
  • Sole-source notices

A sources-sought notice can give you a chance to introduce your company before the final solicitation is issued. SAM.gov also provides federal agency forecasts and small-business event information.

6. Research Previous Cleaning Contracts Before You Bid

Do not price a government contract by guessing. Research comparable awards first.

SAM.gov's contract-award search allows users to examine federal award data by:

  • Agency
  • Legal business name
  • NAICS code
  • Place of performance
  • Socioeconomic status
  • Award date
  • Contract status
  • Competition type
  • Set-aside type

Federal contract-award data previously associated with FPDS is now available through SAM.gov. The FPDS ezSearch function was retired on February 24, 2026, so current federal award research should be conducted in SAM.gov.

Look for:

  • The incumbent contractor
  • Previous contract value
  • Base period and option periods
  • Number of facilities
  • Contract size and staffing scope
  • Whether the award was set aside
  • How often the agency recompetes the work
  • Whether the requirement is likely to be rebid soon

Past awards will not always show the full pricing structure. Use them as market information, then calculate your own labor, supply, supervision, insurance and overhead costs.

7. Target Small-Business Set-Asides

Many cleaning businesses should begin with solicitations reserved for small businesses instead of competing for every unrestricted contract.

Under FAR 19.502-2, acquisitions above the micro-purchase threshold and at or below the simplified acquisition threshold generally must be set aside for small businesses when the contracting officer expects offers from at least two responsible small businesses at fair market prices. For acquisitions above the simplified acquisition threshold, contracting officers must first consider certain socioeconomic small-business programs before using a general small-business set-aside.

Relevant federal programs include:

  • 8(a) Business Development
  • HUBZone
  • Women-Owned Small Business
  • Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business
  • Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business

SBA lists NAICS 561720, Janitorial Services, as an eligible industry for the EDWOSB program. Eligibility depends on ownership, control, economic qualifications and other program requirements.

A certification can provide access to restricted competitions, but it does not replace strong pricing, past performance or the ability to staff the work. Pursue only programs for which your company genuinely qualifies.

8. Consider Subcontracting Before Pursuing a Large Prime Contract

Subcontracting can help you gain government experience without immediately managing a large, multi-site contract.

Use SAM.gov award data to identify:

  • Prime contractors holding facility-management contracts
  • Companies that repeatedly win janitorial awards
  • Contractors operating in your service area
  • Large firms that may need local cleaning partners

Send those companies a focused capability statement. Explain:

  • Your service radius
  • Number of cleaners available
  • Facility types you can support
  • Shift coverage
  • Emergency response capability
  • Insurance limits
  • Relevant commercial or government experience

SBA explains that certain large federal contracts require a small-business subcontracting plan when capable small businesses can perform subcontract work at fair market prices. Current SBA guidance identifies contracts expected to exceed $900,000, excluding construction contracts, as a key threshold for these plans.

A subcontract does not offer the same control or margin as a prime contract. It can still create references, performance records and relationships that strengthen future bids.

9. Register With State and Local Purchasing Systems

Federal contracting is only one part of the government market. Cleaning companies can also pursue contracts from:

  • State agencies
  • Counties
  • Cities and towns
  • Public school districts
  • Community colleges and universities
  • Housing authorities
  • Public hospitals
  • Transit authorities
  • Airports
  • Courts and government offices

Register separately with the purchasing systems used by the jurisdictions you serve. Search for vendor registration, procurement, bids, solicitations and custodial services.

Local contracts may be easier to pursue because:

  • The facilities are closer to your operating base
  • Site visits are easier
  • Contract areas may be smaller
  • Local references can carry practical value
  • You may compete against fewer national companies

Federal SAM.gov registration does not automatically register your company with a state, city or school district.

10. Price the Contract Using the Actual Performance Requirements

Government cleaning contracts are usually priced around a defined scope of work, not just an hourly rate.

Build your price from:

  • Direct cleaning labor
  • Payroll taxes and benefits
  • Supervisory labor
  • Cleaning chemicals and consumables
  • Equipment purchase or rental
  • Equipment maintenance
  • Uniforms and training
  • Insurance
  • Transportation
  • Administrative overhead
  • Quality-control inspections
  • Mobilization costs
  • Profit

Review the performance work statement carefully. Identify:

  • Number and type of buildings
  • Square footage
  • Cleaning frequency
  • Required shifts
  • Restroom and high-touch-point requirements
  • Floor-care schedule
  • Supply responsibilities
  • Waste and recycling requirements
  • Security or background-screening requirements
  • Inspection standards
  • Reporting requirements
  • Required response times
  • Contract base period and option years

If the solicitation includes a wage determination or labor-standards requirement, include the required wages and benefits in your calculation. Do not submit a price that works only if employees are underpaid or the contract receives no supervision.

11. Submit a Compliant Proposal

Government buyers can reject a strong cleaning company because of administrative mistakes. Before submitting, confirm that you have:

  • Signed every required form
  • Answered every question
  • Included all requested attachments
  • Used the required pricing format
  • Followed page limits
  • Acknowledged every solicitation amendment
  • Attended a mandatory site visit, if required
  • Provided references in the requested format
  • Submitted by the exact deadline
  • Confirmed that your SAM.gov registration is active

The solicitation controls the evaluation process. If the buyer specifies technical factors, past performance, staffing, price or socioeconomic status, address each factor directly and in the order requested.

A Practical 90-Day Plan

Days 1 to 15

  • Confirm your legal business information
  • Complete SAM.gov registration
  • Select accurate NAICS codes
  • Prepare insurance and financial documents
  • Create a one-page capability statement

Days 16 to 30

  • Complete your Small Business Search profile
  • Contact your local APEX Accelerator
  • Register with state and local procurement portals
  • Create SAM.gov saved searches for NAICS 561720
  • Identify agencies and facilities within your service area

Days 31 to 60

  • Study several comparable contract awards
  • Contact relevant prime contractors
  • Attend small-business outreach events
  • Respond to suitable sources-sought notices
  • Build a pricing worksheet and proposal checklist

Days 61 to 90

  • Bid only on contracts you can staff and service
  • Submit subcontracting applications to established primes
  • Track every solicitation, amendment and result
  • Request debriefing information when available
  • Improve your capability statement based on buyer feedback

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Registering in SAM.gov but failing to renew
  • Using an inaccurate NAICS code
  • Bidding outside your geographic service area
  • Pricing only the cleaning labor and ignoring supervision
  • Failing to read the full performance work statement
  • Missing amendments or mandatory site visits
  • Claiming a certification the company does not qualify for
  • Submitting a generic capability statement
  • Competing for contracts that require more staff or equipment than you have
  • Ignoring subcontracting opportunities
  • Treating past award value as guaranteed profit

Choose your next contract by asking three questions: Can your company staff the work? Can it reach the facilities consistently? Can it document the required quality and response times? If the answer is yes, register correctly, research the buyer's past awards, price the full scope and build past performance one contract at a time.