Do you want to run a commercial cleaning business and want to get government contracts? If YES, here are 7 guaranteed steps to get government cleaning contracts.
Taking enough time to gather adequate information on what it entails to get cleaning contracts from the government usually ensures that your work is simplified in the event that an offer comes up. There are opportunities for small businesses as the federal government reserves one-fifth of the total available federal contracts for them.
This is a great opportunity that small janitorial and cleaning service providers can take advantage of, and this article would serve as a guide to show you how this can be done. Before making efforts to get cleaning contracts, the following should be considered.
Type of Contracts to Look For
There is a wide range of janitorial services contracts, and there are usually as many as a hundred opportunities available each day in the United States. Open bidding opportunities are regularly posted by local, state, and federal government agencies and small businesses can send in their proposals to show interest.
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Spot Bid
A common type of government contract is the “spot bid.” In this contract, the company that wins the contract performs a job, and once the job ends the contract expires. There are also government contracts that can last for as long as a year or more than that.
How Pricing is Calculated for a Cleaning Project
The surface area of the property to be cleaned is the major determining factor by which the prices of janitorial and cleaning contracts are calculated. When preparing a proposal, the company will usually include the wages of employees, cost of supplies, insurance, etc.
There is also room for profit which the company expects to gain after the job is done. This can be between 20-30%. The company will also take into consideration any additional jobs but they are required to ensure that the accurate prices are indicated.
How to Apply for Government Cleaning Contracts the Right Way
i. Proposal List
Getting an invite to present an offer or an open bidding process are the two methods that are usually implemented in getting Government bid proposals. The government agency usually decides on what process to adopt in getting companies on the bidding list, and this can change depending on what agency is concerned.
Some require that you become a qualified vendor first, which could include submitting copies of your insurance documents or business licenses, while other agencies just ask that bidders respond to their requests for proposals.
ii. Request for Proposals
The request for proposal gives a clear statement of all jobs required of the contractor, insurance, wages, pre-bid meetings, interviews, etc.
A date on or before which a response to the RFP must have been sent is also included. The proposal will also give a detailed explanation of how the contracts will be awarded and a guideline for you to follow when giving a quotation and for your response.
iii. Review the RFP
A request for proposal (RFP) is a document that solicits a proposal. Going through the RFP helps you get a more in-depth understanding of what is required of you and how you should go about sending feedback. It is good to have a small book to note down points which you feel are most significant.
Some documents which you may be required to provide include resumes of your key company officials and appropriate business licenses. It may also state a standard that you should follow in giving your response.
This can help you determine areas in which you are lacking and decide on measures that can be put in place to fill up those voids. A security clearance may be needed for your employees to work in these government buildings which you may need to look into or if needed you can allocate portions to each of your company managers to handle.
iv. Obtain Your D-U-N-S Number
A D-U-N-S number or Dun & Bradstreet number in full is a nine-digit number that is used to specify where your business is located.
If you have more than a single business outlet, you will need to get one for each outlet. This number is a necessity for any company interested in making a bid or an offer for a government contract. This includes janitorial companies as well. It is quite easy to get a D-U-N-S number, and it is also free.
The requirement for getting the number is to complete paperwork where you specify your Business Name as well as the size of your business.
v. Complete SAM Registration
The System of Award Management, also known as SAM, is a system used by the government to get information on companies that bid for contracts.
Any company bidding on federal government janitorial contracts is required to have a SAM registration. The North American Industry Classification System code also known as a NAICS code, is requested on the paperwork, so you will need to use 561720, which is the code for janitorial services.
Getting a SAM registration makes it easier for companies, as well as government agencies, to easily locate your business when the need arises for a janitorial service.
vi. Search for Opportunities
There are many ways to get contracts and you don’t need to wait around until an opportunity to bid arises. Visiting sites such asFedBizOpps at FBO.gov or signing up for the GSA Program, which is a federal program geared to help service companies such as janitorial companies, get on an approved vendor program.
Another site, GovCM.com is used to sort janitorial services according to states. Forming a partnership with businesses that include the minority, veteran, or woman-owned provides more opportunity for you as some opportunities are only open to these classes.
vii. Provide Complete Bid Information
Giving detailed information is important when the opportunity comes to place an offer for a janitorial contract. A Request for Proposal document is usually issued by the governing agency, and this gives you the means to explain why you think you are more suited for the job than your competitors and your disposition towards all the services required of you.
It is important you describe in detail your degree of exposure as a business owner as well as the amount of experience that your staff has been able to accumulate while providing these janitorial services. You should send in your offer before the deadline stated and be sure to return to the agency at a later date for results.