Set up your business

Get the basics in place: a registered business with an EIN (your free federal tax ID from irs.gov), a business bank account (the government pays by direct deposit), and insurance (general liability at least, and many sites also want workers' compensation). Make sure your business name and address match your IRS records exactly, that matters in the next step.

Register on SAM.gov, for free

SAM.gov is the official system you have to be in to bid and get paid. Create a free Login.gov account, validate your business, and you are issued a UEI (your company's ID number) and a CAGE code automatically. While you are in there, add your NAICS codes, the one for cleaning is 561720, plus any others that fit. It is completely free, so ignore anyone who offers to register you for a fee. It takes about 7 to 10 days to activate and renews once a year, so start now rather than waiting for a contract you want. Almost every small cleaning company counts as a small business here, which unlocks the contracts set aside for small firms.

Make a one-page capability statement

Think of it as your federal resume: who you are, the services you offer, why you are reliable, a few references (commercial work counts), and your company details (UEI, CAGE, NAICS, contact). You will send it when you reply to early notices or introduce yourself to an agency.

Find the right contracts

This is the part GovGigs does for you each week. You will see two kinds: open solicitations you can bid on now, and Sources Sought notices, early heads-ups where a quick reply with your capability statement gets you on the agency's radar before the work is even posted. Filter for your state and bid where you fit.

Read the listing, then price it right

Each contract comes with a work statement (the PWS) that says exactly what is needed, how often, and to what standard. It also comes with a wage determination, the minimum wage plus benefits you are required to pay your cleaners. This is the big one: price your bid around those required wages, or you will lose money or get disqualified. Then add supplies, equipment, supervision, insurance, overhead, and profit. Most contracts run several years, so one win can mean steady income.

Submit on time, then perform

Follow the submission instructions exactly, and never submit at the last minute, late or incomplete bids are thrown out. Win or lose, keep going. Doing good work builds a track record that helps you win the next one, and you can ask for a quick debrief on any bid you lose.