How do I even start bidding on federal cleaning contracts?

Register your business for free on SAM.gov. That gives you a UEI, a unique ID the government uses to identify your company, and lets you get paid for federal work. Registration can take a couple of weeks, so start before you find a contract you want.

What is a NAICS code, and which one do I need?

It is the government's industry code. For janitorial work it is 561720. You choose your codes when you register on SAM.gov, and they tell agencies what kind of work you do.

Am I small enough to qualify?

The government sets a size limit for each industry. For janitorial services it is based on your average annual revenue and the bar is high, in the low tens of millions, so almost every small cleaning company counts as a small business.

What does set-aside mean?

Some contracts are reserved for specific groups, like small businesses, women-owned firms (WOSB), service-disabled veteran-owned firms (SDVOSB), 8(a), or HUBZone companies. If a listing is set aside and you do not hold that status, you cannot bid on it. Every listing states who is eligible.

What is a Sources Sought notice, and should I respond?

It is the government doing research before a contract officially opens. Responding with a short capability statement gets you on the agency's radar and can even nudge them to set the work aside for small businesses. It is one of the best low-effort moves you can make.

What is a capability statement?

A one-page summary of your company: what you do, the work you have done before, your certifications and codes, and how to reach you. You send it in response to Sources Sought notices and to introduce yourself to agencies.

How do I actually submit a bid?

Each listing has its own instructions and a deadline. Read the Performance Work Statement (PWS), which spells out exactly what clean means for that site, price to what it says, and submit the way the notice tells you to before the deadline.

Do I need past federal experience to win?

It helps, but it is not always required. If you are new, you can build a track record by subcontracting under a larger contractor and going after smaller set-aside work first, then point to that experience on bigger bids later.

How long do these contracts last?

Many are a base year plus option years, often up to five years total. That is part of the appeal: one win can mean several years of steady, on-time-paying revenue.