How to Find Government Contracts for Your Cleaning Business

The federal government spends hundreds of billions of dollars every year on contracted services, and a significant share of that goes to janitorial, custodial, and facility maintenance work. If you run a cleaning business, government contracts can provide steady, long-term revenue that private-sector clients rarely offer.

But finding the right opportunities takes more than browsing SAM.gov once and hoping something pops up. Here is a practical guide to help you find contracts that actually fit your business.

1. Register on SAM.gov

Before you can bid on any federal contract, your business must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). Registration is free, but it takes time. You will need your EIN, DUNS/UEI number, bank account information, and details about your business structure.

Plan on the registration process taking two to four weeks. Do not wait until you find a contract you want to bid on.

2. Know Your NAICS Code

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code tells the government what kind of work your company does. For cleaning businesses, the most common code is 561720, which covers Janitorial Services. Other relevant codes include 561210 (Facilities Support Services) and 561790 (Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings).

When searching for opportunities, filtering by NAICS code is one of the fastest ways to find relevant contracts.

3. Search SAM.gov Contract Opportunities

SAM.gov is the official source for federal contract opportunities. You can search by keyword (try "janitorial," "custodial," "floor care," or "cleaning services"), filter by state, notice type, and set-aside category.

The search interface can be overwhelming at first. Tools like GovCleanBids simplify the process by filtering specifically for cleaning-related contracts and presenting them in a cleaner format.

4. Understand Notice Types

Not every listing on SAM.gov is ready for a bid. Here is what the main notice types mean:

Presolicitation: The agency is planning to release a solicitation soon. Use this time to prepare.
Solicitation: The agency is actively accepting bids. This is where you submit your proposal.
Combined Synopsis/Solicitation: A combined announcement and request for bids, common for smaller contracts.
Sources Sought: The agency is doing market research. Responding can get you on their radar for future work.

5. Check Set-Aside Categories

Many government contracts are "set aside" for specific types of small businesses. If your company qualifies as a small business, woman-owned, veteran-owned, HUBZone, or 8(a), you may have less competition on certain contracts.

Understanding which set-asides apply to your business can dramatically increase your win rate.

6. Look Beyond Federal

While SAM.gov covers federal contracts, state and local governments also hire cleaning companies regularly. Check your state's procurement portal and local government websites for additional opportunities.

Start Today

Government contracting is not as complicated as it looks from the outside. The hardest part is getting started. Register on SAM.gov, learn your NAICS code, and start searching. The contracts are out there, and cleaning businesses have a real advantage because the demand never stops.