How to get government contracts for janitorial & custodial

Federal agencies hire small janitorial & custodial businesses every week. Here's the plain-English path from zero to your first bid, plus today's open janitorial & custodial bids.

Who buys janitorial & custodial services

VA clinics, Forest Service ranger stations, Army Corps project offices, FAA towers, military bases, and federal courthouses.

Step by step

Get a free Login.gov account and register on SAM.gov. Registration is free. You'll get a Unique Entity ID (UEI). Use your exact legal business name and address as they appear with the IRS. Complete registration can take several weeks, so start before you find the perfect bid. Never pay a website to register you.
Pick your NAICS codes. NAICS 561720 (janitorial services), also 561740 (carpet cleaning) and 561790 (other building services). Common PSC: S201 (custodial/janitorial).
Check which set-asides you qualify for. Most of these contracts are set aside for small businesses. Extra certifications open more: SBA 8(a), HUBZone and Women-Owned (WOSB) through SBA, and Veteran-Owned / Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned through SBA's VetCert. VA bids frequently use veteran set-asides.
Find open bids for your trade. Watch SAM.gov's Contract Opportunities, or use BidHatch's free daily pages for your trade and state. Start with quote requests (combined synopsis/solicitations) and sources-sought notices; they're the easiest to answer.
Read the whole notice and attachments. The Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work says what the job really is. Note the deadline and time zone, the submission method (usually email), required forms, insurance and licenses, and any site visit.
Submit a complete, on-time quote. Fill in every required form, sign the amendments if any were issued, price exactly to the schedule, and include licenses, insurance and short past-performance examples (commercial work counts). Late or incomplete quotes are usually thrown out.
Get free help. APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs) and your local SBA office give free one-on-one help with registration and bids.

Tips for janitorial & custodial bids

Most small cleaning contracts are quote requests under simplified procedures: a price sheet, a short technical approach and past performance.
Visit the site if a site visit is offered; your price will be far more accurate.
Price by the frequency chart in the Performance Work Statement, not by square footage alone.

Open janitorial & custodial bids right now

Building 1085 Weekly Cleaning Services

Due 2026-10-17No set-aside (open to all)ND

Heads-up: solicitation coming soon. Scope: Building 1085 Weekly Cleaning Services. Full details are in the attachments on the official notice.

DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE · NAICS 561720 · posted 2026-10-06 · Official notice on SAM.gov →

ASARCO Taylor Springs Superfund Site Facility Area and Surrounding Custodial Trust Area

Due 2026-10-19No set-aside (open to all)See notice

Market research: agency asking who can do this work (respond to get noticed). Scope: ASARCO Taylor Springs Superfund Site Facility Area and Surrounding Custodial Trust Area. Full details are in the attachments on the official notice.

DEPT OF THE ARMY · NAICS 562910 · posted 2026-10-01 · Official notice on SAM.gov →

Harry S. Truman Mass Solicitation - Custodial Services

Due 2026-10-19Small Business Set Aside - TotalWarsaw, MO

Open solicitation, bids/quotes accepted now. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has a requirement for custodial services at multiple recreation areas and facilities located at the Harry S.

DEPT OF THE ARMY · NAICS 561720 · posted 2026-10-14 · Official notice on SAM.gov →

Mt Shasta-McCloud Ranger Districts Janitorial

Due 2026-10-19Small Business Set Aside - TotalMount Shasta, CA

Open quote request (short, simplified bid). This will be the ONLY site visit for this requirement.

FOREST SERVICE · NAICS 561720 · posted 2026-10-08 · Official notice on SAM.gov →

Janitorial Services at the FMH SSC in Falmouth, MA

Due 2026-10-20Amended / updatedSmall Business Set Aside - TotalFalmouth, MA

Open quote request (short, simplified bid). Scope: Janitorial Services at the FMH SSC in Falmouth, MA. Full details are in the attachments on the official notice. The notice has been amended, so check the latest documents.

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION · NAICS 561720 · posted 2026-10-07 · Official notice on SAM.gov →

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This guide is general information, not legal or procurement advice. Always follow the instructions in each solicitation.