Janitorial · Government contracting
Janitorial Government Contracts & Bids
Last reviewed August 14, 2026 · How we source this
Government agencies contract out custodial and cleaning services for thousands of buildings — offices, schools, courthouses, and military facilities. Unlike construction, janitorial work is a recurring services contract, often awarded on a mix of price and past performance, and it comes with its own labor rules.
NAICS codes for janitorial contractors
- 561720 — Janitorial Services
Not sure which codes apply to your business? See the NAICS code definition in the glossary.
Typical government janitorial projects
- Recurring custodial contracts for public office buildings and facilities.
- School and university custodial services.
- Specialized cleaning — floor care, windows, post-construction, and disinfection.
- Multi-building or region-wide services contracts, often as IDIQ or multi-year awards.
Where the work is
Federal custodial work (GSA buildings, VA, and military installations) posts on SAM.gov and is a large, steady category; the AbilityOne program also reserves some federal custodial work for agencies employing people who are blind or have significant disabilities. State facilities agencies, universities, school districts, cities, and counties all contract custodial services locally.
You can also browse opportunities by state to see how the work is posted where you operate.
What it takes to win janitorial bids
- Janitorial is a services contract — the federal Service Contract Act (SCA), not Davis-Bacon, sets minimum wages and benefits; price to the applicable SCA wage determination.
- Awards are often best-value (past performance plus price) or lowest-price technically acceptable (LPTA); a clean performance record matters.
- Contracts are frequently multi-year or IDIQ, so one win can mean years of recurring revenue.
- On federal work, check whether the requirement is reserved under AbilityOne or a small-business set-aside before investing in a bid.
- Bonds are less common than in construction, but a bid may require insurance and a credible transition/staffing plan.
For the full pursuit process, read How to Win Government Contracts.
Janitorial government contracting FAQ
What NAICS code do janitorial contractors use for government contracts?
What NAICS code do janitorial contractors use for government contracts?
Janitorial and custodial contractors use NAICS 561720, Janitorial Services. It classifies cleaning and custodial services for buildings, which is how these recurring services contracts are categorized for procurement and size standards.
Do prevailing wages apply to government janitorial contracts?
Do prevailing wages apply to government janitorial contracts?
Federal janitorial contracts follow the Service Contract Act (SCA), not Davis-Bacon. The SCA sets minimum wages and fringe benefits by locality and job category, so you price your bid to the applicable SCA wage determination rather than a construction prevailing-wage rate.
Where are government janitorial contracts posted?
Where are government janitorial contracts posted?
Federal custodial work is posted on SAM.gov and is a large category — though some is reserved through the AbilityOne program. State facilities agencies, universities, school districts, cities, and counties all contract custodial services locally on their own portals.
Find janitorial contracts that match your business
GovBid Finder scores every federal, state, and local opportunity against your trade, size, and service area. Free to use; only pay 3% when you win.