How to Organize a Supply Closet?
December 23, 2025
US&S Appoints Matthew Smith as the New Chief Operating Officer
January 30, 2026Government facilities require cleaning providers to meet strict regulatory, security, and operational standards. Selecting the right third-party cleaning partner begins with asking the right questions to verify a provider’s ability to meet and maintain these requirements.
From federal eligibility and staff authorization to compliance and security protocols, the right questions help ensure your facility is protected and properly maintained, even by people who are not direct government employees.
Essential Vetting Criteria for Government Cleaning Services
Is the cleaning company registered with SAM.gov?
Any janitorial provider bidding on federal contracts must be registered in the U.S. System for Award Management (SAM.gov). This registration confirms the company is eligible to work with federal agencies.
A registered provider should be able to supply their Unique Entity ID (UEI) upon request. Without SAM.gov registration, a company is not eligible to compete for federal cleaning contracts.
What this means for your agency:
- Confirm the provider is actively registered in SAM.gov and eligible for federal contracting at the time of review.
- Request the provider’s Unique Entity ID (UEI), and verify the registration status directly in the SAM.gov system.
- Ensure the registration is current and not expired.
- Document the verification as part of your procurement or vendor approval process.
Does the company have experience with government cleaning contracts?
Government facilities require cleaning practices that go beyond standard commercial services, especially in secure or regulated environments.
Providers with government cleaning experience understand documentation requirements, controlled-access procedures, and the operational standards needed to support federal, state, and municipal facilities reliably. This experience is a strong signal that the provider knows how to work within tight guidelines and can be trusted to deliver consistent results.
What this means for your agency:
- Request examples of prior government contracts, including facility types and scopes of work.
- Ask how the provider handled compliance documentation, such as access authorization logs, incident reports, and performance audits in those environments.
Does the staff meet federal facility access and clearance requirements?
Staff assigned to government facilities must meet required access and clearance standards before entering secure or restricted areas. A qualified cleaning provider should be able to confirm that all on-site personnel are authorized to work within the facility, comply with applicable federal requirements, and complete any site-specific training.
What this means for your agency:
- Confirm that all assigned personnel meet the specific clearance, background check, and training requirements defined by your facility.
- Verify that the cleaning provider has a designated Facility Security Officer (FSO) responsible for managing employee clearances, background checks, and access approvals.
- Establish a process for ongoing coordination with your facility’s security team.
Is the provider knowledgeable about government compliance and legal standards?
Government cleaning providers must comply with a range of federal, state, and agency-specific regulations that govern how public-sector facilities are maintained. A qualified provider should understand applicable safety standards, documentation requirements, and facility policies, and ensure all services are performed in alignment with current legal and regulatory expectations.
What this means for your agency:
- Ask the provider to outline the regulations and standards they follow and how compliance is documented.
- Confirm they have written procedures for audits, incident reporting, and regulatory updates relevant to your facility.
Are crews trained in security protocols and access control procedures?
Security awareness is essential when cleaning government facilities. Cleaning crews should be trained to follow access control procedures, respect restricted areas, and properly secure spaces after cleaning is complete.
What this means for your agency:
- Require documentation of security training programs.
- Confirm how and how often crews are trained or retrained.
- Ensure procedures are in place for reporting security concerns and handling access violations.
Does the company use approved or certified green cleaning products?
A strong government cleaning provider should use approved or certified green cleaning products whenever possible to support sustainability, occupant health, and environmental standards.
Look for providers that hold recognized certifications — such as ISSA’s CIMS-GB (Green Building) — which signal an organizational commitment to environmentally responsible practices and oversight of green cleaning protocols.
What this means for your agency:
- Request a list of cleaning products and certifications used at your facility.
- Confirm they align with your agency’s sustainability policies and any required green cleaning standards.
- Establish approval procedures for product substitutions.
Is there an opportunity for a long-term government cleaning partnership?
Government agencies often benefit from long-term cleaning partnerships built on consistency, accountability, and adaptability. Selecting the right janitorial partner is crucial, as the ideal provider will consistently deliver dependable service while adapting to the facility’s evolving needs.
What this means for your agency:
- Discuss contract duration, performance metrics, and escalation procedures upfront.
- Evaluate the provider’s ability to scale services, maintain staffing continuity, and support changing facility or security requirements over time.
Choosing the Right Government Cleaning Provider
A structured evaluation process is essential when selecting a cleaning provider for government facilities. Asking the right questions and requiring clear documentation help agencies reduce risk, maintain compliance, and protect sensitive environments. Providers that can confidently meet these criteria demonstrate they are prepared to operate within the accountability, security, and regulatory expectations of public-sector facilities.
Trusted by Federal and Municipal Agencies
US&S is an eligible government cleaning provider with a proven record of public-sector performance. Committed to quality, accountability, and stewardship, US&S holds five national certifications and brings more than 20 years of experience supporting federal and municipal facilities.
Over the years, US&S has supported facilities for the following agencies:
- U.S. Department of Energy
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- U.S. Air Force
- U.S. Navy
- General Services Administration (GSA)
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Contact US&S to request a consultation and learn how our team can support your facility with dependable, security-conscious cleaning services.
