Many power washing businesses focus strictly on residential and small commercial clients, but there’s a lesser-known and highly lucrative avenue available: government contracts. 🏗️💰
From city governments needing sidewalk cleaning to school districts maintaining playgrounds, there’s consistent, high-volume work available—if you know how to find and win the bids.
In this guide, we’ll break down how to land government power washing jobs, how the bidding process works, and how to position your business to win recurring contracts. 🧾🏆
🧠 Why Government Contracts Are Worth Pursuing
Local, state, and federal agencies outsource millions of dollars in cleaning and maintenance services each year. Power washing is often included in these budgets.
Here’s why government work matters:
✅ Consistent demand – Municipal buildings, sidewalks, bridges, and transportation fleets all need regular cleaning.
✅ Long-term contracts – Many run for 12–36 months, creating recurring revenue.
✅ Reputation booster – Winning a government bid increases your credibility for future jobs.
✅ Higher ticket jobs – Jobs are often large scale, not just a driveway or patio.
Government clients are slow to onboard—but very steady once the relationship is built. 🏗️📆
🔎 Where to Find Government Bids
You won’t find government contracts advertised on Facebook or Craigslist. Instead, use official procurement sites. Here are a few:
🌐 Federal Opportunities:
- SAM.gov – Official government contract portal
- FedBizOpps.gov – Consolidated into SAM
🏙️ State & Local Opportunities:
- Your state’s procurement site (e.g., California eProcure, Texas SmartBuy)
- Local government websites (county, city, school districts)
- BidNet
- GovWin
Search for keywords like:
- “Power washing”
- “Pressure washing”
- “Exterior cleaning”
- “Graffiti removal”
Set up alerts so you’re notified when new bids are posted. 🔔📬
🧾 Understanding the Bidding Process
Government contracts usually go through a structured bid process:
📘 Step-by-Step:
- Request for Proposal (RFP) or Invitation to Bid (ITB) is posted
- You download the bid packet
- Review scope of work, deadlines, and requirements
- Submit your proposal or quote by the deadline
- Government agency reviews and scores submissions
- Contract is awarded to the most qualified or lowest-priced bidder
💡 Tip: Many agencies prefer vendors who are local, certified, and insured.
🛠️ What to Include in a Winning Proposal
Winning isn’t just about being the cheapest. Your proposal needs to look professional and thorough.
📑 Strong Proposals Usually Include:
- Business overview and qualifications
- Scope of work confirmation
- Timeline and work schedule
- Equipment list and techniques
- Safety plan and environmental practices
- References (especially from similar contracts)
- Proof of insurance and licensing
- Pricing breakdown
Use formal language and proofread carefully. A sloppy proposal gets tossed fast. 🗂️❌
🏗️ Certifications That Can Give You an Edge
In some cases, certifications can make you more competitive—or even required.
Valuable Certifications:
- DBE – Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
- WBE/MBE – Woman/Minority-Owned Business
- SAM Registration – Required for federal bids
- DUNS/UEI Number – Used to track business data
Some cities also prioritize small local businesses. Check if there’s a vendor registration system with your city or county.
🧰 Tools & Systems to Help You Manage Bids
Managing bids manually can be chaotic. Consider using tools to stay organized:
- Trello or Asana for bid tracking
- Google Calendar for deadline reminders
- DocuSign for contract signatures
- QuickBooks or FreshBooks for creating polished invoices post-contract
It’s also smart to have templates ready for:
- Proposal cover letters
- Pricing sheets
- Safety plans
🧠 The more standardized your process, the more bids you can respond to efficiently.
💸 How Much Should You Charge?
Unlike residential jobs where customers care about affordability, government contracts are more focused on:
- Cost justification
- Quality of service
- Vendor compliance
Make sure your pricing reflects:
- Labor hours (plus prevailing wage laws in some cases)
- Equipment use and transportation
- Surface material and square footage
- Cleaning agents and water usage
Don’t underbid just to win—it could sink your profitability or reputation. 📉
🛑 Pitfalls to Avoid
Government work is rewarding—but there are some landmines to avoid:
🚫 Missing submission deadlines
🚫 Underbidding and losing money
🚫 Failing to meet insurance or licensing requirements
🚫 Ignoring contract fine print
🚫 Taking on too many contracts too quickly
Build a strong foundation, then scale your bidding efforts. 🎯
🤝 Building Relationships with Procurement Officers
Once you’ve bid a few times, try to establish connections with:
- City buyers or procurement agents
- Facility maintenance supervisors
- Contracting officers
Ask for feedback on past submissions. Even if you lose a bid, this helps you improve and shows you’re serious.
Good relationships can result in invited bids (closed to the public) or pre-qualification opportunities. 👥📞
🧼 Final Thoughts
Government contracts can turn your power washing business into a steady, scalable operation. With the right prep, professional proposals, and patience, these contracts can deliver long-term growth.
Start by getting registered, setting up alerts, and responding to smaller local bids. Build your credibility—and then go after larger multi-year contracts.
If you want dependable, high-paying jobs that keep your calendar full all year, government work is one of the best paths forward. 🏛️💼🧽
