How to Write a Cleaning RFP That Gets Honest Bids

A vague RFP gets vague bids — and vague bids are how you end up with a vendor who goes silent in month two. Here’s what to put in yours.

What to include

• Scope of work: exactly what’s cleaned, room by room / area by area
• Frequencies: daily, weekly, monthly tasks spelled out
• Sites: addresses and square footage for each location
• Term: contract length and renewal terms
• What bidders must prove: insurance, references, and how they handle quality

Questions to ask every bidder

• Will you walk our facility before bidding? (If no, disqualify them.)
• Who is my point of contact — a person or a call center?
• How do you maintain standards after the first month?
• What happens when something gets missed?

Red flags

• No walkthrough offered — they’re guessing at your price.
• Vague scope — “full cleaning” means nothing. Details mean everything.
• Price-only bids — the cheapest bid with no scope is the most expensive mistake.

How we respond to RFPs

We walk every site before we bid — we won’t guess at your price. Send us your RFP and we’ll respond with a clear scope, schedule, and honest pricing.