A state building with a bid closing that week, and the cleaning company an hour away
An Alabama state field office with a cleaning bid closing that week, a Texas owner with two properties, and the cleaning companies that covered them.
$2,997
Paid by each building for 2–3 cleaning companies
$4,997+
Paid by each cleaning company for 3–6 buildings over 60–90 days
2 + 2
Buildings and cleaning companies matched
The two sides
Buyers: a state field office in Clanton, Alabama, with a public cleaning solicitation closing that week, and an owner with two properties in Texas. Cleaning companies: a Birmingham operator covering Birmingham and the surrounding area, about an hour from Clanton, and a woman-owned janitorial firm that works nationwide.
What happened
01
We read the open public cleaning bids and the federal cleaning contracts coming up for renewal, then wrote to buyers and to cleaning companies in the same week.
02
The field office’s contact replied that the solicitation closed that week and asked us to send a company. A Birmingham cleaning company told us it covered Birmingham and the surrounding area. Clanton was inside its range, so we moved the same day.
03
A property owner said two Texas properties needed help and asked how we get paid. We answered directly with the fee. A nationwide janitorial firm confirmed it would take buildings in Texas.
04
Each building paid for the sourcing, each cleaning company paid for its package, and the introductions went out by email with the deadline and the scope on the thread.
Why it worked
A public building cannot call a friend. It posts the job, with a deadline. When the deadline is this week, the cleaning company that hears first is the one that bids.