Cleaning Tenders: Common 'Buyer' Concerns

When writing your next bid for a commercial cleaning tender, it's likely the buyer will have some concerns they want addressing. Luckily for you, these concerns are usually relatively similar. Today I'm going to take you through each one so you can have your answers readily available within your bid library (by the way, if you need help creating a well-organised bid library, get in touch - it's what we do!) .

Communicating with the Public

It may not be something you've even considered, but relatively often, commercial cleaners will be required to interact with the general public. When bidding for a cleaning tender, it's important to keep this in mind. It's crucial that buyers are confident in your (and your staff's) ability to interact with the public in a professional, respectful, and helpful manner.

As the frontline representative of the buyer, your cleaning business must demonstrate a commitment to upholding their code of conduct and maintaining their positive reputation.

To achieve this, you should prioritise effective communication, emphasise the quality of your services, and showcase your ability to provide personalised solutions that meet the specific needs of the buyer.

Consider the Environment

When bidding for a cleaning tender, it's important to consider the upstream and downstream environmental impacts of your cleaning services. Water usage is a very common topic area that buyers may inquire about. Therefore, having an ISO14001 certification can provide reassurance to the buyer that your cleaning business has implemented systems to monitor and improve its environmental impact. In addition, it's important to consider the safe and selective use of materials and supplies, particularly when it comes to using bleach. You must strike a balance between providing an effective cleaning service while minimising any negative impacts on the local environment. Therefore, showcasing your commitment to using eco-friendly cleaning products and methods can set your cleaning business apart from the competition and increase your chances of winning the tender. It's crucial to emphasise these environmental considerations in your cleaning tender writing, as it demonstrates your business's dedication to sustainability and responsible business practices.

Be Proactive (and Reactive) in your Scheduling

This wont be applicable to all cleaning contracts, but many will require extensive and detailed cleaning planing due to the scale of the building and/or area.

To increase your chances of winning a commercial cleaning tender, it's essential to showcase your ability to handle large cleaning areas and provide regular maintenance visits to maintain their pristine appearance.

In addition, it's important to demonstrate your flexibility to accommodate 'reactive' services as required by many service contracts.

Your proposal should highlight how you plan to meet the required proactive and reactive schedules, and address any additional needs promptly and effectively.

Cleaning Health & Safety

When writing a cleaning tender, it's important to consider potential hazards that may arise during cleaning, such as slips, trips, and falls. Floor cleaning, in particular, can pose a risk, even in appropriately segregated areas. Therefore, it's crucial to prioritise the safety of staff, and the public, by redirecting foot traffic away from the cleaning site and ensuring that cleaning products are applied safely.

Additionally, if window cleaning is required, working at height must be taken into consideration.

Depending on the size of the building, fall restraint PPE or rope access trained cleaners may be required to ensure the safety of your team.

By including thorough health and safety considerations in your cleaning tender writing, you can demonstrate to potential clients that you prioritise the well-being of their staff, customers, and property.