EDWOSB Certification for Facilities & Janitorial Companies

Why EDWOSB Certification Matters for Facilities & Janitorial Companies

Federal certification for economically disadvantaged women-owned businesses, providing access to additional set-aside contracts.

For facilities & janitorial businesses, EDWOSB certification opens doors to corporate supplier diversity programs and federal contracting opportunities specifically targeting this sector. Many Fortune 500 companies and government agencies have dedicated spending goals for EDWOSB-certified suppliers in facilities & janitorial.

Facilities and janitorial services is one of the strongest sectors for diverse supplier participation. Here's why certification matters: **Frequent Small Business Set-Asides**: NAICS 561720 (Janitorial Services) is one of the most small-business-friendly codes in federal contracting, with frequent set-asides for 8(a), WOSB/EDWOSB, SDVOSB, and HUBZone businesses. The SBA size standard allows firms up to $22 million in annual revenue, making set-asides accessible to growing companies. **Recurring Contract Revenue**: Facilities and janitorial contracts are typically multi-year (base year plus option years), providing stable, recurring revenue. Federal contracts often run 5 years total, and corporate contracts are similarly long-term. **Every Facility Needs Service**: Unlike specialized industries, every office building, hospital, courthouse, military installation, and campus needs cleaning and maintenance. This creates a massive, diversified customer base. **Low Capital Requirements**: Compared to construction or manufacturing, entry barriers are relatively low. You need trained staff, basic equipment, and insurance—not heavy machinery or factories. **AbilityOne Program**: The AbilityOne Program is the largest source of employment for people who are blind or have significant disabilities, using federal purchasing power to buy services from qualifying nonprofits. Understanding this program helps diverse suppliers identify adjacent opportunities.

EDWOSB Eligibility Requirements

Meets WOSB requirements plus owner's personal net worth under $850,000 and average adjusted gross income under $400,000.

To qualify for EDWOSB certification: **Must meet all WOSB requirements, plus:** **Economic Disadvantage Requirements:** - Personal net worth under $850,000 (excluding primary residence and business equity) - Average adjusted gross income under $400,000 over the past 3 years - Fair market value of assets under $6.5 million **The economically disadvantaged woman owner must:** - Own at least 51% of the business - Control management and daily operations

How to Apply for EDWOSB as a Facilities & Janitorial Business

1. **Step 1: Ensure WOSB Eligibility**
2. Meet all WOSB requirements first.
3. **Step 2: Gather Economic Documentation**
4. Prepare personal financial statements, tax returns showing AGI.
5. **Step 3: Apply via certify.sba.gov**
6. Complete EDWOSB application with economic disadvantage documentation.
7. **Step 4: Submit Documents**
8. Upload all required personal and business documents.
9. **Step 5: Await Decision**
10. SBA reviews and issues decision.

Government Facilities & Janitorial Opportunities

**Federal Opportunities** Key agencies purchasing janitorial and facilities services: - **General Services Administration (GSA)**: Manages federal buildings nationwide, over $1.4B in Facilities category sales via GSA Schedule in FY2024 - **Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)**: Hundreds of VA hospitals and clinics needing daily custodial and facilities services - **Department of Defense (DoD)**: Military installations, barracks, offices, and training facilities - **US Postal Service (USPS)**: Thousands of post offices requiring cleaning and maintenance **Contract Vehicles** - GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) - Facilities Category - Agency-specific Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) - IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity) contracts for ongoing services - 8(a) sole-source contracts up to $4.5 million **Set-Aside Opportunities** NAICS 561720 has extensive small business set-asides: - Total Small Business set-asides - 8(a) competitive and sole-source - WOSB and EDWOSB set-asides - SDVOSB set-asides (especially at the VA) - HUBZone set-asides **State and Local** State buildings, public schools, universities, transit systems, and municipal buildings all contract for janitorial and facilities services, often with diverse supplier goals.

Other Certifications for Facilities & Janitorial Companies

EDWOSB Certification for Other Industries