LGBTBE Certification for Facilities & Janitorial Companies

For businesses that are at least 51% owned by LGBT individuals.

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.

Must be at least 51% owned by LGBT individuals who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

LGBTBE eligibility requires LGBT-identifying ownership plus genuine operational control. NGLCC's review process is modeled on the NMSDC and WBENC frameworks; ownership on paper without real management authority will not pass.

LGBT ownership

• At least 51% owned by one or more individuals who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender
• Ownership must be unconditional and not subject to override provisions that effectively give control to a non-LGBT owner
• Ownership interest must be real and continuous, not a nominal or temporary transfer created to qualify
• Owners must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents

Control: management and operations

• LGBT owner(s) must hold the highest officer position (President, CEO, or Managing Member)
• LGBT owner(s) must control day-to-day business operations
• LGBT owner(s) must make long-term strategic decisions including hiring, major expenditures, and client contracts
• Management authority cannot be effectively delegated to non-LGBT individuals through employment agreements or informal arrangements

Business requirements

• For-profit enterprise operating in the U.S.
• Independently operated, not a subsidiary or affiliate where a non-LGBT parent entity exercises control
• Demonstrated business activity: real clients, contracts, or revenue
• No specific years-in-business minimum, though very new businesses may be asked for additional evidence of operations

Step 1: Check the chamber-membership waiver before you start NGLCC's certification fee is $899, with a $499 recertification fee. Both are waived if you hold current membership in your local affiliate chamber of commerce, so confirm that status first. Verify the current fee schedule at nglcc.org before applying.

Step 2: Gather documents before opening the application Collect everything before you start: articles of incorporation or organization, operating agreement or bylaws showing the LGBT owner's percentage and management authority, stock certificates or membership ledger, government-issued photo ID for the LGBT owner(s), three years of business tax returns (or all available years for newer businesses), a current profit & loss statement and balance sheet, business license, and a representative sample of signed contracts or purchase orders. Having documents ready prevents mid-session interruptions.

Step 3: Create your NGLCC account and complete the application at nglcc.org Register at nglcc.org/get-certified and work through the full application. The application covers ownership structure, management authority, financial overview, and business capabilities. Answer precisely and consistently; reviewers compare your answers directly against your supporting documents.

Step 4: Upload your document package Upload all documents gathered in Step 2. Label files clearly (e.g., "OperatingAgreement_2024.pdf" rather than "document1.pdf"). Mislabeled or incomplete uploads are the most common reason NGLCC staff issue follow-up requests that delay processing.

Step 5: LGBT identity declaration You self-certify your LGBT identity. NGLCC does not require third-party documentation of sexual orientation or gender identity. Your declaration is treated as confidential.

Step 6: NGLCC review and verification NGLCC staff reviews the application and supporting documents. For some applicants, this includes a phone interview or a virtual site visit to verify that business operations match the application and that the LGBT owner exercises genuine control. Respond promptly to any scheduling requests.

Step 7: Certification decision NGLCC targets 30-60 days for a certification decision on a complete application. Complex ownership structures or high application volume can extend this. Once certified, you're listed in the NGLCC supplier database and can begin using the LGBTBE mark.

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.