Commercial cleaning bid template — Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
Augusta spans Richmond County in Georgia and Aiken County in South Carolina, anchored by Fort Eisenhower (formerly Fort Gordon), the Army Cyber Center of Excellence, and Savannah River Site — a DOE nuclear facility across the border. Augusta University Medical Center and a growing cybersecurity contractor cluster round out the institutional base. Georgia's minimum wage follows the federal floor at $7.25/hr; the competitive market wage for commercial janitors runs $13–$15/hr.
Augusta Labor Rate Inputs
BLS OEWS May 2024 (SOC 37-2011) places the Augusta-Richmond County MSA mean in the $13–$15/hr range. Georgia DOL maintains current wage standards at Georgia Department of Labor. See the wages breakdown for the Augusta MSA.
Burden math on a $14/hr base: FICA 7.65% = $1.07; FUTA/SUTA ~2.2% = $0.31; Georgia workers' comp approximately $2.50–$3.50 per $100 payroll; health insurance ~$2.75/hr; vacation/PTO ~4%. Total burden: 28–35%, loaded rate near $18–$20/hr. Use the production-rate calculator for full margin modeling.
Augusta Pricing Benchmarks
| Segment | Typical Frequency | Market Rate Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class B suburban office (5k–15k sq ft) | 3×/week | $0.09–$0.13/sq ft/month | Riverwatch Pkwy, Evans, Martinez corridors |
| Cyber/defense contractor office | 5×/week | $0.13–$0.19/sq ft/month | Fort Eisenhower vicinity; SCA required |
| Medical office (AU Health, university) | 5×/week | $0.16–$0.22/sq ft/month | Bloodborne pathogen compliance required |
| Hospitality/hotel (Masters week spike) | Daily | $0.13–$0.19/sq ft/month | April Masters Tournament event premium |
| Day porter (full-time) | Daily | $2,100–$2,800/month | Multi-tenant commercial buildings |
Validate rates against cleaning bid benchmarks. Model thin margins with the bid stress-test tool.
Scope-of-Work Essentials for Augusta
Cyber and defense contractor accounts near Fort Eisenhower require security clearance background checks; many require prime contractor sponsorship before a cleaning subcontractor accesses the facility. Medical office scopes must address OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen requirements (29 CFR 1910.1030). Hospitality accounts with Masters Tournament events require explicit surge-crew language and premium pricing for April. Use the scope-of-work generator for complete exhibits.
- Include security clearance and background-check compliance language for defense accounts
- Define Masters week event-cleaning scope with surge pricing or separate event contract
- List disinfectants by EPA Reg. No. for medical accounts
- Delineate office scope vs. any restricted lab or server-room areas
- Confirm Georgia and SC recycling requirements for cross-border accounts
Georgia Licensing and Insurance Requirements
Georgia does not require a statewide contractor license for commercial janitorial services. Augusta-Richmond County requires a local business license; verify at the Augusta-Richmond County Business portal. General liability minimum $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate; defense and medical accounts often require higher limits. Workers' compensation is mandatory under Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation rules for employers with 3+ employees.
Bid Walk Checklist — Augusta Accounts
- Confirm security clearance level required for defense/cyber contractor accounts
- Measure cleanable area per floor; note restricted-access zones
- Count restrooms; confirm medical compliance requirements where applicable
- Confirm Masters week event-cleaning requirements and premium pricing mechanism
- Photograph flooring to price periodic maintenance accurately
Sample Line-Item Bid Structure
| Line Item | Qty / Unit | Unit Rate | Monthly Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nightly cleaning — Class B office (8,000 sq ft) | 8,000 sq ft | $0.11/sq ft | $880 |
| Restroom service (6 restrooms, 5×/week) | 6 units | $185/unit | $1,110 |
| Breakroom daily wipe-down + trash | 1 unit | $160/month | $160 |
| Entry glass & lobby detail (weekly) | 1 unit | $100/month | $100 |
| Annual carpet extraction (5,000 sq ft) | 5,000 sq ft | $0.20/sq ft | $83 (amortized) |
| Supplies (paper, liners, soap) | Pass-through | Cost + 12% | ~$190 |
| Total Monthly | ~$2,523 |
SCA and Prevailing Wage Considerations
Federal facility cleaning at Fort Eisenhower and Savannah River Site contractor offices triggers the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA). Always confirm Wage Determinations via SAM.gov before pricing federal or SRS bids. Georgia and South Carolina have no state prevailing wage laws for private commercial work. See cleaning for healthcare for medical-account scope templates.
What Buyers Expect in Augusta Bids
- Security clearance and background-check program for defense/cyber contractor accounts
- SCA compliance documentation and Wage Determination acknowledgment for federal bids
- Masters week event-cleaning track record or surge staffing plan
- References from comparable military-adjacent, medical, or commercial accounts
- Escalation clause tied to Georgia CPI or BLS wage index
Competitive Landscape and Bid Tips
Augusta's contractor market segments sharply between the SCA/federal track and commercial track. Firms with existing security infrastructure win defense-adjacent accounts; commercial Class B and medical accounts compete on price and quality. Masters week creates a brief annual surge that premium-priced event contracts can capture. Use the account profitability auditor to verify margin on defense accounts before accepting SCA wage floors. The bid generator speeds quote production. See cleaning for hospitality and retail for event-cleaning scope guidance.
Key Resources for Augusta Bidders
- BLS OEWS — SOC 37-2011 Janitors and Cleaners
- Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation
- Georgia DOL — Wages
- DOL Wage and Hour — Service Contract Act
- OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
By the Opora Editorial Team · Last updated: 2026