Commercial cleaning bid template — Jackson, MS
Jackson is Mississippi's state capital and largest city, anchoring Hinds County with a commercial base centered on state government, healthcare, and higher education. Baptist Health System, Merit Health Central, and the University of Mississippi Medical Center anchor the medical segment; Millsaps College and Jackson State University supply university-adjacent demand. Mississippi's minimum wage follows the federal floor at $7.25/hr; the market wage for commercial janitors runs $12–$14/hr.
Jackson Labor Rate Inputs
BLS OEWS May 2024 (SOC 37-2011) places the Jackson MSA mean in the $12–$14/hr range. Mississippi has no state supplemental wage law above the federal minimum. See the wages breakdown for the Jackson MSA for full burden tables.
Burden math on a $13/hr base: FICA 7.65% = $0.99; FUTA/SUTA ~2.4% = $0.31; Mississippi workers' comp approximately $2.80–$3.80 per $100 payroll; health insurance ~$2.70/hr; vacation/PTO ~4%. Total burden: 30–37%, loaded rate near $17–$19/hr. Use the production-rate calculator to model margins.
Jackson Pricing Benchmarks
| Segment | Typical Frequency | Market Rate Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class B suburban office (3k–10k sq ft) | 3×/week | $0.08–$0.12/sq ft/month | Ridgeland, Madison, Flowood corridors |
| State government office buildings | 5×/week | $0.11–$0.16/sq ft/month | Capitol complex; MS prevailing wage |
| Medical office (UMMC, Baptist clinics) | 5×/week | $0.15–$0.21/sq ft/month | Bloodborne pathogen compliance required |
| University support space | 5×/week | $0.11–$0.16/sq ft/month | JSU, Millsaps ancillary buildings |
| Day porter (full-time) | Daily | $1,900–$2,500/month | Multi-tenant buildings |
Cross-check rates against cleaning bid benchmarks. Stress-test low-margin bids with the bid stress-test tool.
Scope-of-Work Essentials for Jackson
State government contracts in Mississippi may carry prevailing wage requirements under the state's public-works rules. Medical office scopes must address OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen requirements (29 CFR 1910.1030). UMMC accounts require documented staff training and hospital-grade disinfection protocols. Use the scope-of-work generator for complete exhibits.
- Define cleaning zones and frequencies per zone in the contract exhibit
- List disinfectants by EPA Reg. No. for medical accounts
- Include background-check compliance language for state building and UMMC access
- Confirm waste-stream requirements: Hinds County recycling and waste rules
- Specify after-hours access protocol for state buildings requiring guard let-in
Mississippi Licensing and Insurance Requirements
Mississippi does not require a statewide contractor license for commercial janitorial services. The City of Jackson and Hinds County maintain local business license requirements; verify at the City of Jackson Business portal. General liability minimum $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate is standard; UMMC and state government accounts typically require higher limits. Workers' compensation is mandatory under Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission rules for employers with 5+ employees.
Bid Walk Checklist — Jackson Accounts
- Confirm state or federal prevailing wage applicability for government accounts
- Measure cleanable area per floor; note any restricted-access zones
- Count restrooms and confirm UMMC or hospital-grade disinfection requirements
- Document security access procedures for state capitol complex buildings
- Photograph flooring to accurately price periodic maintenance
Sample Line-Item Bid Structure
| Line Item | Qty / Unit | Unit Rate | Monthly Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nightly cleaning — Class B office (7,000 sq ft) | 7,000 sq ft | $0.10/sq ft | $700 |
| Restroom service (5 restrooms, 5×/week) | 5 units | $175/unit | $875 |
| Breakroom daily wipe-down + trash | 1 unit | $150/month | $150 |
| Entry glass & lobby detail (weekly) | 1 unit | $95/month | $95 |
| Annual VCT strip/wax (4,000 sq ft) | 4,000 sq ft | $0.33/sq ft | $110 (amortized) |
| Supplies (paper, liners, soap) | Pass-through | Cost + 12% | ~$170 |
| Total Monthly | ~$2,100 |
SCA and Prevailing Wage Considerations
Federal facilities in Jackson (VA Medical Center, federal courts, IRS offices) trigger the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act. Confirm Wage Determinations via SAM.gov. Mississippi does not have a state prevailing wage law for private commercial work. See cleaning for healthcare for UMMC and hospital-affiliate scope templates.
What Buyers Expect in Jackson Bids
- Prevailing wage compliance for state government and federal accounts
- Hospital-grade disinfection documentation for UMMC and medical accounts
- Background-check policy for state building access
- References from comparable government, medical, or university accounts
- Escalation clause tied to BLS wage index, given the absence of state minimum wage increases
Competitive Landscape and Bid Tips
Jackson is a price-sensitive market where the state government segment is the premium tier. National BSC firms hold UMMC and large state agency accounts; local Mississippi contractors dominate mid-market commercial and suburban office accounts. Vacancy rates in downtown Jackson office space have historically been elevated, concentrating cleaning demand in suburban Ridgeland and Madison. Use the account profitability auditor to confirm margin before competing on low-price government bids. The bid generator speeds quote production.
Key Resources for Jackson Bidders
- BLS OEWS — SOC 37-2011 Janitors and Cleaners
- Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission
- DOL Wage and Hour — Service Contract Act
- OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
- City of Jackson Business Licensing
By the Opora Editorial Team · Last updated: 2026