Commercial cleaning bid template — Syracuse, NY
Syracuse anchors Onondaga County in central New York, with an economy shaped by Syracuse University, Upstate Medical University, and a large state and federal government base. Lockheed Martin and National Grid are major institutional employers. New York State's minimum wage (rest of state) was $15.00/hr as of 2023 with annual increases per the New York State Department of Labor; the market wage for commercial janitors runs $15–$18/hr.
Syracuse Labor Rate Inputs
BLS OEWS May 2024 (SOC 37-2011) places the Syracuse MSA mean in the $15–$18/hr range. See the wages breakdown for the Syracuse MSA for full burden tables.
Burden math on a $16/hr base: FICA 7.65% = $1.22; FUTA/SUTA ~2.5% = $0.40; New York workers' comp approximately $3.50–$5.00 per $100 payroll; NY Paid Family Leave employer contribution ~0.5%; health insurance ~$3.25/hr; vacation/PTO ~4%. Total burden: 30–38%, loaded rate near $21–$24/hr. Use the production-rate calculator to model margins.
Syracuse Pricing Benchmarks
| Segment | Typical Frequency | Market Rate Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class B suburban office (5k–15k sq ft) | 3×/week | $0.12–$0.17/sq ft/month | Carrier Circle, Salina, Dewitt corridors |
| University/education support space | 5×/week | $0.15–$0.21/sq ft/month | SU, Upstate ancillary buildings; prevailing wage |
| Medical office (non-OR) | 5×/week | $0.18–$0.25/sq ft/month | Crouse, St. Joseph's, Upstate clinics |
| Government/state office | 5×/week | $0.14–$0.20/sq ft/month | NY prevailing wage required |
| Day porter (full-time) | Daily | $2,600–$3,400/month | Multi-tenant buildings downtown |
Cross-check rates against cleaning bid benchmarks. Run thin-margin bids through the bid stress-test tool.
Scope-of-Work Essentials for Syracuse
State government and university accounts are subject to New York State prevailing wage laws. Medical office scopes must address OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen requirements (29 CFR 1910.1030). Syracuse University and Upstate Medical accounts require background screening and security access procedures. Use the scope-of-work generator for complete exhibit templates.
- Define cleaning zones and frequencies per zone in the contract exhibit
- Include NY state recycling requirements (cardboard, e-waste, metal) in waste exhibit
- List disinfectants by EPA Reg. No. for medical and university health facilities
- Include background-check compliance language for university and government accounts
- Confirm after-hours access protocol for each building
New York Licensing and Insurance Requirements
New York does not require a statewide license for commercial janitorial services. Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse maintain local business license requirements. General liability minimum $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate; government and medical accounts typically require $2M per occurrence. Workers' compensation is mandatory under New York State Workers' Compensation Board rules. NY Paid Family Leave employer contributions are required. Verify City of Syracuse business license at the City of Syracuse Business portal.
Bid Walk Checklist — Syracuse Accounts
- Measure cleanable area per floor; confirm access procedures for university or government buildings
- Count restrooms and confirm if medical-grade disinfection is required
- Identify NY recycling requirements and confirm waste-stream segregation
- Document security access process for restricted campus buildings
- 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 | $0.14/sq ft | $1,120 |
| Restroom service (7 restrooms, 5×/week) | 7 units | $210/unit | $1,470 |
| Breakroom daily wipe-down + trash | 1 unit | $180/month | $180 |
| Entry glass & lobby detail (weekly) | 1 unit | $120/month | $120 |
| Annual carpet extraction (5,500 sq ft) | 5,500 sq ft | $0.22/sq ft | $101 (amortized) |
| Supplies (paper, liners, soap) | Pass-through | Cost + 12% | ~$220 |
| Total Monthly | ~$3,211 |
Prevailing Wage and SCA Considerations
New York State prevailing wage applies to public work contracts including cleaning at state agencies, SUNY facilities, and county buildings in Onondaga County. SU cleaning contracts (private) are exempt, but federally funded research contracts may trigger the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act. Confirm current NY prevailing wage rates through NY DOL Prevailing Wage. Verify federal Wage Determinations via SAM.gov.
What Buyers Expect in Syracuse Bids
- Prevailing wage compliance documentation for state, county, or SUNY contracts
- Background-check and drug-screen policy for university and government accounts
- References from comparable university, medical, or government accounts
- NY recycling exhibit compliant with state waste-diversion requirements
- Escalation clause tied to NY minimum wage annual schedule or BLS wage index
Competitive Landscape
Syracuse is a mid-size upstate New York market where local and regional contractors hold most mid-market accounts. National BSC firms compete for large hospital and SUNY contracts. The prevailing wage requirement for public accounts creates a cost floor that reduces low-price competition on those bids. Private commercial accounts (Class B office, tech) are more price-sensitive. Use the account profitability auditor to confirm margin before discounting. Compare hourly vs. per-clean with the per-clean vs. hourly tool.
Bid Submission and Tips
State and university procurement in Syracuse aligns with New York State fiscal year (April 1 start); commercial accounts renew on calendar year. Include prevailing wage acknowledgment in state bids and three comparable references in all bids. The bid generator produces a professional quote quickly; the scope-of-work generator builds a complete exhibit for complex scopes.
Key Resources for Syracuse Bidders
- BLS OEWS — SOC 37-2011 Janitors and Cleaners
- New York State DOL — Minimum Wage
- NY DOL — Prevailing Wages
- New York Workers' Compensation Board
- OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
By the Opora Editorial Team · Last updated: 2026