How to Read a Scope of Work for Janitorial Contracts in British Columbia

Hello, janitorial companies in British Columbia! As you prepare to bid for contracts, I want to emphasize the importance of understanding a scope of work. It's a critical component to winning contracts as it outlines the client's needs and expectations, providing the foundation for the bid proposal. I know that reading a scope of work can be daunting, especially if it's your first time. But don't let that discourage you! This blog post is here to provide you with guidance on how to read a scope of work and create a comprehensive bid proposal that meets the client's expectations. Let's empower ourselves to improve our bidding process and show the world what we're capable of achieving.

Step 1: Understanding the Basics

Overview: This section provides a brief summary of the project, including the client's objectives and expected outcomes.

1. Know What's Expected: Read the scope of work thoroughly and highlight any confusing or ambiguous sections.
2. Timeline: Make note of any key project deadlines, including proposal due dates, estimated award time
3. Regular Deliverables: What is included in the day-to-day contract
4. Irregular Deliverables: What is required of you to do once a year? Make sure you take these items into account when you are calculating your monthly bid price.
5. Reporting Requirements: How much supervision will be required? How often will a representative want to be contacted?
6. Product Requirements: Are you required to provide supplies? Are there any specific chemical handling requirements?
7. Minimums: Some projects have minimum hours to be included, make sure to make note of this.

Step Two: Beyond the Basics

The scope of work is a critical step in the bidding process. It helps the janitorial company understand the client's needs and expectations, as well as identify any potential issues or concerns. Here are some items to make note of beyond the basics
Here are some tips for analyzing the scope of work:

1. Quality Assurance Procedures: If they don't have a QA plan in place, include one in your proposal to show your commitment to delivering high-quality work and providing a framework for identifying and addressing potential issues.
2. Communication Preferences: Make note of reporting requirements and how communication will be managed throughout the contract.
3. Payment Terms and Invoicing Procedures: Some governments have specific forms and information that you need to include on invoices.
4. Sustainability and Social Responsibility Considerations: More governments are prioritizing companies with sustainability and social responsibility mandates.
5. Potential Recourse: What happens if you cannot deliver the contract? What recourse are you agreeing to? Some will simply cancel the contract but some will not allow you to back out once you have signed.

Step Three: Create a Comprehensive Proposal

.... coming soon! 

Reading a scope of work can be overwhelming, but it's an essential step in the bidding process. Understanding the client's needs and expectations outlined in the scope of work is the foundation for creating a comprehensive bid proposal. By analyzing the scope of work thoroughly and tailoring the bid proposal to the client's needs and expectations, janitorial companies in British Columbia can improve their bidding process and win more contracts.