Feds Spending $30 Million to Clean State Department

The State Department accounts for only 2.24 percent of the federal government’s spending for janitorial services.

A $29.8 million contract for “Janitorial Services” was awarded to R and R Janitorial, Painting, and Building Services, Inc. for cleaning and maintenance of the main State building, the Harry S. Truman building, and the Blair House in Washington, D.C.

The agreement includes a base year and four option years, and covers a wide array of services for the buildings, including basic janitorial services, snow removal, carpet shampooing, and recycling.

Detailed instructions are provided to the contractor on “insight to cleaning terrazzo floors,” and the types of dusting cloths to use in the State Department.

Under the section “specific directions for housekeeping staff of the diplomatic reception rooms,” the contract states, “Dust hardwood around and under all heavy furniture and their legs with fuzzy extended hand duster.” No feather dusters, or dusters with yellow cloth or strips, can be used, the contract orders.