The general manager of an Iowa cleaning company was ready to throw in the towel on government work until someone suggested connecting with CIRAS.
“I was passed from person to person and organization to organization until someone finally mentioned CIRAS,” said Brent Hugen of Absolute Cleaning Systems. “I decided I’d make one more call, and thank goodness I did! Because of their assistance and the work I did, I was awarded two three-year contracts for $150,000, and I’m set up to bid on other jobs that might work out in the future. All because I decided to make one more call instead of giving up on the process.”
Hugen started his company in 2014 with his brother-in-law. The business has 40 employees and serves southern Iowa with offices in Albia and the Des Moines metro. They specialize in janitorial services as well as floor cleaning, air-duct cleaning, water extraction, and drying services for residential and commercial customers.
Absolute Cleaning Systems had previously done federal and state government work, which Hugen thought gave him a “foot in the door” for other jobs.
“I started a bid, and it wasn’t long before I was being asked for CAGE codes and my entity number,” he said. “I assumed I had all of that because I had done earlier cleaning. But either I hadn’t done it, or it got lost. At any rate, I had to start over.”
Samantha Ferm-LeClere, a government contracting specialist with the CIRAS APEX Accelerator, helped Hugen complete his System for Award Management (SAM) registration, which is required for anyone interested in doing business with the federal government. She also assisted in streamlining the registration process by using an electronic verification system (EVS) designed to minimize delays.
Jasmine Burch also needed guidance with SAM registration to position her company for government work. Burch owns a Davenport-based cleaning company called JB Janitorial Services. Started in 2021, it specializes in commercial cleaning, carpet cleaning, and disinfecting services. The company currently has one employee but hires contract workers when needed.
“I stumbled upon a post in a Facebook group that led me to CIRAS,” Burch said. “I got help with the registration process but also learned how to search for bid opportunities and got some overall guidance and support. Right now, I’m a oneperson show. Knowing I can turn to CIRAS
has taken some pressure off my shoulders.”
Burch was awarded the first contract she bid on and received another contract with the city of Iowa City starting this fall. Her success and her continued relationship with CIRAS have given her the confidence to pursue other government work, she said.
“Both clients are go-getters, and I’m really proud of them for not hesitating to reach out and seek the assistance and support they need,” said Ferm-LeClere. “It makes all the difference.”
For more information, contact Samantha Ferm-LeClere at siferm@iastate.edu or 319-333-9558.