Selecting The Right Commercial Cleaning Contractor - Pt. 2

In our last post, Selecting the Right Commercial Cleaning Contractor – Pt. 1, we reviewed three of the factors that should be considered when hiring a commercial cleaning contractor. In that post we discussed: Communication of Requirements, Contractor’s Experience, and Hiring and Training of Cleaning Staff. In this post we will highlight:

• Quality Control
• Green Capabilities
• Safety Program and Record

Quality Control 

Hiring the right commercial cleaning contractor will involve selection of a contractor that has programs and tools in place that support their ability to provide cleaning services that consistently meet those requirements documented within your SOW. A few key points to consider:

• Quality Control Program:  Does the Contractor have a documented Quality Control Program? If so, what type of tools and systems does the Contractor use as part of their Program? Which departmental function within the Contractor's organization has ownership of the Quality Program? Is there a stand-alone Quality department that is not part of the Operations function?
• Corrective Action Process:  How will the Contractor address issues of non-compliance with your SOW? Does their Quality Control Program contain a closed-loop Corrective Action process that will ensure that performance issues are identified, resolved, closed, and, not repeated?
• KPI's and Continuous Improvement:  Does the Contractor foster a culture of continuous improvement in the services that it provides? Does the Contractor utilize Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) to establish its performance objectives and then measure performance against those objectives?

Green Capabilities

If you have "green" requirements for your facility it will be important that you select a commercial cleaning contractor that has proven experience in providing green cleaning services. You will need to evaluate the Contractor's green cleaning processes to ensure that they are aligned with your specific requirements.

It is important to verify that the Contractor's green cleaning program is dynamic in nature and that the Contractor has management-supported commitment to stay abreast with advancements in green cleaning technology.

Safety Program and Record

You want your commercial cleaning contractor to provide services that are safe for your employees and theirs. A contractor that puts appropriate emphasis on safety should be able to demonstrate a few basic characteristics: 

• Safety Training Program:  Does the Contractor have a documented Safety Training Program? Does the Program contain provisions for follow-up training? What has been their safety record over the past couple of years? Does their MOD rate indicate that their Program is effective? 
• Safety Incentives:  Does the Contractor incentivize safety within their cleaning staff? Does management sufficiently promote safety as one of their core value propositions?

Doing your research on all of the above will enable you to make informed decisions as you evaluate potential commercial cleaning contractors.

In next week's post we will discuss: Certifications and Overall Value. We will also provide a short summary of this three-part series.