How much does it cost to keep Washington Dulles International Airport nice and tidy? Under a new contract, it works out to approximately $20 million a year.
The board of directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority on Feb. 15 approved a contract worth approximately $40.5 million for the base two years, and up to $105.5 million if three years’ worth of extensions are exercised, for custodial services.
Cleaners of America was among 13 bidders for the contract, and was selected for the work. Its staff will be responsible for floor care, office cleaning, restroom cleaning/re-stocking, window-washing and exterior litter control.
The contract will cover about 360 employees, mostly cleaners with a small administrative staff.
The airports authority initially put a contract out to bid in 2021, but that was canceled in April 2022 before being reissued with a refined scope of work last September.
At the same meeting, the authority approved a contract for baggage-system maintenance at Dulles to JBT, one of four firms that bid on it.
The contract covers three years for $16.9 million, and with three one-year extensions totals up to $35 million.
The firm will be responsible for maintenance of baggage-handling equipment in the main terminal; airlines are responsible for moving bags on and off planes, and United Airlines is responsible for maintenance of baggage-handling equipment at the midfield terminal.
