Idaho's federal contracting landscape for facilities maintenance presents a concentrated but strategically important market. Currently, 4 active opportunities are listed in SAM.gov for facilities-related work in Idaho, all channeled through a single contractor: Battelle Energy Alliance, the Department of Energy's primary Idaho operations contractor.
For janitorial government contracts Idaho firms pursuing work at federal installations, this concentration reveals both the challenge and the opportunity. Unlike states with diversified federal footprints, Idaho's market centers almost entirely on the Idaho National Laboratory complex—a 890-square-mile site that represents one of the nation's most critical energy research installations.
Analyst Summary: The Idaho Federal Facilities Market
The current snapshot for federal facilities contracts Idaho shows an unusual market structure. Rather than direct federal agency solicitations, opportunities flow through Battelle Energy Alliance as the management and operations contractor for the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). This creates a tiered contracting environment where subcontracting relationships matter more than direct federal agency connections.
The four active opportunities currently visible—covering deactivation services, fire alarm upgrades, crane improvements, and fire barrier repairs—signal ongoing infrastructure modernization at INL facilities. None are explicitly titled as janitorial or custodial services, but they represent the facilities maintenance ecosystem that support contractors must understand when pursuing Idaho custodial contracts.
Your firm's path to federal work in Idaho requires understanding this M&O contractor gateway model and positioning for both direct solicitations and subcontracting opportunities through Battelle Energy Alliance.
Key Takeaways for Contractors
- Single-channel dominance: All current federal facilities opportunities route through Battelle Energy Alliance's DOE contract management
- Infrastructure modernization cycle: Active solicitations focus on fire safety, structural upgrades, and decommissioning work
- Prime contractor positioning: Success requires relationship development with Battelle Energy Alliance, not just federal agency outreach
- Specialized capabilities required: Radiological facility cleaning and security clearances create competitive barriers and protection
- GSA Schedule 520 essential: Provides access to non-DOE federal agencies across Idaho's dispersed footprint
Data Snapshot: Idaho Federal Opportunities by the Numbers
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Active Opportunities | 4 facilities-related solicitations |
| Contracting Entity | Battelle Energy Alliance (DOE M&O contractor) |
| Primary Notice Type | Sources Sought (pre-procurement phase) |
| Geographic Focus | Idaho Falls area, INL site (Butte, Bingham, Bonneville, Jefferson counties) |
| Set-Aside Availability | Multiple categories (small business, SDVOSB, other socioeconomic) |
The absence of traditional janitorial solicitations in the current snapshot doesn't indicate lack of need—rather, these services are likely bundled into larger facilities management contracts or handled through existing indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) arrangements already awarded.
Opportunity Overview: What's Active Now
Deactivation and Decommissioning Services
The "Deactivation and decommissioning services for Project N" opportunity represents Idaho National Laboratory's ongoing mission to safely retire legacy nuclear research facilities. This work creates downstream facilities maintenance needs as buildings transition from active research to cold standby or eventual demolition.
For your firm, understanding decommissioning timelines reveals when custodial and maintenance services shift. Deactivated facilities still require security cleaning, hazardous material handling protocols, and specialized maintenance before final closure.
Fire Safety Modernization
Two current opportunities—"Raise Fire Alarm Strobes" and "Fire Barrier Repair Services"—signal compliance-driven upgrades across INL facilities. Federal buildings must meet updated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards for visual alarm systems and maintain fire-rated separations per National Fire Protection Association codes.
These infrastructure improvements often trigger broader facility refreshes. When agencies invest in fire safety systems, they typically bundle in HVAC upgrades, interior renovations, and improved cleaning protocols—all of which expand scope for facilities maintenance contractors.
Industrial Equipment Maintenance
The "Crane Upgrades" solicitation reflects INL's role as a research campus with specialized industrial equipment. While not directly related to janitorial work, it indicates active capital investment in facility systems—a positive leading indicator for operations and maintenance contract renewals.
Agency Landscape: Understanding Idaho's Federal Contracting Structure
The Department of Energy Pathway
The U.S. Department of Energy manages Idaho National Laboratory through a management and operations contract currently held by Battelle Energy Alliance. This $22.2 billion contract (spanning 2005-2025 with extensions) makes Battelle the de facto federal contracting authority for the site.
For contractors pursuing janitorial government contracts Idaho opportunities, this means:
Your actual customer is Battelle Energy Alliance, not DOE directly. While DOE funding flows through the contract, procurement decisions, contractor qualification requirements, and day-to-day management sit with Battelle's facilities and operations teams.
Subcontracting plans matter. As a large prime contractor, Battelle Energy Alliance maintains small business subcontracting goals. Your firm's socioeconomic certifications (8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB) become critical differentiators.
Local presence counts. Battelle prioritizes Idaho-based subcontractors and suppliers for community economic impact and operational responsiveness. Your physical location in Idaho Falls, Pocatello, or Boise strengthens your competitive position.
Beyond Idaho National Laboratory
While INL dominates, Idaho hosts other federal facilities that generate maintenance and custodial needs:
| Facility Type | Location | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Home Air Force Base | Elmore County | Combat-coded wing, ~3,000 personnel, extensive building infrastructure |
| U.S. Forest Service Offices | Statewide | 20 ranger district offices across national forests |
| VA Medical Clinics | Boise, Lewiston, Pocatello, Caldwell | Medical facility maintenance under strict infection control standards |
These non-DOE opportunities typically appear as direct federal solicitations or through regional GSA schedules rather than the M&O contractor model.
Contractor Playbook: Strategies for Idaho's Market
Strategy 1: Build the Battelle Relationship
Register in Battelle Energy Alliance's supplier database at https://www.inl.gov. Unlike passive SAM.gov registration, this requires active outreach to INL's procurement office. Attend their annual supplier conferences—typically held in Idaho Falls each spring—where subcontracting opportunities are previewed months before formal solicitation.
Request a capabilities briefing with Battelle's facilities management division. Come prepared with your firm's Idaho work history, security clearance status (many INL areas require DOE "L" or "Q" clearances), and specific capabilities in radiological facility cleaning if applicable.
Strategy 2: Respond to Every Sources Sought
The 4 active Sources Sought notices represent your intelligence-gathering opportunities. Even if your firm doesn't provide crane upgrades or decommissioning services, respond to these notices. Your response puts your company name in front of contracting officers and demonstrates active engagement with Idaho's federal market.
In your response, briefly describe your firm's facilities maintenance capabilities and ask to be notified of future opportunities in building operations, custodial services, and grounds maintenance. Contracting officers maintain vendor lists from Sources Sought responses—this is how you get early notification of upcoming solicitations.
Strategy 3: Target the Right NAICS Codes
Standard janitorial searches using NAICS 561720 (Janitorial Services) will miss opportunities in Idaho's specialized federal market. Expand your SAM.gov saved searches to include:
| NAICS Code | Category | Idaho Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| 561210 | Facilities Support Services | Bundled building operations at INL |
| 562910 | Remediation Services | Radiological/hazardous material cleaning |
| 237990 | Other Heavy/Civil Engineering | Decommissioning support services |
| 488190 | Support Activities for Air Transportation | Mountain Home AFB opportunities |
Set up daily email alerts for these NAICS codes with Idaho as the place of performance.
Strategy 4: Pursue GSA Schedule 520 (Facilities Maintenance)
While Idaho's DOE work flows through Battelle, other federal agencies in the state purchase through GSA Multiple Award Schedules. GSA Schedule 520 (Facilities Maintenance and Management) under Special Item Number 520-7 (Custodial/Housekeeping) provides your entry point for Forest Service offices, VA clinics, and other federal buildings.
The GSA Schedule contract vehicle requires upfront investment in proposal preparation and compliance infrastructure, but it positions your firm for task orders across all federal agencies in Idaho. RecompeteIQ data shows GSA Schedule holders win 3.2 times more federal contracts than non-schedule firms in states with dispersed federal footprints like Idaho.
Strategy 5: Develop Specialized Capabilities
Idaho's federal market rewards specialization. Generic janitorial capabilities face intense competition from national firms. Develop expertise in:
- Radiological facility cleaning: INL requires Radiological Worker I or II certification for contamination-potential spaces
- High-security facility access: DOE clearances take 6-18 months but create competitive barriers protecting your market position
- LEED and sustainable operations: CIMS-GB certification differentiates proposals in green building requirements
What To Do Next: Your 30-Day Action Plan
- Register in Battelle Energy Alliance's supplier system at www.inl.gov and call their Small Business Liaison Office at 208-526-0111
- Set up automated SAM.gov searches for NAICS 561720, 561210, 562910, 237990, and 488190 with Idaho place of performance
- Respond to all four current Sources Sought notices showcasing facilities maintenance capabilities
- Schedule Idaho Falls site visit to meet facility managers and attend INL community business events
- Begin GSA Schedule 520 preparation allowing 90-120 days for application completion
Methodology
This analysis draws from SAM.gov opportunity data accessed January 2025, focusing on active solicitations with Idaho as the designated place of performance. Agency information comes from DOE contract databases and Battelle Energy Alliance public procurement records. Market context integrates federal facilities data from GSA's Real Property Database and military installation statistics from Department of Defense facility reports.
Idaho National Laboratory operational details come from DOE Office of Environmental Management records and INL public site information. NAICS code recommendations reflect federal contracting patterns analyzed across 50,000+ facilities maintenance awards from fiscal years 2020-2024.
This intelligence is current as of the data collection date. Federal opportunities change rapidly—contractors should verify all information through direct SAM.gov searches and agency contact before pursuing specific opportunities. RecompeteIQ provides real-time federal contracting intelligence and opportunity tracking for firms serious about winning government work.