Central Eastside Together
Request for Proposals (RFP) for
District Cleaning Services

Central Eastside Together is seeking proposals from qualified contractors to provide district-wide cleaning services throughout Portland’s Central Eastside Industrial District. We’re looking for more than a service provider; we want a responsive, innovative, and accountable operational partner that will serve as an extension of our team.

This highly visible program plays an essential role in the daily experience of businesses, employees, residents, and visitors. The selected contractor will help strengthen the district through proactive cleaning, timely service, a consistent and professional presence, and a shared commitment to continuous improvement.

RFP Details

  • Central Eastside Together manages the district’s Enhanced Service District, investing ratepayer resources in services that keep the Central Eastside clean, safe, welcoming, and vibrant. In partnership with the Central Eastside Industrial Council, CET supports businesses, employees, residents, and visitors through district cleaning and ambassador services, community grants and sponsorships, placemaking projects, public art, lighting, and other improvements. Together, CET and CEIC combine on-the-ground service, business engagement, and advocacy to strengthen one of Portland’s most dynamic employment districts.

  • Please download and review all documents prior to submission.

    1. CET Cleaning Services RFP

    2. Appendix A - Enhanced Service Agreement with City of Portland

    3. Appendix B - Enhanced Service District Boundary Map

    4. Appendix C - Historical Cleaning Program Overview

    5. Appendix D - FY2025-2026 Cleaning Program Statistics



  • August 20, 2026 — RFP released to the public

    August 20–October 2, 2026 — Submit questions to CET

    September 4–October 2, 2026 — Pre-bid meetings*

    October 2, 2026 — RFP proposals due

    November 2–20, 2026 — Interviews with qualified applicants**

    January 15, 2027 — Award announced

    February 1–June 30, 2027 — Onboarding

    July 1, 2027 — Contract begins

    *Applicants are also encouraged to schedule a district visit before submitting a proposal, particularly if they are not local to or familiar with the Central Eastside Industrial District.

    **Date range may be extended depending on number of qualified applicants.

  • For questions about this process, contact Bashar Kasim, Field Operations Manager, at bashar@ceic.cc.

FAQ

  • Proposals received by the deadline of Oct. 2nd, 2026 will be reviewed and scored by the RFP committee through the month of October. The top 5-7 applicants will be invited to an interview with the committee. Those who do not meet the minimum qualifications will be notified they were not selected.

  • CET is intentionally not disclosing the budget or current contract amount in order to remain equitable. Proposals will be evaluated based on performance and scored according to the evaluation criterion listed in the RFP.

  • CET does not clean, remove, or “sweep” encampments. It is expected that the cleaning crews engage with unhoused individuals and offer them help in cleaning around their camp. Abandoned camps will need to be assessed to confirm there are no personal belongings. All camp removals are performed by the City of Portland’s Impact Reduction Program.

  • Our cleaning crews are responsible for cleaning public rights-of-way, sidewalks, streets, and other public spaces. We do not clean inside of buildings, on private property, or perform traditional janitorial services.

  • The CET cleaning RFP committee is comprised of two CET staff and four members of the CET board of directors. All CET board members are ratepayers, property owners, or people who work in the Central Eastside Industrial District.

  • No. We do not have a storage facility or warehouse for storing equipment, vehicles, tricycles, etc. so that would be expected to be included as part of the proposal.

  • We are open to discussing that during negotiations after a contractor is selected. You are welcome to include a contract beyond one year in the RFP proposal, but please be sure to include pricing for the one year so that we can compare proposals equitably.

  • They are not required, but are encouraged particularly for those who are not local, familiar with, or have a sense of, the cleaning needs in the CEID.

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