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DGS ‘Launch Pad’ Program Awards Contract to DC Returning Citizens

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

DGS ‘Launch Pad’ Program Awards Contract to DC Returning Citizens

Aligning with Mayor Bowser’s Pathway to the Middle Class

(WASHINGTON, DC) – The Department of General Services (DGS) is pleased to announce that a contract – through its ‘Launch Pad’ initiative – has been awarded to Clean Decisions, LLC, a certified business enterprise that was founded, is owned and currently staffed by DC returning citizens.

The contract awarded today is for comprehensive green cleaning, janitorial services and related comprehensive services to maintain the building space that preserves human health and environmental quality and which creates a pleasing environment for staff and a welcoming image to visitors at the Barry Farm Recreation Center, located at 1230 Sumner Road, SE. The Barry Farm Recreation Center and Clean Decisions, LLC are both located in Ward 8.

The team from Clean Decisions competed against six other District small businesses and made their winning pitch for the Barry Farm contract based on their proven cleaning capabilities, in-person presentation, and their mission to facilitate opportunities for other returning citizens through Mayor Bowser’s ASPIRE program, which seeks partnerships to support justice-involved DC residents (reentering citizens or those on parole or probation) to open, own and operate their own businesses. The Barry Farm Recreation Center green cleaning and janitorial service contract is valued at $100K. Clean Decisions, LLC will begin work at the Barry Farm Recreation Center on January 2, 2018.

“All of our competitors today went the extra mile in their presentations through exhibiting the methods they would use to engage the community. However, one company – Clean Decisions – took that momentum further by establishing that they will take ownership of the Barry Farm Recreation Center and treat it as if it is their own because they, and their families, use the center in their daily lives,” said Greer Johnson Gillis, Director of DGS.

The ‘Launch Pad’ is a new and innovative engagement program whereby local Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs) have the opportunity to compete for small contract awards tied to citywide development. Following a concept similar to the nationally televised show ‘Shark Tank,’ local CBEs are given the opportunity to bring their talents to fruition by presenting their qualifications to DGS senior staff, who serve as ‘Launch Pad’ judges. Since February 2017, seven ‘Launch Pad’ competitions have been held for projects of up to $100K each.