RFP Specialist (Commercial Cleaning & Facilities Services)
Calgary,
Canada
Job Description
Position Overview
The RFP Specialist is responsible for identifying, pursuing, and securing new business opportunities through formal procurement processes, including government tenders, corporate RFPs, and large-scale service contracts. This role plays a key part in expanding the company’s presence across public and private sectors.
Core Responsibilities
1. Opportunity Identification & Lead Generation
• Research and monitor procurement platforms for new opportunities:
• Government (federal, provincial, municipal)
• Airports and transportation authorities
• Construction and general contractors
• Oil & gas / energy sector (“oil patch”)
• Retail chains and commercial property managers
• Industrial and manufacturing facilities
• Track and maintain a pipeline of upcoming bids, renewals, and pre-qualifications
• Build relationships with procurement officers, project managers, and decision-makers
2. RFP / Tender Management
• Review RFPs, RFQs, and tenders to assess fit, risk, and profitability
• Coordinate all aspects of bid preparation:
• Scope analysis
• Site requirements
• Compliance documents (insurance, safety, certifications)
• Ensure all submissions meet deadlines and technical requirements
• Manage pre-qualification submissions (RFIs, vendor registrations)
3. Pricing & Cost Estimation
• Work with operations to:
• Estimate labor hours, equipment, and materials
• Build accurate and competitive pricing models
• Analyze margins and recommend pricing strategies
• Balance competitiveness with profitability
4. Proposal Development
• Prepare high-quality, professional proposals including:
• Executive summaries
• Scope of work and methodology
• Staffing plans and schedules
• Health & safety procedures
• Company qualifications and past projects
• Customize proposals based on sector:
• Government compliance-heavy bids
• Construction site cleaning (post-construction, phased cleaning)
• Industrial / oil & gas safety-focused environments
• Retail and multi-location service contracts
5. Client Communication & Negotiation
• Act as the main contact during the bidding process
• Attend site visits, walkthroughs, and pre-bid meetings
• Respond to client questions and clarifications
• Support contract negotiations and revisions
6. Sector-Specific Focus
Government & Public Sector
• Monitor portals (e.g., MERX, Biddingo, municipal procurement sites)
• Ensure compliance with regulations, insurance, and reporting standards
• Manage multi-year and large-scale facility contracts
Airports & Transportation
• Handle high-security, high-compliance environments
• Coordinate requirements like background checks, safety clearances
• Understand 24/7 operations and phased service delivery
Construction Companies
• Build relationships with general contractors
• Quote post-construction and ongoing site cleaning
• Track project timelines and bid early in project cycles
Oil & Gas / Industrial (“Oil Patch”)
• Understand safety certifications (e.g., WHMIS, COR, site-specific training)
• Price for remote locations, shift work, and harsh environments
• Align proposals with strict HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) standards
Retail & Commercial
• Target multi-site contracts (plazas, chains, malls)
• Focus on consistency, scheduling, and scalability
• Support long-term service agreements
Other responsibilities:
1. Pipeline & Reporting
• Maintain CRM or tracking system for:
• Opportunities
• Submitted bids
• Win/loss ratio
• Report weekly on pipeline value and conversion rates
• Continuously improve bid success rate
Key Skills & Qualifications
• Experience with RFPs, tenders, or proposal writing (B2B services preferred)
• Strong analytical and pricing skills
• Excellent writing and communication abilities
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and projects
• Familiarity with procurement platforms (MERX, SAP Ariba, etc.) is a strong asset
• Experience in cleaning, facilities management, construction, or industrial services is highly preferred
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $55,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person