The going rate for cleaning services obviously has increased. The U.S. State Department just awarded an almost $30 million contract to a janitorial service to clean three of its buildings.

“A $29.8 million contract for ‘Janitorial Services’ was awarded to R and R Janitorial, Painting, and Building Services, Inc. for cleaning and maintenance of the main State building, the Harry S. Truman building, and the Blair House in Washington, D.C,” the Washington Free Beacon reported.

The outrageously priced contract is for one year “with four option years,” and included such a detailed list of specific instructions it had to be written by someone suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder.

According to the Free Beacon, some instructions for the new company s

“Dust hardwood around and under all heavy furniture and their legs with fuzzy extended hand duster.” No feather dusters, or dusters with yellow cloth or strips, can be used, the contract orders.

In addition, the contract instructs when to use the “white dust cloth” (wood furniture, lamps, bowls), “small museum dust brush” (frames, mirrors), and the “damp green cloth” (mirror glass).

It also includes quality standards for escalators, drinking fountains, and telephones. The company must use a Nilfisk vacuum for rugs.

To be fair, the report said that the State Department wasn’t the agency that spent the most on cleaning services.

“Among the top 10 federal agencies, the State Department came in last for janitorial contract spending during this period, behind the Army ($385 million), and the Air Force ($295 million). Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs, and the Navy all spent more than $100 million,” the paper said.

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Janeen Capizola

"And though she be but little, she is fierce." And fun! This conservative-minded political junkie, mom of three, dancer and one-time NFL cheerleader holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science. [email protected]. Twitter: @JaneenBPR

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