Last week Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen Panamá announced an extensive cleaning and sanitation tender, worth an estimated $19.5 million. The new contract for this best value method public tender will last three years, involving the cleaning and sanitation service for all its facilities and restroom maintenance.
The contract covers Terminals 1 and 2, the connecting building, cargo areas, annex buildings, parking facilities, service roads, and surrounding areas.
A total of 23 national and international companies expressed interest in the tender during the recent homologation meeting. Applicants must demonstrate experience managing high-traffic spaces such as airports, transport terminals, or shopping centers, given Tocumen’s 24/7, year-round operations.
Beyond general cleaning, the contract introduces important maintenance & service enhancements, including:
- Restroom and sanitary system maintenance (plumbing, electricity, carpentry, partitions, lighting).
- Faster repair times and reduced downtime of facilities.
- Deodorization and aromatization systems in restrooms.
- Use of biodegradable cleaning products.
- Biometric attendance controls for staff.
- Clearly defined service cycles, frequencies, and performance indicators with enforcement mechanisms.
A key innovation will be real-time monitoring software, enabling Tocumen to track service quality continuously, supported by audits and monthly reporting—strengthening both oversight and transparency.
This tender not only reflects rising demand for specialized facility management services in Panama, but also sets a new standard in the region for how critical infrastructure operators ensure passenger experience and operational continuity.
The tender specifications can be accessed via the Panama Compra website.