NIGP 00528: Abrasives, Sandblasting (Other Than Metal)

NIGP 00528 Abrasives, Sandblasting (Other Than Metal), an Item code, encompasses blast abrasive materials—primarily copper slag and similar media—that state and local governments procure for infrastructure maintenance and surface preparation on steel structures. The Brazos River Authority (BRA), a Texas state entity, recently issued a Request for Bids for copper slag to be used in blasting gate leafs at spillway facilities, with bids due May 21, 2026. The material specifications reflected commodity-grade procurement: copper slag meeting specific bulk density, hardness, and crystalline silica content requirements for blast-cleaning approximately 10,000 square feet of ASTM 572 Grade 50 carbon steel per gate leaf, delivered in 24-ton bulk loads. State and local issuing bodies under this code include special-purpose districts and state authorities managing water infrastructure.

Recent procurement activity in this code is sparse. Beyond the BRA opportunity in Texas, the indexed recent-opportunities block contains no additional active solicitations for abrasive sandblasting materials among state and local jurisdictions. The single concrete opportunity—the Brazos River Authority RFB for copper slag—shows low-velocity, project-specific demand tied to spillway maintenance rather than recurring statewide or multi-county programs. Award was based on lowest responsible bidder meeting specifications, with the BRA explicitly welcoming small, minority, women-owned, and historically underutilized business responses. Given the minimal transaction volume visible in recent state and local notices, this code warrants a watch posture for specialized infrastructure operators rather than an active pursuit strategy unless your firm targets water authorities or similar asset-intensive public entities in Texas or adjacent regions.