NIGP 88508: Activated Carbon and Filter Elements

NIGP 88508 Activated Carbon And Filter Elements, an Item code, encompasses granular and powdered activated carbon, filter media, and related filter elements that state and local water treatment systems procure for potable and wastewater treatment, regulatory compliance, and ongoing filter maintenance. Recent solicitations show jurisdictions buying activated carbon on both capital and consumable bases—DeKalb County, Georgia is replacing filter media at a water treatment plant to meet EPA PFAS compliance deadlines by October 2029, while the City of Lewisville, Texas seeks annual supplies of wood or sub-bituminous coal-based activated carbon in 30-pound bags for routine water and wastewater plant operations. The code captures diverse issuing bodies: large cities (Tampa, Phoenix, Austin, Lewisville), counties (DeKalb, Hillsborough), state environmental agencies (Illinois Department of Natural Resources), and transit authorities (Dallas Area Rapid Transit). Water and wastewater departments are the primary buyers, alongside facility management operations at treatment plants and advanced treatment centers. Most procurements are ITBs, RFQs, or IFBs posted by municipal water departments seeking either as-needed supply contracts or capital-project filter rebuilds.

Solicitation activity concentrates in the Southeast (Georgia, Florida, Texas, Illinois) and Southwest (Arizona), with additional demand in Texas and Illinois. The City of Tampa Water Department has issued multiple competing RFBs for granular activated carbon and sand filter media at the David L. Tippin Water Treatment Plant, including a rebid posted in April 2026 with an estimated contract value of $1,000,000.00 and a 5% Small Local Business Enterprise bid discount capped at $10,000. The City of Phoenix Water Services has pursued two separate five-year powdered activated carbon contracts through IFBs posted in February and March 2026, seeking approximately 600,000 pounds annually meeting AWWA Standard 600 and NSF certification. DeKalb County's ITB for Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant filter media replacement was due August 17, 2026, targeting October 2029 EPA MCL compliance for PFAS. The City of Austin's IFB for powder activated carbon (600 tons annually) closed February 26, 2026, with delivery to three treatment plants and secondary vendor awards permitted to ensure supply continuity. Contracts typically run 12 months to five years with renewal options, require NSF/ANSI standards compliance (60 and 61), specify FOB destination pricing, mandate safety data sheets and insurance documentation, and increasingly include sustainability and accessibility conformance requirements.