NIGP 88516: Algae and Microbe Control Chemicals (for Air Conditioning and Cooling Water)

NIGP 88516 Algae and Microbe Control Chemicals (for Air Conditioning and Cooling Water), an Item code, covers the supply and on-site application of treatment chemicals used to control biological growth in cooling tower, chilled water, and HVAC systems at municipal water treatment facilities, wastewater treatment plants, school districts, and county operations. State and local buyers under this code procure sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, polymers, liquid aluminum sulfate, sodium hypochlorite, ferric sulfate, quicklime, and allied chemicals for both cooling system maintenance and broader water and wastewater treatment operations. Recent solicitations show a mix of issuing bodies: municipal water authorities, county governments, city water departments, school districts, state environmental agencies, and special-purpose districts. Work ranges from routine chemical supply (furnish-and-deliver contracts) to comprehensive water treatment services that bundle chemicals, equipment, and ongoing technical support including monthly inspections, water sampling, laboratory analysis, and corrective action protocols such as hyperchlorination or automated blowdown adjustments when Legionella or other biological markers exceed safe thresholds.

Geographic activity spans multiple states with recent solicitations concentrated in Pennsylvania (Berks-Montgomery Municipal Authority, Warwick Township, Morrisville, Westmoreland County), Florida (Tampa Bay Water, Central Florida Tourism Oversight District), and Ohio (Delaware County), alongside individual opportunities in Arizona, Massachusetts, Georgia, Indiana, California, and North Carolina. Representative recent opportunities include the City of Scottsdale's RFP 27RFP114 (closed November 16, 2026) for sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid delivery and standby operator services at its Central Groundwater Treatment Facility; Tampa Bay Water's three separate ITBs (2027027, 2027028, 2027029) posted May 27, 2026 with June 30, 2026 closing for liquid ammonium sulfate, sodium hypochlorite, ferric sulfate, and quicklime supply; the City of Griffin, Georgia's Invitation to Bid #26-008 (due May 28, 2026) for 16 water treatment chemicals on a line-item basis; and the Onslow Water & Sewer Authority, North Carolina's multistep competitive bid (2026RFB009, closed August 31, 2026) for bulk and mini-bulk treatment chemicals across eight facilities using a reverse-auction platform. Cooperative purchasing vehicles such as the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (IFB 2026-2190) and the Educational Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (ECPA2026120) for Indiana schools bundle multiple districts and jurisdictions into single term contracts, typically one to three years with renewal options.