UNSPSC 12141505: Barium Ba

UNSPSC 12141505 Barium Ba is a Commodity code representing chemical reagents and reference materials that state and local government laboratories procure for analytical, diagnostic, and quality-control testing. Recent opportunities show state and local buyers purchasing laboratory-grade chemical consumables, diagnostic test kits, and analytical supplies — not elemental barium itself but rather the prepared chemical compounds and reagents used in forensic analysis, water treatment, pharmaceutical testing, and public health laboratory operations. The issuing bodies span state health and forensic science departments, county and city utilities and public health agencies, municipal water treatment facilities, and university procurement offices. Texas A&M University Division of Finance Procurement Services posted an ITB on June 26, 2026 for precipitant solutions (due July 15, 2026); the City of Meriden Department of Public Utilities posted an ITB on June 9, 2026 for water treatment chemicals including calcium hypochlorite, caustic soda, aluminum sulfate, sodium permanganate, and sodium fluoride in quantities ranging from 250 pounds to 40,000 pounds, with delivery required within five business days and a contract term of one year with options to extend (due June 25, 2026); the State of California posted an RFB on February 9, 2026 for brand-specific Shiga Toxin QuikChek diagnostic test kits (due February 24, 2026); and the State of California posted an RFB on March 17, 2026 for pharmaceutical-grade alcohol USP (due April 15, 2026). Harris County, Texas posted an ITB on May 15, 2026 for crime scene and forensic laboratory supplies including DNA collection kits, evidence tubes, fingerprint supplies, and various chemicals used in forensic analysis (due June 8, 2026).

Recent activity concentrates in Texas, California, Florida, the District of Columbia, and Connecticut, with municipal water utilities, state forensic and public health laboratories, and county sheriffs' offices driving the majority of solicitations. Water utilities procure treatment chemicals with NSF certification and AWWA standards compliance; forensic laboratories seek reference standards, diagnostic reagents, and consumables compatible with existing instrumentation; and public health labs require pharmaceutical-grade chemicals and rapid diagnostic kits meeting EPA and FDA standards. Most solicitations are ITBs and RFBs with response windows of five to sixteen days, suggest established vendor relationships or renewal purchasing, and include set-asides for certified business enterprises (California) or local vendor preferences (Connecticut). Pricing is highly variable — water treatment chemical contracts range from several thousand dollars annually depending on usage, while forensic and laboratory reagent contracts are typically under $100,000 per year for consumables. The code shows consistent quarterly procurement activity but relatively narrow supplier pools tied to regulatory approvals and brand-specific or sole-source justifications common in laboratory and forensic operations.