UNSPSC 12161900: Surfactants

UNSPSC 12161900 Surfactants is a Class code encompassing liquid and solid chemical additives that state and local governments procure for wastewater treatment, vegetation management, and institutional maintenance operations. State and local buyers under this code include county utilities (wastewater treatment), state transportation and environmental departments, municipalities, and correctional institutions. The scope spans cationic polymers for sludge dewatering, aquatic and terrestrial herbicide adjuvants, and specialized industrial surfactants for cleaning and disinfection in institutional settings. Solicitations reflect direct procurement of surfactant products alongside related chemical categories rather than surfactant-only buys; issuers often bundle surfactants with complementary chemicals and request qualified distributors or manufacturers capable of providing Safety Data Sheets, third-party testing validation, and compliance documentation.

Recent activity concentrates in Florida, Washington, and Michigan. Volusia County, Florida issued ITB 2363 in August 2026 for cationic liquid polymer specifically for wastewater sludge dewatering, with bids due October 26, 2026, submitted through the City of Daytona Beach's online procurement platform; the solicitation required pre-qualification testing sheets and laboratory reports validating polymer performance. Washington State Department of Enterprise Services posted RFP 12225 in July 2026 for a statewide vegetation management contract vehicle that includes liquid and dry herbicides, aquatic herbicides, adjuvants, surfactants, and ornamental products, with proposals due August 20, 2026 and expected contract awards by October 1, 2026; the solicitation targets four Main Awards and one Reserved Award per category, with historical annual spending ranging from $914,419 to $3.87 million and primary purchasers split among state agencies, counties, and special districts. Michigan Department of Corrections, through Michigan State Industries, awarded bulk chemical contracts in April 2026 valued at approximately $3.12 million over three years for institutional cleaning, disinfection, and maintenance products including surfactant-containing detergents and disinfectants.