UNSPSC 12161909: Betaine surfactant

Betaine surfactants as internally compensated quaternary ammonium compounds that differ from quaternary ammonium salts in that they do not have a mobile anion. Betaines retain their positive molecular charge and cationic character in both acidic and alkaline media. Betaines are inherently mild to the skin and eyes. They also have strong anti-irritant properties when combined with anionic surfactants as shown later in this chapter. Betaines are not affected by water hardness and produce excellent foam with good stability in soft and hard water.

UNSPSC 12161909 Betaine surfactant is a Commodity code for chemical surfactants and adjuvants used in vegetation management and industrial cleaning applications across state and local government operations. State and local procurement activity under this code centers on bulk purchases of surfactants as components of herbicide formulations and as standalone adjuvants for weed control, alongside broader chemical procurement for institutional maintenance. Issuing bodies include state departments of transportation and enterprise services, state correctional systems, and municipalities purchasing through state cooperative contracts and agency-managed procurement vehicles. The code sees activity driven by seasonal vegetation management needs on highways and municipally managed lands, as well as recurring institutional cleaning and disinfection operations at state facilities.

Washington State Department of Enterprise Services posted RFP 12225RFP on July 7, 2026, with proposals due August 20, 2026, to establish a statewide contract vehicle for vegetation management products including surfactants and adjuvants used by state agencies, counties, and municipalities managing highways, city streets, and forestry areas. The solicitation spans three product categories with up to four Main Awards and one Reserved Award per category available; historical annual spending has ranged from $914,419 to $3.87 million, with primary purchasers being state agencies (45.33%), counties (45.11%), and special districts (9.64%). Michigan's procurement activity includes the Michigan Department of Corrections' RFP 260000001172 for bulk chemicals supporting institutional operations, which recommended awards to Arrow Chemical Products, Inc. ($2,193,557.10) and Austin Sales Group, Inc. ($928,732.27) for a combined three-year contract value of approximately $3.12 million. Recent activity concentrates in Washington and Michigan, with contract vehicles designed to serve multi-year demand across state and local customer bases.