UNSPSC 12163902: Scale removers or converters

UNSPSC 12163902 Scale removers or converters is a Commodity code that encompasses chemical products state and local water and wastewater utilities procure to treat water quality issues—specifically scale inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors, and related treatment compounds used in potable water systems and wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure. Recent solicitations show utilities buying sodium bisulfite (for dechlorination), liquid ammonium sulfate (for treatment plant coagulation), magnesium hydroxide slurry (for hydrogen sulfide and corrosion control in sewer systems), ortho/polyphosphate corrosion inhibitors (for copper and lead control), sodium hypochlorite (for disinfection), and polymer products for sludge dewatering—alongside broader water treatment chemical portfolios that include these products as line items within larger chemical supply contracts. Issuing bodies are predominantly mid-sized and large cities (Phoenix, Austin, Tallahassee, Temple, Meriden, Lubbock, Griffin, Flowery Branch) and county utility departments (Volusia County, Hillsborough County, Gwinnett County), with one regional wastewater treatment authority. Utilities routinely solicit on annual or multi-year terms, often with renewal options spanning three to five years total, and award on a lowest-responsive-and-responsible or best-value basis with incumbent vendor and local-preference consideration where applicable.

Recent activity clusters in Texas, Florida, Georgia, Connecticut, and Arizona, reflecting the geographic distribution of municipal water systems across the Sun Belt and Mid-Atlantic. Representative recent solicitations include the City of Temple's May 2026 ITB for 875,000 wet pounds of liquid ammonium sulfate annually (due June 10, 2026) with 48-hour delivery requirement and 5% local preference adjustment; the City of Austin's May 2026 IFB for 38% sodium bisulfite in 330-gallon totes for wastewater treatment (due June 9, 2026) with local-business evaluation discounts up to 5%; the City of Tallahassee's May 2026 IFB for magnesium hydroxide slurry with five-year initial term and rigorous NSF Standard 60 certification and technical specifications (due June 16, 2026); the City of Meriden's June 2026 ITB for seven water treatment chemicals including caustic soda, calcium hypochlorite, and aluminum sulfate with strict Build America Buy America compliance (due June 25, 2026); and the City of Griffin's April 2026 line-item bid for sixteen water treatment chemicals including sodium hydroxide, potassium permanganate, and polymers (due May 28, 2026). All solicitations mandate NSF/ANSI Standard 60 or 61 certification; require delivery within 48 to 72 hours; specify FOB destination pricing with no fuel surcharges; and apply state or local vendor preferences where eligible. Set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises are not standard in this code, though Texas municipalities apply local-preference scoring adjustments under state statute.