UNSPSC 12165101: Polymer gel

Polymers used in enhanced oil recovery solutions for in-depth conformance and sweep efficiency improvement

UNSPSC 12165101 Polymer gel is a Commodity code that captures a narrow range of state and local purchasing activity — primarily specialized chemical additives and treatment compounds used in municipal water and wastewater operations, municipal transit vehicle maintenance, and school facility cleaning. The code does not see frequent or consistent solicitation volume. Recent state and local opportunities tagged to this code include emulsified polymer for sludge dewatering (Tohopekaliga Water Authority, IFB, March 2026), cleaning chemicals for truck wash facilities (Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County, IFB, August 2026), and bulk chemical supplies for wastewater and drinking water treatment systems (multiple municipalities). The issuing bodies span city and county water utilities, special-purpose water districts, school districts, and waste management authorities—a fragmented buyer base with no single dominant repeat purchaser visible in the recent record. Work solicited under the code ranges from high-specificity polymer products (emulsified polymer for centrifuge and belt-press sludge dewatering with quantified performance benchmarks of 18% cake solids and 84% solids capture efficiency) to broader janitorial and maintenance chemical packages (bus wash, degreaser, and truck wash soaps with prescribed phosphoric acid and sodium hydroxide concentrations).

Geographic activity concentrates in Florida (Tohopekaliga Water Authority in Osceola/Orange/Polk counties, Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County, Indian River County, City of Tallahassee), Georgia (multiple cities and school districts including Colquitt County Schools, Clayton County Public Schools), Connecticut (Town of Manchester), and California (City of Santa Cruz, San Bernardino County), with scattered mid-Atlantic and Midwest solicitations (Michigan, Texas). Representative recent opportunities include Tohopekaliga Water Authority's IFB 26-011 for emulsified polymer (sealed bids due March 26, 2026, with mandatory bench testing March 10–12), the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County's ITB 26-14/AL for truck wash cleaning chemicals (bids due August 5, 2026), and Colquitt County School Nutrition's IFB for kitchen chemicals and janitorial supplies (bids due June 15, 2026). Most contracts are one to five years in term with firm pricing for the initial period and optional renewals tied to CPI or documented cost increases. Competitive access remains open with no widespread set-aside restrictions, though some buyers apply small-business enterprise participation goals or local-vendor preferences.