UNSPSC 15100000: Fuels

A fuel is any material that can be made to react with other substances so that it releases energy as thermal energy or to be used for work.

UNSPSC 15100000 Fuels (Family) encompasses the purchase and delivery of motor fuels, heating oils, lubricants, propane, kerosene, and specialized fuels for state and local fleet operations, facilities, and transit systems. State and local governments procure bulk gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, ethanol-blended fuels, heating oil, propane, marine fuel, lubricating oils, and diesel exhaust fluid on both firm fixed-price and index-based pricing models, typically requiring delivery within 24 to 48 hours and compliance with ASTM or EPA fuel specifications. Issuing bodies span transit authorities (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Orange County Transportation Authority, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Southeastern Regional Transit Authority), county and municipal departments (Sarasota County, Salt Lake County, City of Urbana, Escambia County, Ada County), school districts (Parkway School District, Cecil County Public Schools, Pinellas County School District, Cobb County School District, Harlingen Consolidated ISD), state agencies (New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services, State of Utah Division of Purchasing), and special-purpose districts (Santa Fe Solid Waste Management Agency). Recent opportunities reflect widespread fuel procurement activity across the country, with notable concentrations in Florida (Sarasota County marine fuel, Escambia County diesel and gasoline, Pinellas County lubricants), the Northeast (New Hampshire kerosene and diesel, Massachusetts heating oil and vehicle fuel, Connecticut diesel and heating fuel), the Southwest (Salt Lake County bulk fuel, Arizona transit fueling), and the Midwest (Illinois Madison County Transit biodiesel and unleaded, Wisconsin Waukesha County used oil recycling).

Recent representative solicitations include the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's RFP 122-26 for professional fuel hedging services (responses due November 19, 2026), covering approximately 10.5 million gallons of hedged annual fuel usage with a three-year initial term and optional two-year extensions; Salt Lake County's RFC for bulk diesel and unleaded fuel supply and delivery to 17 storage locations across County facilities and golf courses (proposals due December 31, 2026); the City of Urbana, Illinois IFB for USL #2 dyed diesel to the Landscape Recycling Center at estimated annual consumption of 10,000 to 12,000 gallons (responses due October 29, 2026); Sarasota County's IFQ for marine fuel from a waterfront dispensing facility serving Parks and Stormwater operations at approximately 8,000 gallons annually (responses due October 9, 2026); and the State of Utah Division of Purchasing's statewide RFP for bulk gasoline and diesel fuel to supply state departments, political subdivisions, and eligible nonprofits with a five-year contract term and 12-month guaranteed pricing (responses due September 25, 2026). Pricing mechanisms vary widely—some solicitations use OPIS daily rack averages plus fixed markups, others employ firm fixed unit prices, and specialized procurements like the MBTA's fuel hedging focus on risk management and market analysis rather than spot fuel purchase. Contract terms typically range from one to five years with optional renewal periods, and many require compliance with FTA regulations, prevailing wage standards, DBE participation targets, or local vendor preferences where applicable.