UNSPSC 31161808: Open washers

UNSPSC 31161808 Open washers, a Commodity-tier code, describes fastening hardware components—specifically lock washers and similar metal fasteners—that state and local governments procure for maintenance, repair, and capital projects across water utilities, transit systems, and municipal facilities. The recent procurement activity shows two distinct buying patterns: high-volume, low-unit-cost fastener purchases for fleet and infrastructure maintenance (such as the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Authority's January 2026 order for lock washers in bulk packages), and integrated procurement of fasteners as line items within larger construction and equipment-upgrade projects. Issuing bodies include municipal utilities, transit authorities, and city departments conducting capital improvements; the code sees activity from both small municipalities and large regional transit systems.

Geographic recent activity centers on Texas (Dallas Area Rapid Transit Authority) and Georgia (City of Lavonia water treatment upgrades posted April 2026 with a May 26, 2026 sealed-bid deadline). The DART procurement for Washer Lock 7/16" Medium (Package of 100) closed January 28, 2026, with standard terms of FOB Destination and Net 30 payment, issued through the BONFIRE procurement platform. The Lavonia water treatment plant IFB (Solicitation PE66940NONST2026000000005) illustrates fasteners as embedded procurement within larger municipal infrastructure: the project scope includes comprehensive facility upgrades with a nine-month construction schedule and 4% DBE participation goals, with written contractor questions due by May 12, 2026, and a pre-bid conference May 7, 2026. The code shows modest recent posting volume and does not indicate a concentrated buyer base; most procurement appears ancillary to larger construction or maintenance contracts rather than as primary, standalone fastener supply arrangements.