UNSPSC 41104211: Softeners

UNSPSC 41104211 Softeners (Commodity) covers water treatment chemical products, specifically softening compounds and related treatment agents that state and local water utilities procure to serve municipal water and wastewater systems. Recent solicitations show that agencies are buying a broad mix of treatment chemicals — powdered activated carbon, sodium chlorite, liquid aluminum sulfate, caustic soda, ferric chloride, sodium bisulfite, soda ash, and sodium hydroxide — supplied on a line-item basis under annual or multi-year contracts with renewal options. Issuing bodies under this code are municipal utilities and water departments, particularly smaller to mid-sized cities managing both potable water treatment and wastewater operations. The City of LaGrange, Georgia and the City of Griffin, Georgia have both posted recent solicitations for water treatment chemicals serving their water and wastewater treatment plants and distribution networks. Both cities evaluate vendors on pricing, delivery performance, product quality, prior bidder performance, and ability to meet strict NSF 60/61 certification and safety training requirements.

Georgia appears to be the active geographic center for recent activity under this code, with LaGrange posting an IFB on May 7, 2026 (due June 8, 2026) and Griffin posting an ITB on April 29, 2026 (due May 28, 2026). Both solicitations require firm pricing for 12 months, on-demand delivery within 48–72 hours during business hours to multiple treatment facilities, NSF certifications, and Safety Data Sheets with each purchase order. Vendors must quote FOB city location with no fuel surcharges permitted, and neither solicitation specifies a budget range or minimum purchase guarantee; estimated quantities are subject to operational variation. Award may be made to different vendors on individual line items based on lowest responsive and responsible bid, with prior performance potentially adjusting pricing evaluation by up to 2 percent. No set-aside designations or incumbent restrictions are noted in either solicitation.