For more information, please visit our online supplier portal, located at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/aurorail

City of Aurora, IL

2027 WATER TREATMENT PLANT CHEMICALS TECHNICAL

PROPOSALS

26-081

RELEASE DATE: August 25, 2026

DEADLINE FOR QUESTIONS: September 4, 2026

RESPONSE DEADLINE: September 15, 2026, 2:00 pm

Please refer to the project timeline in this document for all important deadlines.

RESPONSES MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY TO:

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/aurorail

Invitation For Bid #26-081

Title: 2027 Water Treatment Plant Chemicals Technical Proposals

Table Of Contents

1. INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS

2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

3. SCOPE OF WORK

4. VENDOR SUBMISSIONS

Attachments:

A - eBridge Information - Aurora, IL

B - WTP Chemicals Bid Tabulation

C - 24-088 Bid Tabulation_Reverse Auction Results

D - 24-089 Bid Tabulation

INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS

1. SUMMARY

The City of Aurora invites vendors to submit a technical proposal for Phase 1 - 2027 Water Treatment Plant

Chemicals Reverse Auction.

This Bid will be conducted as a multistep competitive sealed bid consisting of Phase 1 – Unpriced Technical

Proposals and Phase 2 – Price Proposal/Reverse Auction. The City has partnered with eBridge to host this bidding event on its web-based bidding platform.

2. TIMELINE

Release Project Date: August 25, 2026

Question Submission Deadline: September 4, 2026, 5:00pm

Response Submission Deadline: September 15, 2026, 2:00pm

3. ACCEPTANCE OF UNPRICED TECHNICAL PROPOSALS

a. Bidders intending to respond to this opportunity must create a FREE account with OpenGov by signing up at https://procurement.opengov.com/signup. This step is necessary to establish a communication link with the City. The Bidder, not the City, is responsible for obtaining any addenda to the original specification. Addenda and other relevant information will be posted on the City’s E Procurement

System. Addenda notifications will be emailed to all persons on record as following this Bid. Failure of any bidder to receive any such addenda or interpretation shall not relieve such bidder from any obligation under their bid proposal as submitted. All addenda so issued shall become part of the contract documents.

Paper submissions will not be accepted.

b. Bids may be received up to, but no later than the designated date and time as specified via the City’s E

Procurement System, OpenGov. The City’s E Procurement System Clock is the official clock for the determination of all deadline dates and times. Without exception, responses will not be accepted after the submission deadline regardless of any technical difficulties such as poor internet connections. The City of

Aurora strongly recommends completing your responses well ahead of time. All bids shall have provided all requested information, and submitted all appropriate forms, certificates, affidavits and addendum acknowledgements in order to be considered responsive.

c. Bids must be submitted on the forms provided and all information and certifications called for must be furnished. Bids submitted in any other manner, or which fail to furnish all information or certificates required, may be summarily rejected. Bids may be modified or withdrawn prior to the time specified for the opening of bids through the City’s E Procurement System. Bids shall be filled out legibly in ink or type-written with all erasures, strikeovers and corrections initialed in ink by the person signing the bid.

The bid shall include the legal name of the bidder, the complete mailing address, and be signed in ink by a person or persons legally authorized to bind the bidder to a Bid. Name of person signing should be typed or printed below the signature.

d. The City of Aurora reserves the right at any time and for any reason to accept or reject any or all Bids or portion thereof, or accept an alternate bid. The City reserves the right to waive any immaterial defect in any bid, or technicality, informality or irregularity in the bids received, and to disregard all nonconforming or conditional bids or counter-proposals. Unless otherwise specified by the bidder or the

City, the City reserves the right to hold the best bids for ninety (90) days from the opening date. Bidder agrees to accept a notice of award, if selected, based on the terms of this Bid Proposal in the event that a notification of award is received on or before expiration of the 90-day time period. The City reserves the right to cancel the Bid Proposal at any time, without liability for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred or suffered by any Bidder as a result of that cancellation. Each Bidder is solely responsible for the risk and cost of preparing and submitting a Bid Proposal.

e. Although price is a consideration, qualifications and experience, capacity to handle the work, and response to the bid, will also be considered. No Bid Proposal will be considered unless the Bidder shall furnish evidence satisfactory to the City that they have the necessary facilities, abilities, experience, equipment, and financial and physical resources available to fulfill the conditions of the Bid and execute the Work should the Bid be awarded to them. Bid Proposal documents which are not responsive to the requirements herein may not be considered by the City for an award of the Bid.

The Bid will be awarded to the lowest responsive responsible Bidder. In determining the responsibility of any Bidder, the City may take into account other factors such as past records of its or other entities transactions with the Bidder, experience, ability to work cooperatively with the City and its staff, adequacy of equipment, ability to complete performance within necessary time limits, and other pertinent considerations such as, but not limited to, reliability, reputation, competency, skill, efficiency, facilities and resources.

The Bidder will be awarded in the City’s best interests based on these and other legally-allowable considerations. The City and its representatives and agents may make any investigations deemed necessary to determine the ability of the Bidder to perform the Work. The Bidder shall furnish any information and data requested by the City for this purpose.

4. RECEIPT OF UNPRICED TECHNICAL PROPOSALS

1. Unpriced Technical Proposals must be submitted electronically, up to, but no later than the designated date and time as specified via the City’s E Procurement System, OpenGov. It is the sole responsibility of the Bidder to see that their Bid Proposal is received in the proper time.

2. Unpriced Technical Proposals must be submitted electronically via the City’s E Procurement

System. There will be no exceptions!

5. WITHDRAWAL OF UNPRICED TECHNICAL PROPOSALS

Unpriced Technical Proposals may be withdrawn prior to the deadline for submitting bid proposals through the City’s E Procurement System, the responding bidder may “un-submit” their proposal in

OpenGov. After withdrawing a previously submitted proposal, the responding bidder may submit another proposal at any time up to the deadline for submitting bid proposals prior to the opening.

Bidders are cautioned to verify their bids before submission. Negligence on the part of the bidder in preparing the bid confers no right for withdrawal or modification of the bid after it has been opened. Bidders may not withdraw their bid after the opening without the approval of the Director of Purchasing. Requests to withdraw a bid must be in writing and properly signed. No unpriced technical proposal will be opened or accepted, which is received after the time and date scheduled for the Unpriced Technical Proposals to be received.

6. AWARD

It is the intent of the City to award the bid to the lowest responsive responsible bidder meeting specifications.

Award will be based on the following factors, but not limited to (where applicable): (a) adherence to all conditions and requirements of the bid specifications; (b) price; (c) qualifications of the bidder, including past performance, financial responsibility, general reputation, experience, service capabilities, and facilities; (d) delivery or completion date; (e) product appearance, workmanship, finish, taste, feel, overall quality, and results of product testing; (f) maintenance costs and warranty provisions; and (g) repurchase or residual value.

If the Bidder modifies limits, restricts or subjects his bid proposal to conditions that would change the requirements of the bid, this would be considered a conditional or qualified Bid Proposal and will not be accepted. The City reserves the right to delete any item listed in the bid.

Except as otherwise may be stated in the Specifications, Bid award shall be made to the lowest responsible

Bidder meeting the requirements and/or intent of the specifications at the net delivered price(s) submitted during the online reverse auction and best responding to the needs of the City, in the City’s sole discretion.

However, if the Bidder modifies limits, restricts, or subjects his Bid proposal to conditions that would change the requirements of the specifications, this would be considered a conditional or qualified Bid proposal and will not be accepted. The City reserves the right to delete any Bid item listed in the Bid Package

7. PRICES

Unit prices shall be submitted during the online reverse auction for each unit on which there is a Bid, and shall include all packing, crating, freight, and shipping charges to destination unless otherwise stated in the Bid proposal.

Unit prices shall not include any local, state, or federal taxes. In case of mistake in extension of price, unit price shall govern.

8. TAXES

The City of Aurora is exempt, by law, from paying State and City Retailer’s Occupation Tax, State Service

Occupation Tax, State Use Tax and Federal Excise Tax (per Illinois Revised Statutes, Chapter 120, Paragraph

44) upon City works and purchases. The City of Aurora’s Sales Tax Exemption Number is E9996-0842-07.

9. INTERPRETATION OR CORRECTION OF BIDDING DOCUMENTS

Bidders shall promptly notify the City of any ambiguity, inconsistency of error which they may discover upon examination of the bidding documents. Interpretations, corrections and changes will be made by addendum.

Each bidder shall ascertain prior to submitting a bid that all addenda have been received and acknowledged in the bid.

10. SIGNATURES

Unpriced Technical Proposals must be signed by the Bidder with his/her usual signature. Unpriced Technical

Proposals by partnerships must be signed with the partnership name by all members of the partnership, or an authorized representative, followed by the signature and title of the person signing. Unpriced Technical

Proposals by corporations must be signed with the name of the corporation, followed by the signature and title of the person authorized to bind it in the matter.

When a corporation submits a Unpriced Technical Proposal, its agent must present legal evidence that he has lawful authority to sign said Unpriced Technical Proposal and that the corporation has a legal existence. In the event that any corporation organized and doing business under the laws of any foreign state is the successful

Bidder, such corporation must present evidence before any Bid is executed that it is authorized to do business in the State of Illinois. Bidders by corporations must be executed in the corporate name by the President or a Vice

President (or other corporate officer accompanied by evidence of authority to sign), and the signature must be attested by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, along with the corporate seal. The corporate address and state of incorporation must be shown below the signature. Bid Proposals by partnerships must be executed in the partnership name and signed by a partner whose title must appear under the signature, and the official address of the partnership must be shown below the signature. Any corrections to entries made on the Bid

Proposal forms shall be initialed by the person signing the Bid Proposal. When requested by the City, satisfactory evidence of the authority of any signature on behalf of the Bidder shall be furnished.

11. DEMONSTRATIONS

Bidders are required, if requested to do so, to affect a demonstration of the item(s) being Bid if the City feels it has insufficient knowledge of the item’s operations or performance capability. Such demonstration must be at a site which is most convenient and agreeable to the effected City personnel.

12. REFERENCES

Sufficient references of all like public and/or private agencies must be submitted in the Vendor Submission section. Listing must include company name, contact person, telephone number and date purchased. All

Bidders, as a condition of and prior to entry into a contract, agree that a complete background investigation of the principals of the Bidder and all employees who will work on the project may be made. Bidders agree to cooperate with the appropriate City of Aurora personnel to supply all information necessary to complete these investigations. The City of Aurora in its complete discretion may disqualify any Bidder, including low Bidder, and may void any contract previously entered into based on its background investigation.

13. ELIGIBILITY

By signing this bid, the bidder hereby certifies that they are not barred from bidding on this Bid as a result of a violation of Article 33E, Public Bids of the Illinois Criminal Code of 1961, as amended (Illinois Compiled

Statutes, 720 ILCS 5/33E-1).

14. DATA

Bidders shall provide complete and current product information and technical documentation for each chemical proposed, including applicable product specifications, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), certifications, and other documentation required by the Technical Specifications. All products shall comply with the requirements specified in this Invitation to Bid.

15. QUESTIONS

Bidders shall submit all inquiries, including requests for alternates or substitutions regarding this bid, up to, but no later than the designated date and time as specified via the City’s E Procurement System, OpenGov.

All answers to inquiries will be posted on the City’s E Procurement System. Bidders may also click “Follow” on this bid to receive an email notification when answers are posted.

No questions will be accepted or answered verbally.

No questions will be accepted or answered after the cut-off date/time.

It is the responsibility of the interested bidder to ensure they have received addenda, if any issued.

16. Illinois Freedom of Information Act

Illinois Freedom of Information Act. The Contractor acknowledges the requirements of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and agrees to comply with all requests made by the City of Aurora for public records (as that term is defined by Section 2(c) of FOIA in the undersigned’s possession and to provide the requested public records to the City of Aurora within two (2) business days of the request being made by the

City of Aurora. The undersigned agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the City of Aurora from all claims, costs, penalty, losses and injuries (including but not limited to, attorney’s fees, other professional fees, court costs and/or arbitration or other dispute resolution costs) arising out of or relating to its failure to provide the public records to the City of Aurora under this agreement.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1. REQUIREMENTS OF BIDDER

The successful Bidder may be required to (a) enter into a fully signed Bid in writing with the City of Aurora covering matters and things as are set forth in the Unpriced Technical Proposal Package; and (b) carry insurance acceptable to the City covering public liability, property damage and workers compensation.

2. CITY'S AGENT

The Director of Purchasing, or delegate, shall represent and act for the City in all matters pertaining to the bid proposal and Bid in conjunction thereto.

3. BONDS AND INSURANCE

The Bidder will be required to furnish a Performance and Payment Bond in the amount of one hundred percent

(100%) of the full contract price, Public Liability Insurance, and Workers Compensation Insurance; all of which shall be acceptable to the City of Aurora.

The bidder awarded the contract will be required to furnish a Performance Bond in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the full contract price, a Payment Bond, Public Liability Insurance, and Workers

Compensation Insurance; all of which shall be acceptable to the City of Aurora.

The Bidder awarded the project will need to provide performance and payment bonds for one year with a letter attached from the bond company certifying that the bond may be automatically renewed for the second year.

The term Payment Bond shall be understood to mean the bond executed by the Bidder and his surety guaranteeing the payment of all sums of money due for any labor, materials, apparatus, fixtures, or machinery furnished to such principal for the purpose of performing the contract work.

The term Performance Bond shall be understood to mean the bond, executed by the contractor and his surety, guaranteeing complete execution of the contract.

Proof of liability insurance coverage through a reputable, recognized carrier shall be provided at the time of acceptance and signing of the contract and shall remain current for the duration of the contract.

The City of Aurora, by showing and substantiating sufficient proof of incompetence, negligence, poor or substandard workmanship which would cause unwarranted damage or deterioration of either premises, contents or appendages, reserves the right to terminate said Contractor without recourse from the City by successful

Contractor.

4. INVESTIGATION

It shall be the responsibility of each Bidder to conduct all investigations and examinations necessary to become fully informed of the requirements, specifications, conditions, and circumstances applicable to the Work. A

Bidder's failure to conduct such investigations or examinations shall not constitute grounds for modifying the

City's requirements or requesting additional compensation.

Each Bidder submitting a Bid Proposal is responsible for thoroughly reviewing the complete Invitation to Bid

Package, including all Addenda, and for becoming fully informed of all conditions that may in any way affect the cost, schedule, or performance of the Work. Failure to do so shall be at the sole risk of the Bidder, and no adjustment or relief shall be granted for errors, omissions, or misunderstandings that could reasonably have been identified prior to submission of the Bid Proposal.

If awarded the Contract, the Bidder shall not be entitled to additional compensation for any matter, condition, or circumstance that reasonably should have been identified through a thorough review of the Bid documents or appropriate examination and investigation prior to submission of the Bid Proposal.

Submission of a Bid Proposal shall constitute conclusive evidence that the Bidder has thoroughly examined the

Bid documents and has become familiar with applicable local conditions, facilities, site conditions, the requirements of the Invitation to Bid documents, and all pertinent federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and codes. The Bidder shall also be deemed to have considered prevailing labor and material market conditions and incorporated all reasonably anticipated costs and contingencies into its Bid Proposal.

5. BIDDER CAPABILITY

The City reserves the right to require of the Bidder proof of his/her capability to perform as required by the specifications. However, prequalification of the Bidder shall not be required. The City may, at its option, disqualify a Bidder and reject his bid proposal for cause. Reasons deemed sufficient for this action shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Evidence of collusion among Bidders.

• Receipt of more than one bid proposal on any project from an individual, or from a corporation. This restriction does not apply to subcontractors.

• Default on any previous Bid.

• Unreasonable failure to complete a previous Bid within the specified time or for being in arrears on an existing Bid without reasonable cause for being in arrears.

• Inability to perform as revealed by an investigation of the Bidder's financial statement, experience and/or plant and equipment.

• Any Bidder who owes the city money may be disqualified at the City’s discretion.

6. ALTERNATE PROPOSALS

The specifications are prepared to describe the product which the City deemed to be in the best interest to meet its performance requirements. Bidders desiring to submit a Bid Proposal on items which deviate from the stated specifications, but which they believe to be equal, may do so by submitting all inquiries via the City’s E

Procurement System, OpenGov, but all specification deviations must be clearly stated. Bidders shall submit all inquiries, including requests for alternates or substitutions regarding this bid via the City’s E Procurement

System by the designated date and time. All answers to inquiries, including requests for alternates or substitutions, will be posted on the City’s E Procurement System. Bidders may also click “Follow” on this bid to receive an email notification when answers are posted. It is the responsibility of the interested bidder to ensure they have received addendum, if any issued. The Purchasing Director reserves the right to rule upon specification deviation in a manner as best befits the needs of the City. The Purchasing Director will reject all deviations that amount to material nonconformity with the specifications of the Bid Proposal.

7. PAYMENT

Payment shall be made for product rendered. The City, after inspection and acceptance, and in consideration of the faithful performance by the Proposer, agrees to pay for the completion of the work embraced in this contract, payment shall be made in accordance with the Illinois Local Government Prompt Payment Act (50

ILCS 505/1, et. seq.) upon receipt of the invoice.

Time, in connection with any discount offered, will be computed from the date of delivery to the City or from the date a correct invoice is received by the City of Aurora Purchasing Division, if the latter date is later than the date of delivery.

Prices will be considered NET, if no payment discount is shown.

Invoices MUST contain the Purchase Order Number, as issued by the City.

The successful Bidder shall submit invoices via e-mail to:

PurchasingDL@aurora.il.us or Mail to the following address:

City of Aurora

Attn: Purchasing Division

44 E. Downer Place

Aurora, IL 60507

The City of Aurora offers electronic funds transfer (EFT) payment to our vendors. EFT is fast, simple, safe and secure and is our preferred method of payment!

8. DEFAULT

In case of default by successful Bidder, the City will procure articles or service from other sources and hold the contractor responsible for any excess cost incurred as provided for in Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial

Code.

9. INSPECTION

Product purchased are subject to inspection and approval at the City’s destination. The City reserves the right to reject and refuse acceptance of items which are not in accordance with the instructions, specifications, drawings or data of Bidder's warranty (express or implied). Rejected materials or equipment shall be removed by, or at the expense of, the Bidder promptly after rejection.

10. WARRANTY

Bidder warrants that all product furnished hereunder will conform in all respects to the terms of the solicitation, including any drawings, specifications or standards incorporated herein, and that they will be free from latent and patent defects in materials, workmanship and title, and will be free from such defects in design. In addition, Bidder warrants that said goods and services are suitable for, and will perform in accordance with, the purposes for which they are purchased, fabricated, manufactured and designed or for such other purposes as are expressly specified in this solicitation.

11. CANCELLATION

The City reserves the right to cancel the whole or any part of the Bid if the Bidder fails to perform any of the provisions in the Bid or fails to make delivery within the time stated. The Bidder will not be liable to perform if situations arise by reason of strikes, acts of God or public enemy, acts of the City, fires or floods.

12. PERMITS AND LICENSES

The successful Bidder shall obtain, at its own expense, all permits and licenses which may be required to complete the contract.

13. SAMPLES

Samples of items, when required, must be submitted within the time specified and at no expense to the City; and if not destroyed in testing, they will be returned at the Bidder’s request and expense. Samples which are not requested for return within thirty (30) days will become the property of the City.

14. PATENT

The successful Bidder agrees to indemnify, protect, defend, and save the City of Aurora and its officers and employees, harmless against any demand for payment for the use of any patented material process, article, or device that may enter into the manufacture, construction, presentation or form a part of the Work covered by the contract.

15. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS

The Bidder shall at all times observe and comply with all Federal, State, Municipal and other local laws, ordinances, regulations, and requirements which in any manner affect the conduct of the Work, and with all

Federal, State and local laws and policies of non-discrimination, sexual harassment, prevailing wages and others applicable thereto; and all such orders or decrees as exist at the present and which may be enacted later, of bodies or tribunals having jurisdiction or authority over the Work, and no plea of misunderstanding or ignorance thereof will be considered. He shall indemnify and save harmless the City and all its officers, agents, employees and servants against any requirement, claim or liability arising from or based on the violation of any such law, ordinance, regulation, order or decree, whether by himself or his employees.

This Bid shall be governed by and construed according to the laws of the State of Illinois.

16. INSURANCE AND HOLD HARMLESS PROVISION

At the Bidder’s expense, the Bidder shall secure and maintain in effect throughout the duration of this Bid, insurance of the following kinds and limits to cover all locations of the Bidder’s operations. The Bidder shall furnish Certificates of Insurance to the City before starting or within ten (10) days after the execution of the Bid, whichever date is reached first. All insurance policies shall be written with insurance companies approved by the City of Aurora and licensed to do business in the State of

Illinois and having a rating of not less than A:VII, according to the latest edition of the A.M. Best Company; and shall include a provision preventing cancellation of the insurance policy unless thirty (30) days prior written notice is given to the City. This provision shall also be stated on each Certificate of Insurance as: “Should any of the above-described policies be canceled before the expiration date thereof, the issuing company will endeavor to mail 30 days written notice to the certificate holder named to the left”. Upon requested, the awardee of this Bid will give the City a copy of the insurance policies. The policies must be delivered to the City within two weeks of the request. The limits of liability for the insurance required shall provide coverage for not less than the following amount, or greater where required by law:

(1) Worker’s Compensation Insurance - Statutory amount.

(2) General Liability Insurance:

(a) $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 general aggregate (combined single limit)

(b) $1,000,000 per occurrence for Personal Injury

(3) Auto Liability Insurance:

(a) Combined single limit not less than $1,000,000

(4) Umbrella excess liability of $4,000,000 per occurrence, $4,000,000 aggregate

The Bidder shall include the City as a primary, non-contributory additional named insured on the General, Auto Liability, and

Umbrella insurance policies and indicate said status on any Certificates of Insurance provided to the City pursuant to this project. All insurance premiums shall be paid without cost to the City.

The Bidder agrees to indemnify and save harmless the City of Aurora, their elected officials, employees, agents and volunteers from and against all loss and expenses (including costs and attorneys' fees) by reason of liability imposed by law or claims made upon the City of Aurora for damages because of bodily injury, including death at any time resulting therefrom sustained by any person or persons or on account of damage to property, including loss of use thereof, arising out of or in consequence of the performance of this project work, whether such claims or injuries to persons or damage to property be due to the negligence of the Bidder or his Subcontractors. The Bidder shall assume total risk and shall be responsible for any and all damages or losses caused by or in any way resulting from the work and provide all insurance necessary to protect and save harmless the City of

Aurora and its employees.

The Bidder agrees to a waiver of subrogation. Neither the Bidder nor its insurers shall have the right to pursue the City to recover its costs associated with a claim arising out of the provision of the services required.

WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT

The Bidder further agrees to insure his employees and their beneficiaries and to the employees and the beneficiaries of any subcontractor employed from time to time by him on said Work, the necessary first-aid, medical, surgical, and hospital services and any compensation provided for in the Workers Compensation Act of the State of Illinois that is or may be in force in the

State.

Such insurance shall be placed by said Bidder in a company or association (to be approved by the City and to be accepted by the

Council thereof) authorized under the laws of the State of Illinois to insure the liability above specified.

Said Bidder hereby further agrees to indemnify, keep and save harmless said City from all action, proceedings, claims, judgments, awards, and costs, loss, damages, expenses, and attorney’s fees which may in any way come against said City by reason of any accidental injuries or death suffered by any of his employees or the employees of any subcontractor employed by him in and about the performance of the Work provided for in the Bid, and any and all liability resulting thereupon; and said

Bidder, in case of any suit, action, or proceeding on account of any or all of the foregoing shall defend the same for and on behalf of said City and indemnify the City therefore, and pay the amount of any and all awards and final judgments and orders rendered and entered therein, together with all loss, costs, damages, attorney’s fees, and expenses incurred therein. Said Bidder shall be the sole employer of its employees and workers, and in no way shall the City be considered a joint employer of same under any circumstance.

PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT

The Bidder shall provide an adequate number of competently trained personnel with sufficient supervision to provide the services required, and the Bidder shall provide identification of its personnel if requested by the City.

Any Bidder’s employee whose employment is reasonably detrimental or objectionable to the City shall be immediately transferred from the premises upon the City’s request. The exercise of the option shall not be construed as placing the City in charge of the Work or making the City responsible for safety.

All on the road vehicles or equipment shall be identified by the Bidder’s name for purpose of identification.

All tools or equipment required to carry out the operations within the scope of the contract shall be provided by the Bidder, and shall meet the standards of the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act and State of Illinois safety codes as may be required by law. The City reserves the right to inspect the equipment that will be used prior to award of Bid.

17. LOCAL BIDDER PREFERENCE

O20-029 approved April 28, 2020 defines “Local business” to mean a vendor or contractor who has a valid, verifiable physical business address located within the corporate boundaries of the City of Aurora at least twelve months prior to a bid or proposal opening date, from which the vendor, contractor or consultant operates or performs business on a daily basis, including manufacturing production or distribution. The business must disclose the percentage of workforce in the City of Aurora; be registered with the City of Aurora, if applicable;

be subject to City of Aurora taxes (inclusive of sales taxes); be current with property tax payments and sales tax payments; not have any outside cited code violations; not have any outstanding debts to the City of Aurora;

have adequately qualified and trained staff to service the bid of interest.

18. MINORITY PARTICIPATION

The City of Aurora encourages minority business firms to submit Bidders and encourages the successful Bid

Bidder to utilize minority businesses as sub-contractors for supplies, equipment, services and construction.

19. PROSECUTION OF WORK

The Bidder shall begin the Work to be performed under the Bid as specified in the specifications after the execution and acceptance of the Bid, unless otherwise provided. The Work shall be conducted in such a manner and with sufficient materials, equipment and labor as is considered necessary to ensure its completion within the time specified in the Bid.

20. TIME

Bidder shall schedule the Work to meet the requirement of the City. Bidder shall perform the Work expeditiously in cooperation with the City’s agents, employees, Bidders and subcontractors. Bidder shall make no claim against City and no claim shall be allowed for any damages which may arise out of any delay caused by City, its agents, employees, Bidder or subcontractors. Bidder’s sole remedy for delay shall be an extension in the Bid time.

21. SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Wherever special conditions are written into the Special Conditions and Specifications which are in conflict with conditions stated in these Instructions to Bidders, the conditions stated in Special Conditions and

Specifications shall take precedence.

22. REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

Bidder represents and warrants that the goods or services furnished hereunder (including all labels, packages and container for said good) comply with all applicable standards, rules and regulations in effect under the requirements of all Federal, State and local laws, rules and regulations as applicable, including the Occupational

Safety and Health Act as amended, with respect to design, construction, manufacture or use for their intended purpose of said goods or services.

23. SUBLETTING OR ASSIGNMENT OF WORK

If the Bidder sublets the whole or any part of the Work to be done under the contract, with or without the written consent of the City, he shall not, under any circumstances, be relieved of his liabilities and obligations. All transactions of the City shall be with the Bidder; subcontractors shall be recognized only in the capacity of employees or workmen and shall be subject to the same requirements as to character and competence. In case any party or parties, to whom any work under the contract shall have been sublet, shall disregard the directions of the City or his duly authorized representatives, or shall furnish any unsatisfactory

Work or shall fail or refuse in any way to conform to any of the provisions or conditions of the contract, then in that case, upon the written order of the City, the Bidder shall require said party or parties in default to discontinue Work under the contract. Said Work shall be corrected or made good and shall be continued and completed by the said Bidder or by such other party or parties as are approved by the City, in the manner and subject to all of the requirements specified in the contract.

24. GUARANTEE AND MAINTENANCE OF WORK

The Bidder shall guarantee the Work to be free from defects of any nature for a period of one year from and after the final acceptance and payment for the Work by the City, and the Bidder shall maintain said Work and shall make all needed repairs and/or replacements during this one year period which in the judgment of the

Council, may be necessary to insure the delivery of the Work to the City in first-class condition and in full conformity with the plans and specifications therefore, at the expiration of the guarantee period.

25. CONTRACT

The successful Bidder will be required to execute a contract within ten (10) days after notice of award and receipt of the contract from the City and sign and deliver to the City all required copies of the contract. Failure on the part of the Bidder to execute the contract within ten (10) days and provide the required evidence of insurance at, or before the execution of the contract, will be considered just cause for the annulment of the award of the Bid.

SCOPE OF WORK

1. GENERAL CONDITIONS

Bidders may submit proposals for any, all, or combination of the chemicals listed on the bid form. The City reserves the right to purchase chemicals from the low bidder identified during the reverse auction for each item.

It is the City’s intent to obtain bids for each chemical for the period of January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2027 with the option for one (1) additional one-year extension upon mutual agreement between the bidder and the City of Aurora. Prices shall remain firm for the entire contract period.

It is recognized that for certain process chemicals sought, performance may vary depending on the specific product supplied. Therefore, vendors who can supply more than one specific product meeting a given specification are encouraged to bid each such product.

The bidder awarded the contract will be required to furnish a Performance Bond in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the full contract price, a Payment Bond, Public Liability Insurance, and Workers

Compensation Insurance; all of which shall be acceptable to the City of Aurora.

Unless stated otherwise, the quantity specified to be provided is an estimate only. The actual requirements may vary widely with actual demand based on changes in raw water quality, finished water demand, and process chemical selection. The materials will be ordered on an as needed basis as directed by the Superintendent of

Water Production or his designee.

2. Phase Overview

This Bid will be conducted as a multistep competitive sealed bid consisting of Phase 1 – Unpriced Technical

Proposals and Phase 2 – Price Proposal/Reverse Auction. The City has partnered with eBridge to host this bidding event on its web-based bidding platform.

Phase 1 – Unpriced Technical Proposals: Bidders shall submit unpriced technical proposals, which include all requirements listed herein (except price) no later than the due date and time. Pricing will only be accepted in

Phase 2 during the reverse auction and only from Bidders whose technical proposals were found acceptable during Phase 1.

Phase 2 – Price Proposal/Reverse Auction: All pricing will ONLY be accepted during the live online reverse auction. Bidders with technical proposals that were approved by the City during Phase 1 will receive a Formal

Invitation Email from eBridge to participate in the live online reverse auction scheduled for the date and time listed in the Bid Timeline. These Bidders will be required to complete a one-on-one bid system training session with eBridge prior to entering an initial bid.

3. Unpriced Technical Proposal

The unpriced technical proposal must include the uploaded specification sheets of all chemicals that are being proposed. It is recognized that for certain process chemicals sought, performance may vary depending on the specific product supplied.

Therefore, vendors who can supply more than one specific product meeting a given specification are encouraged to bid each such product.

Cover Letter - On company letterhead, provide a narrative which introduces the firm and team highlighting the special strengths of the firm to perform the work requested and detail the company’s background. The letter should be signed by an authorized principal of the proposing consulting firm.

Specifications sheets must meet the minimum specifications listed below and special conditions.

• The successful bidder shall provide an affidavit of compliance with any referenced AWWA and NSF standard. In any event, all chemicals shall meet or exceed the purity requirements as stated in the National Research Council Water

Chemical Codes

• AWWA standards referenced shall in all cases be the most current edition of those specifications

• Successful bidders will be required to provide up-to-date product literature and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for each chemical supplied. This literature must be provided with the bid proposal

• Time and date of shipment of each order are considered essential elements of this contract. Should the successful bidder fail to deliver the quantity ordered within the time specified, the City shall have the right to purchase a similar quantity from other sources.

▪ Deliveries must not be made on weekends or holidays unless approved by the Superintendent of Water

Production or his designee. Acceptable delivery times are listed under Special Conditions for each specific chemical.

▪ Unless otherwise stated in the special conditions, chemicals are to be delivered by truck with maximum trailer height of 13'0" and tailgate height of a minimum of 3'6" and a maximum of 4'6".

▪ Unless otherwise stated in the special conditions, deliveries under this contract shall be made to either the City of Aurora Water Treatment Plant, 1111 Aurora Avenue, Aurora, Illinois or to the City of Aurora River Intake

Pumping Station at 1110 Aurora Avenue, Aurora, Illinois in accordance with the instructions of the

Superintendent of Water Production or his designee

▪ A photo identification of the delivery driver shall be faxed to the City of Aurora Water Treatment Plant prior to the delivery for identification purposes.

• If the supplier is unable to deliver the requested order quantity of any chemical throughout the length of the contract, the Superintendent of Water Production shall be notified as soon as possible by e-mail and phone.

• All chemical supplies shall be free from wood, metal, paper, plastic, or other materials that may impair the proper operation of feed equipment. The supplier shall be liable for any damage caused to chemical feed equipment by such material.

• Suppliers shall be liable for cleanup and/or repairs of any plant facility required by spillage or other damage during chemical delivery caused by negligence or faulty equipment of company making delivery.

Bidders must also review Attachment A- eBridge Information-City of Aurora and return the Electronic Bid Event Form as instructed. By responding to this bid, you are accepting that if awarded a contract, you will be obligated to pay a three percent

(3.0%) transaction fee to eBridge pursuant to the Electronic Bid Event Form and Terms and Conditions found in the eBridge

Information.

• Prices are to be submitted during the live online reverse auction only. Prices are to be quoted FOB Aurora, Illinois.

Bids not quoted FOB Aurora, Illinois are subject to rejection.

4. SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE

SPECIAL CONDITIONS: SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE

Material

• Product must meet ANSI/AWWA Standard B300-24. Product shall be certified as suitable for contact with or treatment of drinking water by an accredited certification organization in accordance with

NSF/ANSI Standard 60, Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals – Health Effects.

• Documentation demonstrating ANSI/AWWA and NSF approval must be submitted with the bid.

• Product composition must be a minimum 15 trade percent sodium hypochlorite as available chlorine at the time of delivery.

• A typical lot analysis, product information sheet and SDS must be included with the bid.

• A Certificate of Analysis must be provided with each delivery.

• The Certificate of Analysis must contain a lot number, volume percent of available chlorine, excess caustic as NaOH and specific gravity at 20oC.

• The analytical procedure used for each Certificate of Analysis parameter must be submitted to the

Aurora Water Treatment Plant prior to first delivery.

• Manufacturer must provide two (2) one-hour “Safe Handling and Use of Sodium Hypochlorite” classes, to be held at the Aurora Water Treatment Plant annually on two separate days, when requested.

• If any test conducted by the City of Aurora within two (2) business days of delivery shows that the sodium hypochlorite does not meet the minimum required available chlorine content, it is agreed that

10% of the price herein specified will be deducted from the payment for that shipment as liquidated damages.

Delivery

Delivery shall be to the City of Aurora Water Treatment Plant, 1111 Aurora Avenue, Aurora, Illinois. The chemical shall be transported and delivered in accordance with all federal, state, and local requirements. The chemical shall be unloaded into one of the four Sodium Hypochlorite bulk storage tanks located inside of the water plant. A two-inch diameter fill pipe for the tank is located on the outside wall of the treatment plant adjacent to the access road to facilitate delivery. The delivery truck shall be equipped with pneumatic equipment or other means acceptable to the City to allow for complete filling of the storage tanks. The delivery truck shall provide a discharge hose, nozzle, and adapters to connect to the fill pipe.

Deliveries shall be made Monday through Friday, excluding City holidays, between the hours of 7:30 AM and

3:30 PM local time. Deliveries outside the specified hours or on weekends/holidays will be allowed with special permission from the Superintendent of Water Production.

Deliveries will be ordered on an as needed basis with each delivery consisting of approximately 4,700 gallons each. Deliveries must be made within five (5) working days after order placement.

5. CALCIUM OXIDE (QUICKLIME), GRANULAR

SPECIAL CONDITIONS: CALCIUM OXIDE (QUICKLIME), GRANULAR

Material

Wherever reference is made herein to quicklime or lime and is not specified, it shall mean “High Calcium

Rotary Kiln Burned Chemical Quicklime”.

The quicklime furnished under this specification shall be quick slaking rotary kiln burned quicklime which is substantially free from cinders, dirt, ash, core, unburned stone, and other foreign materials. It shall be a brand that previously has been used successfully in the treatment of public water supplies of all types, and shall contain no soluble material or organic substances in quantities capable of producing deleterious or injurious effects upon the health of those consuming the water that has been treated properly with the lime product. The quicklime supplied shall be certified as suitable for contact with or treatment of drinking water by an accredited certification organization in accordance with NSF/ANSI Standard 60, Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals –

Health Effects. Documentation of such must be submitted with the bid.

The product supplied must perform compatibly and consistently with the RDP Technologies, Inc./Tekkem

Batch Slaking System. The use of the selected product will be discontinued if it results in inconsistent slaking or excessive maintenance and repair expense to lime slurry chemical feed equipment.

The bidder shall state in the bid the name, brand, and location of the manufacturer’s operation from where the proposed lime product will be shipped.

The lime product shall be suitable for pneumatic system unloading.

Chemical Requirements

Representative analysis: (Include Product Data Sheet w/bid)

Available Calcium Oxide (CaO) not less than 93.0%

Calcium Carbonate not more than 3.0%

Silica, SIO2 not more than 1.0%

Fe2O3 not more than 0.15%

MgO not more than 1.5%

Sulfur equivalent not more than 0.10%

Acid Insolubles not more than 1.0%

MnO not more than 50 ppm

Loss on Ignition (LOI) not more than 2%

Al2O3 not more than 0.15%

SPECIAL CONDITIONS-CALCIUM OXIDE

The lime shall be in white, odorless granular form all of which will pass through a 3/8” screen, not more than

65% shall pass through a -30 mesh screen and not more than 40% shall pass through a -100 mesh screen. The

30 mesh residue shall be 3% maximum. The quicklime shall consistently have a high-reactive slaking rate.

The lime must meet ANSI/AWWA Standard B202-25 for Quicklime and Hydrated Lime and shall be a high-reactive lime as defined by section 5.4, Slaking Rate.

Basis of Purchase

Should the percent of available calcium oxide be less than 93.0%, one and one-half percent of the contract price will be subtracted from the contract price for each 1% that the available calcium oxide content is below

93.0%. Failure to consistently meet lime quality specifications may result in cancellation of the Purchase

Contract by the City.

Method of Tests

The method of analysis used in determining the available calcium oxide present in the lime shall be that contained in the “AWWA Standard for Quicklime and Hydrated Lime” of the American Water Works

Association, B202-25, Section 5.3.

A certificate of analysis must be provided for each delivery.

Delivery

Delivery shall be to the City of Aurora Water Treatment Plant, 1111 Aurora Avenue, Aurora, Illinois. The lime shall be loaded in 20-ton truck trailer lots. The trucks shall be equipped with an off loading blower, suitable for connection to a 4” diameter steel pipe. The blower shall have sufficient capacity to transfer the granular lime a minimum distance of 120 feet through a 4” diameter steel pipe (90 feet vertically upward, 30 feet horizontally) into the water treatment plant lime silos. Maximum pressure of blower shall not exceed 10 psi during transfer of the granular lime from the truck trailer to silos. Truck drivers shall carry a broom and shovel to clean any spillage of lime during delivery.

Deliveries shall be made Monday through Friday, excluding City holidays, between the hours of 7:30 AM and

3:30 PM local time. Deliveries outside the specified hours or on weekends/holidays will be allowed with special permission from the Superintendent of…