Form_MBD-70_Procurement_Guidelines.pdf

This is a Procurement Guidelines document establishing minority and small business participation requirements for the City of Tampa, specifically applicable to the Liquid Cationic Polymer supply contract (ITB No. 24-P-01431) for the Howard F. Curren Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant. The City seeks a major polymer manufacturer or exclusive representative to supply liquid cationic polymer for delivery to the Port of Tampa at 2700 Maritime Boulevard. The procurement addresses treatment of an estimated 550,000 wet tons of sludge annually. Bidders must complete pre-qualification testing within 45 days of bid advertisement, including screening and in-plant performance trials. Bids are due by 2:00 p.m. on February 4, 2025. The proposed contract period is three years with an option to renew for an additional two years. The successful vendor must provide on-site employee training, technical assistance for optimizing polymer dosage, and be responsible for cleaning existing polymer storage tanks and equipment prior to first delivery.

The estimated contract value is $2,000,000, with pricing evaluated on a cost per pound of polymer delivered basis through lowest responsive, responsible bidder methodology meeting technical specifications and performance requirements. The City of Tampa's Equal Business Opportunity Program mandates robust Women/Minority Business Enterprise and Small Local Business Enterprise (WMBE/SLBE) participation, requiring bidders to demonstrate good faith efforts in soliciting and including diverse subcontractors through completion of Diversity Management Information Forms and ten specific action steps for subcontractor inclusion. Bidders must provide detailed documentation including Letters of Intent, payment tracking forms, and compliance with minority business development guidelines. The procurement encourages use of local economic development resources to recruit and place WMBE/SLBE firms, with comprehensive reporting requirements on subcontractor demographics and payment information.