P06726 ANNUAL SUPPLY OF SCALE INHIBITOR AND CLEAN IN PLACE CHEMICALS FINAL.pdf

LEGAL NOTICE

AND

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

P067-26

Sealed or electronic proposals will be accepted by the Brownsville Public Utilities Board/Southmost Regional Water Authority (BPUB/SRWA) for the Supply of Scale Inhibitor and Membrane Clean-In Place Chemicals, until 5:00 PM, October 7, 2026, at the Brownsville PUB Purchasing Department located at 1155 FM 511, Olmito, Texas 78575.

Proposals received after this time will not be considered.

Proposals will be publicly opened and acknowledged on October 8, 2026 at 10:00 AM.

Brownsville Public Utilities Board utilizes the Texas Purchasing Group to post Request for Proposal (RFP) and bid opportunities. Bid opportunities are available by following the link:

https://www.bidnetdirect.com/texas/brownsville-pub.

Please mark on the outside of the envelope and on any carrier’s envelope/package:

"P067-26 SEALED PROPOSAL FOR THE SUPPLY OF SCALE INHIBITOR AND

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS, OCTOBER 7, 2026, 5:00 PM", and send to the attention of Diane Solitaire, BPUB Purchasing Department, 1155 FM 511, Olmito, Texas 78575.

The Brownsville PUB/SRWA will not be responsible in the event that the U.S. Postal Service or any other courier system fails to deliver the sealed proposals to the Brownsville PUB, Purchasing office by the given deadline above. Electronic proposals will only be accepted via BidNet.

The Brownsville PUB/SRWA reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive irregularities contained therein and to accept any proposal deemed most advantageous to the Brownsville PUB/SRWA.

BY: Diane Solitaire

Purchasing and Materials Manager

(956) 983-6366 https://www.bidnetdirect.com/texas/brownsville-pub

P067-26 SUPPLY OF SCALE INHIBITOR &

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 2

INSTRUCTIONS TO PROPOSERS

Please submit this page upon receipt.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM

P067-26 SUPPLY OF SCALE INHIBITOR AND MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE

CHEMICALS

For any clarifications, please contact Nicole Espinoza at the Brownsville Public Utilities Board, Purchasing Department at (956) 983-6353 or via e-mail at nespinoza@brownsville-pub.com.

Please e-mail this page upon receipt of the legal notice.

Check one:

( ) Yes, I will be able to send a RFP; obtained RFP package from website.

( ) Yes, I will be able to send a RFP; please email the RFP package.

Email:

( ) No, I will not be able to send a RFP for the following reason:

If you are unable to send your proposal, kindly indicate your reason for “No bid” above and return this form via email to: nespinoza@brownsville-pub.com. This will ensure you remain active on our vendor list.

Date:

Company:

Name:

Address:

City: State: Zip Code:

Phone:

IF SPECIFICATIONS ARE DOWNLOADED FROM WEBSITE, PLEASE EMAIL THIS PAGE TO EMAIL LISTED ABOVE mailto:nespinoza@brownsville-pub.com mailto:nespinoza@brownsville-pub.com

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 3

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

1.1 NOTICE TO VENDORS

Sealed or electronic proposals for the Supply of Scale Inhibitor and Membrane Clean-in Place Chemicals for the SRWA will be received by the Purchasing Department of the Brownsville PUB/SRWA, 1155 FM 511, Olmito, Texas 78575 until 5:00 PM on October 7, 2026. Any proposals received after closing time will be rejected. Proposals will be acknowledged and the vendor’s name read aloud at 1155 FM 511, Olmito, Texas, on October 8, 2026 at 10:00 AM.

Detailed specifications may be obtained at the following website:

https://www.bidnetdirect.com/texas/brownsville-pub. BPUB/SRWA reserve the right to accept any proposal, to reject any or all proposals, or to waive any defects in any proposal.

1.1.1 DESCRIPTION

This proposal shall be for the purpose of supplying and delivering scale inhibitor and membrane clean-in-place (CIP) chemicals for the Southmost Regional Water Authority (SRWA) Brackish Groundwater Treatment Facility (BGTF). Scale inhibitor is used to reduce the precipitation of iron, silica, and calcium scaling through the membranes. Membrane cleaners are used to remove foulants and restore performance of membranes.

1.2 INSTRUCTIONS TO VENDORS

All proposal envelopes shall contain one (1) signed original and sealed envelope shall be clearly marked on the outside of the envelope and on any carrier’s envelope/package: “P067-26, SEALED PROPOSAL FOR THE SUPPLY OF SCALE INHIBITOR AND MEMBRANE

CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS, OCTOBER 7, 2026, 5:00 PM.” All proposals will be managed by Brownsville PUB/SRWA in a manner that avoids disclosure of the contents to competing vendors and keeps the proposals confidential during any negotiations. All proposals will be open for public inspection as stated in the Texas Public Information Act, after the contract is awarded; however, trade secrets and confidential commercial or financial information in the proposals specifically identified by the Vendor will not be open for public inspection.

Accordingly, all pages in the proposal that the Vendor considers to be proprietary and confidential should be appropriately marked.

1.2.1 PREPARATION AND SUBMITTAL OF PROPOSAL

Submit one (1) original of the proposal using the hard copy forms included in the RFP. RFP response can also be submitted electronically only through Bidnet.

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 4

THE PROPOSAL MUST INCLUDE AND SHOULD BE ORDERED AS FOLLOWS:

1. INTRODUCTION LETTER from Vendor giving a brief corporate overview and description of systems and services proposed to be provided. Also include in the letter the name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and fax number of the primary Vendor representative.

2. Completed ORIGINAL PROPOSAL FORM including price summary, signatures, and dates.

Please attach any notes or exceptions fully explained in a following section.

3. Completed VENDOR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT including any attachments.

4. Completed DETAILED PROPOSAL with any notes, examples, or exceptions fully explained in an attached section with each item cross referenced. Details shall include a description of the scale inhibitor and membrane clean-in place chemicals as specified in the technical specifications included in this RFP. Computer dose modeling and other bench test results supporting the recommended dosages MUST be included with proposal.

5. ALTERNATE METHODS FOR SATISFYING THE REQUIREMENTS should be included here with full cross referencing to the section name and item number(s).

6. OPTIONAL-Any additional information considered by the prospective Vendor to further describe the proposed services or to support the proposal. These items could include additional reports, descriptive materials, demos, or other documentation that the Vendor wishes to furnish.

1.2.2 Cost of preparation of the proposal shall be borne by the vendor.

1.2.3 Proposals must be signed by an officer authorized to commit the vendor to a contract with Brownsville PUB/SRWA in order to receive consideration.

1.2.4 All proposals shall remain firm for ninety (90) days following the closing date for the receipt of the proposals.

1.2.5 Short-listed candidates must guarantee their Original Proposal or subsequently clarified proposal for at least ninety (90) days from the Original Proposal closing date. Vendors are expressly advised to review the proposed Contract Documents as to their legal requirements and the causes which may lead to the disqualification of a Vendor and/or the rejection of a proposal.

To obtain the best and final offers, Brownsville PUB/SRWA may require written clarifications and explanations of Vendor proposals after Original Proposal submissions when certain candidates have been short-listed for interviews. Brownsville PUB/SRWA will not be liable for any of the Vendor’s costs or expenses incurred in preparation or presentation of the Proposal(s).

Brownsville PUB/SRWA also reserve the right to conduct testing on samples of the proposed scale inhibitors and membrane clean-in place chemicals, conduct a pre-award survey, or to require other evidence of technical, production, managerial, financial, or other abilities prior to the award of the contract.

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 5

To ensure that the award is made to the Vendor whose proposal best meets the needs of Brownsville PUB/SRWA, discussion based upon the Original Proposal Form, Vendor Disclosure Statement, Detailed Proposal, may be conducted with the short-listed Vendors. Brownsville PUB/SRWA expects that no more than two (2) meetings will be held with each of the short-listed Vendors. After the second (2nd) meeting, five (5) working days will be allowed for the Vendors to submit all requested additional information and explanations in writing, which shall be deemed a part of their final offer. The short-listed Vendors shall submit with such clarifications and explanations any revised projected delivery schedule. Short-listed Vendors shall be treated fairly and equally with respect to any and all opportunities for discussion, clarification, and explanation of proposals.

1.2.6 DELIVERY OF PROPOSALS

MAIL

Mailed sealed proposals must arrive at Purchasing Department, Brownsville Public Utilities Board/SRWA, 1155 FM 511, Olmito, Texas 78575, no later than 5:00 PM local time on October 7, 2026.

The Brownsville PUB/SRWA will not be responsible in the event that the U.S. Postal Service or any other courier system fails to deliver the sealed proposals to the Brownsville PUB/SRWA, Purchasing Department by the given deadline above.

EXPRESS MAIL OR HAND DELIVERY

Deliver sealed proposals to the Purchasing Department, Brownsville Public Utilities Board/SRWA, 1155 FM 511, Olmito, Texas, no later than 5:00 PM local time on October 7, 2026.

Late proposals will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Fax or telephone transmission of proposals will not be accepted with the exception of submitting electronically on Bidnet Direct's Texas Purchasing Group.

The Brownsville PUB/SRWA will not be responsible for any proposals delivered to a person or location other than that specified herein.

1.2.7 VENDOR REPRESENTATIVE

The successful Vendor agrees to send a personal representative with binding authority for the company to the Brownsville PUB/SRWA upon request to make adjustments and/or assist with coordination of all transactions as needed.

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 6

1.2.8 CONTRACT WITH FIRM/ENTITY INDEBTED TO BPUB/SRWA

It is a policy of the Brownsville PUB/SRWA to refuse to enter into a contract or other transaction with an individual, sole proprietorship, joint venture, Limited Liability Company or other entity indebted to Brownsville PUB/SRWA.

1.2.9 VENDOR ACH (DIRECT DEPOSIT) SERVICES

The Brownsville PUB/SRWA has implemented a payment service for vendors by depositing the payment directly to the vendor’s bank account. Successful vendor(s) will be required to receive payments directly through Automated Clearing House (ACH) in lieu of a paper check. The awarded vendor must agree to receive payments via ACH (Direct Deposit).

1.2.10 TAX IDENTIFICATION (TIN)

In accordance with IRS Publication 1220, a W9 form, or a W8 form in cases of a foreign vendor, will be required of all vendors doing business with the Brownsville PUB/SRWA. If a W9 or W8 form is not made available to Brownsville PUB/SRWA, the first payment will be subject to income tax withholding at a rate of 28% or 30% depending on the U.S. status and the source of income as per IRS Publication 1220. The W9 or W8 form must be included with proposal response. Attached are sample forms.

1.2.11 TAXES

The Brownsville PUB/SRWA is exempt from Federal Excise Tax, State Tax and Local taxes. Do not include tax in the proposal. If it is determined that tax was included in the proposal, it will not be included in the tabulation or any awards. Tax exemption certificates will be furnished upon request.

1.2.12 SIGNING OF PROPOSAL

Failure to sign proposal will disqualify it. Person signing proposal should show title or authority to bind their Firm to a contract.

1.2.13 EEOC GUIDELINES

During the performance of this contract, the Vendor agrees not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, national origin, age, religion, gender, marital or veteran status or physically challenging condition.

1.2.14CONTRACT AND PURCHASE ORDER

The product shall be delivered FOB SRWA to the location specified below in section 1.3.3 Location for Delivery and Use, page 10. Product will be ordered “as needed” and be billed as such. A contract for the product will be placed into effect by means of a purchase order issued by Brownsville PUB/SRWA after evaluation and final approval by the Board. This contract shall be for a period of one (1) year after the date of the purchase order, with the option to renew annually

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 7

for an additional two (2), one (1) year periods, if service and price are satisfactory, and the renewal is agreed upon in writing by both parties.

1.2.15 BROWNSVILLE PUB RIGHTS

1. The right to reject or re-propose if only one (1) or no proposal(s) is received by

“submission date” or extend the submission date by an additional two (2) weeks.

2. The right to reject any/or all Proposals and to make awards as they may appear to be advantageous to the BPUB/SRWA.

3. The right to hold the proposal for ninety (90) days from submission date without action, and to waive all formalities in this RFP.

4. The right to extend the total proposal beyond the original ninety (90) day period prior to an award, if agreed upon in writing by all parties (BPUB/SRWA and firm/vendor) and if firm/vendor holds original proposal prices firm.

5. The right to terminate for cause or convenience all or any part of the unfinished portion of the Project resulting from this solicitation within thirty (30) calendar days written notice; for cause: upon default by the firm/vendor, for delay or non-performance by the firm/vendor; or if it is deemed in the best interest of the BPUB/SRWA for BPUB/SRWA’s convenience.

6. The right to increase or decrease quantities as deemed necessary by the

BPUB/SRWA.

1.2.16 CORRECTIONS

Any interpretation, correction, or change to the request for proposals will be made by ADDENDUM. Changes or corrections will be issued by the Brownsville PUB/SRWA Purchasing Department. Addenda will be emailed to all who have returned the Proposal Acknowledgment form. Addenda will be issued as expeditiously as possible. It is the responsibility of the vendors to determine whether all addenda have been received. It will be the responsibility of all respondents to contact the Brownsville PUB/SRWA prior to submitting a response to the request for proposals to ascertain if any addenda have been issued, and to obtain all addenda, execute them, and return addenda with the response to the request for proposals.

Addenda may also be posted on BPUB’s webpage.

1.2.17 QUALIFICATIONS OF VENDOR

Each Vendor shall submit their Vendor Disclosure Statement with their proposal showing their experience in providing the scale inhibitor and membrane clean-in place chemicals, as well as their organization and facilities available for the work contemplated, and other requested data. The Brownsville PUB/SRWA shall have the right to take such steps as it deems necessary to determine the ability and responsibility of the Vendor to perform their obligations under the Contract. The Vendor shall furnish the Brownsville PUB/SRWA all such information and data for this purpose as the Brownsville PUB/SRWA may reasonably request.

The Vendor is specifically advised that any person, firm, or other party to whom it is proposed to award a subcontract under this contract must be acceptable to the Brownsville PUB/SRWA, and

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 8

that a Vendor Disclosure Statement for each proposed subcontractor must also be submitted with the proposal documents.

1.2.18 REJECTION OF PROPOSALS

The Brownsville PUB/SRWA reserves the right to reject any or all Proposals without cause.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Brownsville PUB/SRWA may reject any Proposal which is incomplete, not responsive, obscure or irregular; any Proposal that takes exception to conditions, or qualifies the commercial contractual conditions of the Brownsville PUB/SRWA; any Proposal which omits a submittal on any one or more items for which submittals are required; any Proposal which omits unit prices if unit prices are required; any Proposal accompanied by an insufficient or irregular warranty, and any Proposal from a Vendor who has previously failed to perform satisfactorily, or failed to deliver on time.

1.2.19 AWARD OF CONTRACT

The award is to be made to the responsive and responsible Vendor whose proposal, as clarified and explained, is determined to be the most advantageous to the Brownsville PUB/SRWA considering the relative importance of price and the following analysis of experience and technical evaluation factors to provide the scale inhibitor and membrane clean-in place chemicals that meet the required specifications.

Note: Evaluation factors are listed in order of their relative importance.

• The ability of the proposed Vendor to meet or exceed the requirements and associated activities within the stated time objectives. Evaluation of proposals shall be based on information supplied by the vendor, and product testing performed by the Brownsville PUB/SRWA or Brownsville PUB/SRWA designee. (Weight 5)

• Price (estimated annual cost based on unit price and estimated usage). Unit pricing shall remain firm on Scale Inhibitor and Membrane Clean-in-Place Chemicals for twelve (12) months after date of issuance of Purchase Order. (Weight 5)

• Performance of Scale Inhibitor and Membrane Clean-in-Place Chemicals on SRWA raw water as measured by factors specified in sections 1.01 B. and C. (Weight 5)

• Quality of Vendor performance on previous work or similar contracts. (Weight 3)

• The Brownsville PUB/SRWA evaluation of any identified and significant joint ventures, subcontractors, and suppliers. (Weight 2)

Total maximum points: 100 Rate – 1 thru 5 (1-worst; 5 best) Rate x Weight = Total Score

The Vendor may withdraw their proposal at any time prior to the closing time for receipt of proposal without prejudice to them, by submitting a written request for its withdrawal to the Brownsville PUB/SRWA Purchasing Department, 1155 FM 511, Olmito, Texas 78575.

1.2.20 TERM OF CONTRACT

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 9

This contract shall be for a period of one (1) year from the date of the purchase order with the option to renew annually for an additional two (2), one (1) year periods, if service and price are satisfactory, and the renewal is agreed upon in writing by both parties. The Owner may cancel the contract at any point during the contract term. The Owner may also award an initial contract year of 1 year, but is not obligated to extend the contract for the 2nd or 3rd year for which pricing is provided in this Proposal Form.

1.2.21 PRICING

Submit unit price on quantity specified, extend and show total. In case of errors in extension, unit prices shall govern. Prices shall remain firm for twelve (12) months after date on Purchase Order and shall not be subject to adjustments. All prices shall be stated in U.S. dollars.

All fields (UNIT PRICE, EXTENDED COST) in the ORIGINAL PROPOSAL FORM must be filled. The data must be complete to identify the brand submitted.

Failure to submit any of the above information with the sealed proposal will disqualify the proposal.

1.2.22 SIGNIFICANT DATES

The following table depicts proposed significant dates for this project.

TASK DATE

RFP ISSUE DATE September 22, 2026 LAST DAY TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS September 28, 2026 by 5:00 PM PROPOSALS DUE October 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM PROPOSALS ACKNOWLEDGED October 8, 2026 at 10:00 AM PROPOSALS EVALUATED October 8 – October 22, 2026 PROVIDE FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS October 23, 2026 SEND TO BOARD FOR APPROVAL November 9, 2026 (Tentative)

1.3 EXISTING SYSTEM

1.3.1 GENERAL BACKGROUND

Brownsville PUB is located in the City of Brownsville, Texas, on the U.S.-Mexico border near the Gulf of Mexico. Brownsville PUB provides electric, water and wastewater services to the City and the surrounding area.

The Southmost Regional Water Authority (SRWA) Brackish Groundwater Treatment Facility is facility using reverse osmosis (RO) membrane technology to provide potable drinking water.

Eight RO trains provide approximately one million gallons per day each, using a two-stage process with an overall recovery of 75%. The vessels are arranged in a 22-11 array with reject water from the first stage feeding into the second stage. Each vessel contains seven (7) eight-inch brackish water membranes.

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 10

1.3.2 RAW WATER CHARACTERISTICS

Twenty production wells, approximately 200 to 300 feet below ground level, tap into the Rio Grande Alluvium within the Gulf Coast Aquifer. The groundwater is pumped 7.2 miles to the RO Treatment Plant. The ground water contains approximately 3,700 mg/L of total dissolved solids (TDS). Additional water quality data is available in Exhibit A.

1.3.3 LOCATIONS FOR DELIVERY AND USE

Southmost Regional Water Authority (SRWA)

1255 N. FM 511

Brownsville, TX 78526

1.3.4 CURRENT SCALE INHIBITOR AND MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE

CHEMICALS

The SRWA Brackish Groundwater Treatment Facility is currently using Scale Inhibitor AWC A- 108 Fe and Clean-In-Place Chemicals AWC C-234 and AWC C-237.

1.4 DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS

1.4.1 PRODUCT DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS

Vendor shall provide for the delivery of the scale inhibitor and membrane clean-in place chemicals in a timely manner as specified below. Delivery shall meet all OSHA and DOT Regulations and any other Federal and State Regulations that are applicable.

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and quality control data shall be provided with each delivery. The product that is delivered is subject to inspection and testing by Brownsville PUB/SRWA personnel.

No shipment will be allowed to be unloaded without prior consent from plant personnel on-site.

All drivers shall wear all necessary personal protection equipment while connecting, unloading, and disconnecting containers.

Successful vendor shall be able to deliver the scale inhibitor and membrane clean-in place chemicals within three (3) working days after request and overnight in cases of emergencies.

Delivery hours are Monday thru Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Notify Water Plant Operators twenty-four (24) hours prior to delivery; SRWA at (956) 983-6689.

1.4.2 QUANTITY

Quantities will be determined based on the product selection and site-specific dosages required.

(Details on the treatment plant operation and raw water quality are provided in Section 1.04 Project Conditions in the Specifications section of this document.) The SRWA on-site limitations for chemical storage include up to 10 totes of scale inhibitor and 14 drums of clean-in-place chemicals.

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 11

1.5 QUALITY ASSURANCE

1.5.1 Reference Standards. All scale inhibitors and membrane clean-in place chemicals shall meet the requirements of the following except where more detailed or stringent requirements are indicated by the contract documents.

ASTM – Testing Methods and Materials-D4516: Standard Practice for Standardizing Reverse Osmosis Performance Data

NSF - For treatment of potable water-Standard 60: Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals

1.5.2 Vendors shall have a minimum of three (3) years certifiable experience in the type of scale inhibitor and membrane clean-in place chemicals proposed.

1.6 LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

1.6.1 INSURANCE

Vendor agrees to maintain Worker's Compensation and Employers’ Liability Insurance to cover all of its own personnel engaged in performing services for Brownsville PUB/SRWA under this Proposal in at least the following minimum amounts:

Workmen's Compensation – Statutory Employers’ Liability -- $100,000.00

Vendor also agrees to maintain Commercial General Liability, Comprehensive Business Automobile Liability and Excess Umbrella Liability Insurance covering claims against Vendor for damages resulting from bodily injury, death or property damages from accidents arising in the course of work performed under this Proposal in not less than the following amounts:

Commercial General Liability Personal injury and property damage - $1,000,000.00 combined single limit each occurrence and $1,000,000.00 aggregate

Comprehensive Business Automobile Liability for all vehicles Bodily injury and property damage - $1,000,000.00 combined single limit each occurrence

Excess Umbrella Liability $1,000,000.00

Vendor shall add, as first named insured, the Brownsville PUB, its Board Members, Officers and employees, and the City of Brownsville, its Commissioners, Officers and employees as additional insureds on all required insurance policies, except workers’ compensation/employer’s liability. The insurance policies shall be endorsed to provide for thirty (30) calendar days advance notice to Brownsville PUB and City of any policy cancellation or material change. The Commercial General Liability and Excess Umbrella

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 12

Liability Policy shall be of an “occurrence” type policy, and be primary and not contributory. The Commercial General Liability shall also include protection against claims of personal injury and contractual liability assumed by Service Provider.

Vendor shall furnish Brownsville PUB with Insurance Certificate(s) at least ten (10) calendar days prior to field work commencement, and Brownsville PUB may, at its sole discretion, obtain a copy of the required insurance policies, which Service Provider agrees to disclose to the Brownsville PUB promptly upon request.

1.6.2 INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

VENDOR SHALL INDEMNIFY AND SAVE HARMLESS THE CITY OF

BROWNSVILLE AND BROWNSVILLE PUB/SRWA AND THEIR COMMISSIONERS,

BOARD MEMBERS, OFFICERS, SERVANTS AND EMPLOYEES FROM ALL SUITS,

ACTIONS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, CLAIMS, OR LIABILITY OF ANY CHARACTER,

TYPE, OR DESCRIPTION, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY

OF THE FOREGOING, ALL EXPENSES OF LITIGATION, COURT COSTS, AND

REASONABLE ATTORNEY'S FEES FOR INJURY OR DEATH TO ANY PERSON, OR

INJURY TO ANY PROPERTY, RECEIVED OR SUSTAINED BY ANY PERSON OR

PERSONS OR PROPERTY, TO THE EXTENT ARISING OUT OF, OR OCCASIONED

BY, THE NEGLIGENT ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF VENDOR OR ITS AGENTS OR

EMPLOYEES, IN THE EXECUTION OF PERFORMANCE OF THIS PROPOSAL.

TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY TEXAS LAW GOVERNING PUBLIC ENTITIES,

VENDOR'S TOTAL LIABILITY TO BPUB FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGES FROM

CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS PROPOSAL FROM

ANY CAUSE, INCLUDING VENDOR'S STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF

CONTRACT, SHALL NOT EXCEED THE RESPECTIVE AND APPROPRIATE LIMITS

OF THE VENDOR'S VARIOUS LIABILITY INSURANCE COVERAGES AS SPECIFIED

IN SECTION 1.6.1 HEREIN. BPUB HEREBY RELEASES VENDOR FROM ANY

LIABILITY EXCEEDING SUCH AMOUNTS.

1.7 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1.7.1 Three (3) municipal references using the proposed product successfully are to be included with the proposal.

1.7.2 The unit price shall be in product wet pound of shipment that is delivered. Scale inhibitor and membrane clean-in place chemicals shall be priced on a per tote basis at approximately 275 pounds per tote.

1.7.3 The successful vendor shall remove the product from the Brownsville PUB/SRWA Water

Treatment Plant immediately upon substantial proof that the product offered is not performing the expected results as per specifications above. The Water Treatment Manager will notify the successful vendor of unacceptable results in product performance

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 13

and/or failure to meet specified requirements. The Water Treatment Manager’s decision shall be final.

1.7.4 Upon failure of the successful vendor to comply with any part of the specifications, the

Brownsville PUB/SRWA will notify such vendor to remove product from the Brownsville PUB/SRWA premises. A period of two (2) weeks will be allowed for removal of product.

1.7.5 The Vendor is responsible for all insurance requirements including public liability insurance in the minimum amount prescribed by law protecting the Brownsville PUB/SRWA from any and all claims and demands that may be made against said Board as a result of the Vendor’s delivery of Scale Inhibitor and Membrane Clean-in Place chemicals (refer to Section 1.6). All TCEQ, EPA and Department of Health permits must be secured. Vendor must comply with other Federal, State or Local Regulations pertinent to transporting and handling of the scale inhibitor and membrane clean-in place chemicals.

The Vendor must provide, with proposal and upon request at any time, evidence of adequate liability insurance, other insurances, permits and authorizations. A current Certificate of Insurance must be on file with the Brownsville PUB/SRWA at all times.

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 14

ORIGINAL PROPOSAL FORM

FOR

P067-26 SUPPLY OF SCALE INHIBITOR AND MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN

PLACE CHEMICALS

To: Brownsville Public Utilities Board/SRWA

1155 FM 511

Olmito, Texas 78575

Attention: Purchasing Department

Proposal Due: October 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM Acknowledgment of Proposal: October 8, 2026 at 10:00 AM

The undersigned Vendor, having read and examined the requirements and specifications for the above, proposes to supply the chemical set forth in the Original Proposal. All prices stated herein are firm for twelve (12) months after date of Purchase Order and shall not be subject to adjustments. All prices are stated in U.S. dollars.

PRICE

The undersigned Vendor hereby proposes to furnish the following product, as described herein, for the price of:

SCALE INHIBITOR

Term

Proposed Scale Inhibitor Trade

Name

Proposal Price (Dollars Per Pound of Scale Inhibitor)

Delivered Solution

Specific Gravity

Dosing Rate

(mg/L) Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 15

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN-PLACE CHEMICALS

Term Proposed CIP

Chemical Trade Name

Cost of Chemicals per Pound for One RO

Plant Cleaning

Anticipated Gallons of Chemical for

Annual CIP Event Year 1

Acidic Cleaner Alkaline Cleaner

Year 2

Year 3

OPTIONAL SERVICES

Service Cost per Membrane or Occurrence

Membrane Autopsy

Membrane Cleaning Analysis

The Brownsville PUB reserves the right to contract for each of the above-described elements individually or as a whole at their own discretion.

All goods and services are to be proposed FOB SRWA, 1255 N FM 511, Brownsville, TX 78526.

This contract shall be for a period of one (1) year from the date of the purchase order with the option to renew annually for an additional two (2), one (1) year periods, if service and cost are satisfactory, and the renewal is agreed upon in writing by both parties.

Brownsville PUB/SRWA has the right to increase or decrease quantities as deemed necessary. In proposal, stipulate whether the increase or decrease will affect proposal price.

(_____) Yes, an increase or decrease in quantity will affect proposal price above.

(_____) No, an increase or decrease in quantity will not affect proposal price above.

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 16

PROPOSER SIGNATURE DECLARATION

The undersigned hereby offers and agrees to furnish the goods and services in compliance with all the service level requirements, instructions, specifications, and any amendments contained in this RFP document and any written exceptions in the offer accepted by the Owner.

This proposal is genuine, and not sham or collusive, nor made in the interest or on behalf of any person not herein named; the Vendor has not directly or indirectly induced or solicited any other Vendor to put in a sham proposal, or any other person, firm or corporation to refrain from submitting a proposal; and the Vendor has not in any manner sought by collusion to secure for themselves an advantage over any other Vendor.

Company Name:

Authorized Company Representative: ____________ (Print Name and Title) Authorized Company Representative: ____________ Signature (Failure to sign proposal will automatically disqualify it) Company Address:

City State Zip Code Telephone #:

Twenty-Four Hour Telephone #:

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 17

VENDOR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

1. Company Name

2. Address

3. What is the ownership structure of the business unit? Is the business unit an independent business or a division or subsidiary of a larger corporation? Is the ultimate ownership public or private?

4. Firm Description: Provide succinct descriptions of your firm, including relevant information about the firm’s capacities, size, range of services (including experience with proposed solution), and length of time in existence. Include a statement of the firm’s qualifications for performing the subject services. (General promotional materials should be bound separately and placed in an appendix.)

5. How long has your company or division provided services to the water utility industry? To other industries?

6. Please provide all recent client references for services. For each client, please provide:

• Client name, address, and phone number

• Client contact

• Indication of size of similar system

• Years of usage

• Significant subcontractors; if other subcontractors are to be involved with the performance of these services, those subcontractors should comply with above items.

7. What has been your track record in meeting all EPA, TCEQ or other regulatory agencies requirements for the treatment of water to be used for human consumption?

8. Qualification of Key Personnel: Provide the names of the firm’s key personnel who will be providing technical support for use of the product(s), and a synopsis of their experience relevant to the work contemplated herein. Specify experience of key personnel in each of the relevant areas.

9. The proposing agency warrants and covenants that no official or employee of Brownsville

PUB/SRWA, nor any business entity in which Brownsville PUB/SRWA has an interest, has been employed or retained to solicit or aid in the procuring of the resulting contract, nor that any such person will be employed in the performance of such contract without immediate divulgence of such fact to Brownsville PUB/SRWA.

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 18

SPECIFICATIONS FOR SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF SCALE INHIBITOR AND

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS

PART 1 - GENERAL

1.01 QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. Manufacturer of scale inhibitor and membrane cleaning chemicals shall be ISO 9001 certified.

B. Scale Inhibitor

1. Scale inhibitor must be NSF 60 certified for drinking water applications.

2. Chemical strength

a. Specific gravity and dose of chemical shall facilitate use of the existing chemical metering pumps, which, while operating within the range of 20 to 90 percent speed, can deliver between 0.06 and 0.99 gallons per hour.

There are eight (8) metering pumps and one pump operates for each RO train in service.

b. The use of concentrated scale inhibitor is acceptable; however, the batching of concentrate must be done off-site. The product delivered shall be guaranteed to be of the concentration that corresponds with the recommended dosing rate. Make-up water used for dilution of concentrated scale inhibitor shall be chlorine free and shall not compromise the performance of the scale inhibitor or compromise the integrity of the RO membranes.

c. Delivered product shall contain 9% solids content or greater.

3. The scale inhibitor solution shall retain full inhibition and dispersant properties for a period of one (1) year from the date of delivery. The scale inhibitor solution shall not support biological growth in the solution during the period of one (1) year from the date of delivery.

4. Without acidification of the RO feed water, the scale inhibitor shall (1) control all mineral scale, including (but not limited to): calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, strontium sulfate and silica; (2) prevent deposition of iron fouling when concentration of ferric iron may periodically range from 0.4 to 0.6 mg/L.

5. Compatibility:

a. The scale inhibitor shall be fully compatible with feed water constituents such as silica, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, and aluminum.

These feed water constituents, if present, will not cause precipitation of the scale inhibitor.

b. The scale inhibitor shall be fully compatible with thin film composite polyamide membrane elements, specifically Hydranautic’s ESPA 2 membrane.

6. The scale inhibitor shall consist of organic compounds which inhibit:

a. The precipitation of sparingly soluble inorganic salts such as, but not limited to, calcium carbonate, calcium silicate, strontium sulfate and silica.

b. The deposition of colloidal materials such as, but not limited to clays and the hydroxides of metals such as aluminum, iron, and manganese.

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 19

7. The scale inhibitor, when used in the dose as recommended by the successful Vendor and when the reverse osmosis plant is operated at the specified recovery, shall fully inhibit any sparingly soluble salts that are indicated by the specified feed water analysis for at least 24 hours.

a. Assume recovery may vary by +/- 2 percent from stated condition.

a. Design water quality may vary by +/- 10% from stated condition.

C. Clean-in-Place Chemicals

1. CIP chemicals must be NSF 60 certified for drinking water applications.

2. The CIP chemicals proposal shall be a liquid, synergistic chemical blend having a minimum of the following components:

a. For acidic cleaner - must have a pH buffer, a chelant, and dispersant.

b. For alkaline cleaner - must have a pH buffer, surfactant, and dispersant.

3. The use of the CIP chemical shall not damage the membranes or compromise the membrane warranty.

D. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Upon award of any contract resulting from this solicitation, the successful Vendor will be required to provide a minimum of four copies of the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for scale inhibitor and CIP chemicals, by Chemical Abstracts Registry (CAS) Numbers and provide percent active ingredients. The Owner agrees to sign a confidentiality statement if such a statement is requested by successful Vendor.

1.02 WARRANTY AND CONDITIONS

A. The Vendor shall warranty the scale inhibitor against damage to the membrane elements due to scale. Damage to the element is defined as any physical damage to the membrane surface which results in a loss of ASTM normalized salt rejection or permeate flow and is non-recoverable with cleaners and cleaning procedures recommended by the Vendor.

B. Membrane cleaning is required in accordance with the following conditions and in accordance with the membrane supplier’s conditions:

1. ASTM D 4516 Normalized Permeate Flow declines by 10 percent from the standard condition.

2. ASTM D 4516 Normalized Salt Rejection increases or declines by 10 percent from the standard condition.

3. Normalized Feed-Brine Differential Pressure increases by 15 percent from the standard condition.

C. When the RO system is operated at the recovery specified and with a feed water whose analysis falls within the ranges specified:

1. Should the use of:

a. Scale inhibitor at the dosage indicated in the proposal form result in a sparingly-soluble inorganic precipitate that fouls the reverse osmosis membrane such that cleaning is required more than once per year, then the

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 20

successful Vendor shall clean or replace the membrane elements at no cost to the Owner.

b. CIP chemicals (used in accordance with the procedures recommended by the successful Vendor) result in a loss after cleaning of ASTM normalized permeate flow or salt rejection that exceeds 15% beyond typical and anticipated irrecoverable performance loss as specified by the membrane manufacture, the successful Vendor shall replace membrane elements at no cost to the Owner.

2. If successful Vendor must increase their dosage, or change products to avoid precipitation of sparingly soluble salts, the change shall be made at no additional cost to the Owner. Payments for scale inhibitor within the contract term will be based upon the dosage and unit pricing indicated in the proposal form.

3. If the Owner determines that an increase dosage rate is required, because the rate submitted was artificially low, they may terminate the contract at their discretion.

D. The scale inhibitor shall be used in accordance with the published product selection guidelines and the site-specific dosage recommended by the Vendor based on the Vendor’s dosing model.

E. This warranty shall be in place for the chemical supply contract period.

F. All warranty claims by Owner must be accompanied by a sample of the affected membrane and system monitoring data. Required system monitoring data shall include:

1. Verification of RO train operation in accordance with conditions specified by the standard conditions:

a. Train recovery data trends.

1) Calculated by daily manual data entry to spreadsheet.

b. Stage 1 flux data trends.

1) Calculated by daily manual data entry to spreadsheet.

c. Stage 2 flux data trends.

1) Calculated by daily manual data entry to spreadsheet.

d. Feed water quality.

1) Silt Density Index (post cartridge filters).

a) Daily manual data entry to spreadsheet.

2) Alkalinity, calcium hardness, total hardness.

a) Monitored weekly

3) Turbidity (post cartridge filters), pH, Temperature.

a) Daily manual data entry to spreadsheet.

4) Calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, barium, strontium, alkalinity, pH, temperature, sulfate, chloride, fluoride, nitrate, phosphate, aluminum, manganese, iron, silica.

a) Once per year by laboratory.

2. Verification of scale inhibitor dose in accordance with conditions specified by successful Vendor:

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 21

a. Flow from scale inhibitor system.

1) Calibration column log (daily).

3. Verification of fouling conditions:

a. Stage 1 ASTM Normalized Permeate Flow.

1) Calculated by manual data entry to spreadsheet.

b. Stage 1 ASTM Normalized Salt Rejection.

1) Calculated by manual data entry to spreadsheet.

c. Stage 1 Normalized Feed-Brine Differential Pressure

1) Calculated by manual data entry to spreadsheet.

d. Stage 2 ASTM Normalized Permeate Flow.

1) Calculated by manual data entry to spreadsheet.

e. Stage 2 ASTM Normalized Salt Rejection.

1) Calculated by manual data entry to spreadsheet.

f. Stage 2 Normalized Feed-Brine Differential Pressure

1) Calculated by manual data entry to spreadsheet.

1.03 SUBMITTALS

A. The following submittals are due upon receipt of the Proposal Form (Pages15-16):

1. Scale inhibitor dose and computer dose modeling output based on the feed water quality provided in Exhibit A-Page 28.

a. Computer modeling software shall use complex ion modeling to ensure the projected scale inhibitor use is adequate and accurate.

b. Calcium Carbonate Precipitation Potential (CCPP) saturation indices is preferred to Langelier Saturation Index (LSI). If the LSI is used as the only method for determining calcium carbonate saturation, ENGINEER shall be provided the opportunity to review the software’s LSI calculation before proposals are submitted.

2. Evidence that the scale inhibitor will inhibit the formation of scale of the concentrate chemistry for at least 24 hours shall be provided at the time of proposal submission. Laboratory data demonstrating induction time is achieved, or equivalent will be accepted.

a. Up to 1 liter of feed water will be made available to Vendors by Owner upon request. If additional volume of feed water is required, Vendors may provide containers and pre-paid return shipping instructions to Owner.

b. Vendors must submit testing methods, or equivalent will be reviewed and determined acceptable by Owner before submission of the Proposal Form (Pages 15-16) and testing data, or equivalent, based upon the pre-approval process outlined above.

3. CIP chemical quantities for a one-year supply (assuming a high pH and low pH clean for each stage of all trains once per year) at the stated project conditions.

4. NSF 60 certification for scale inhibitor and CIP chemicals. The NSF certification for the product submitted must be current on the date of proposal submittal.

5. Unless the product has been used at the full-scale plant or piloted onsite within the last two years, a letter from the membrane supplier, dated within 2 years of date proposal was submitted, which states the use of the scale inhibitor and CIP

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 22

chemical will not damage the membranes or compromise the membrane warranty.

6. CIP chemical dose and application instructions.

7. CIP chemical neutralization instructions.

8. The Owner reserves the right to request for supplementary technical details.

1.04 PROJECT CONDITIONS

A. General

1. The SRWA BGTF is a 10-MGD RO treatment plant that has operated at an annual average flow ranging from 6 to 7.7 MGD over the last 7 years.

B. Pretreatment

1. No acid is used for feed water pH adjustment.

2. Scale inhibitor is dosed into an in-line static mixer.

3. Scale inhibitor is dosed ahead of the cartridge filters, which are designed in accordance with the following conditions:

Cartridge Filter Design Criteria Description Units Design Criteria

Total Membrane Feed Water Flow gpm (mgd) 7,430 (8.9)

No. of Cartridge Filter Vessels (Total) No. 6

Cartridge Filter Vessel Flow gpm/ea. (mgd/ea.) 926.7 (1.3) Cartridge Filter Type String Wound Fiber - Polypropylene

Double Open End/Knife Seal Cartridge Filter Micron Rating micron 5

Cartridge Filter Loading Rate gpm/10-inch 1.3 Cartridge Filter Length in. 40

No. of Cartridges per Vessel No. 176

A. Feed Water Analysis

1. The Southmost Regional Water Authority is fed by fourteen (14) to twenty (20) brackish groundwater wells.

2. Water quality for the SWRA wellfield is presented in Exhibit A, Page 28.

B. RO Train Criteria

1. RO Train Design Criteria is presented in the table below:

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 23

RO Train Design Criteria Parameter Unit Design Criteria RO Feed Water Flow gpm (mgd) 7,403 (8.9) RO Permeate Water Flow gpm (mgd) 5,552 (6.7) RO Concentrate Water Flow gpm (mgd) 1,851 (2.2) Membrane Trains Number of Membrane Trains No. 8 Train Permeate Capacity gpm/ea. (mgd/ea.) 695 (1.0) Train Flux Rate gfd 11.9 Flux Rate Stage 1 gfd 12.6 Flux Rate Stage 2 gfd 10.5 RO System Recovery Rate % 75 ± 2 No. of Train Array Stages No. 2 No. of 1st Stage Pressure Vessels per Train No. 22 No. of 2nd Stage Pressure Vessels per Train No. 11 No. of Membrane Elements Per Vessel No. 7 RO Membrane Area per Element ft2 400 RO Membrane Elements Hydranautics ESPA2 Type of Interstage Pump Turbocharger, Pump

Engineering, Inc.

Inter-stage Booster Pump Flow Rate gpm 439 Inter-stage Booster Pump TDH (Typical) ft H2O 40

A. Scale Inhibitor Storage and Feed System

1. Bulk storage tank

a. Capacity: 500 gallons (consisting of two, 275-gallon totes).

2. Delivery:

a. 275 gallon “delivery” totes are drained by gravity to the two 275-gallon totes that remain installed in place.

3. Metering Pump

a. Quantity: 8 (i.e., one for each RO train in service)

b. Capacity (per pump) when operating between 20 to 90 percent speed:

between 0.06 and 0.99 gallons per hour.

4. Metering Monitor

a. General:

1) Located on discharge manifold of metering pump (FSL205A –

205H).

b. Manufacturer/Model:

1) Prominent/Type II Metering Monitor

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 24

B. CIP System

1. General:

a. The CIP system is designed to provide cleaning flows of up to 22 vessels at a time. The cleaning for the first stage is isolated so as to prevent CIP return solution from entering the second stage.

2. The criteria for the CIP system are presented in the following table.

Clean-in-Place System Design Criteria Parameter Unit Criteria Pressure Vessel Production Flow Rate

Stage 1 gpm/ea. 42 Stage 2 gpm/ea. 40

Pressure Vessel Cleaning Flow Rate Stage 1 gpm/ea. 40 Stage 2 gpm/ea. 40

CIP Chemical Tank No. (gal) 1 (2,500) CIP Recirculation Type Self-Priming End-Suction

Centrifugal CIP Recirculation Pump Flow gpm 880 CIP Recirculation Pump Discharge Pressure psig 67.1 CIP Recirculation Pump TDH ft H2O 150 CIP Recirculation Pump Horsepower hp 60 CIP Recirculation Pump Driver Constant Speed CIP Cartridge Filter Type String Wound

Double Open End/Knife Seal

CIP Cartridge Filter Micron Rating micron 1 CIP Cartridge Filter Loading Rate gpm/10-inch 4.2 Length of CIP Cartridge Filters 40 No. of CIP Cartridge Filters 52 CIP Tank Heater, No. per Tank No. 1

Size KW 45

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 25

PART 2 PRODUCTS

2.01 QUANTITY

A. Scale Inhibitor

1. Proposal shall be based upon a twice annual delivery of scale inhibitor of sufficient quantity to satisfy the annual average flow.

2. CIP Chemicals

a. Proposal shall be based furnishing both alkaline and acid cleaners of sufficient quantity for a once per year cleaning regime of all RO membrane trains. Refer to Project Conditions for RO train and CIP system details.

PART 3 EXECUTION

3.01 DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING

A. General Deliveries:

1. The successful Vendor shall make deliveries of scale inhibitor and CIP chemicals upon request to the Southmost Regional Water Authority Brackish Groundwater Treatment Facility, located at 1255 N FM 511, Brownsville, Texas 78526.

2. The successful Vendor shall coordinate deliveries with Owner in advance of delivery. Delivery will be accepted between 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 PM. If Vendor cannot make the delivery during the stated hours, the successful Vendor shall notify the Owner and an alternate time may be arranged at the discretion of the Owner.

3. Deliver of scale inhibitor:

a. In multiple 275-gallon totes.

4. Deliver CIP products:

a. In manufacturer's original containers with seals unbroken and labeled with manufacturer’s batch number.

b. On a pallet with a maximum container size of 55 gallons (drum).

5. Owner’s staff will remove totes and pallets from delivery vehicle using a forklift.

B. Condition of Cargo Trailers

1. All cargo trailers and appurtenant valves used for the delivery of scale inhibitor and CIP products under this agreement shall be in good mechanical order and shall be in full compliance with the applicable requirements of the Hazardous Materials Regulations of the Department of Transportation, Code of Federal Regulations, as currently issued.

C. Safety Requirements and Training

1. The truck driver shall have received appropriate training and shall wear the appropriate protective equipment when required.

MEMBRANE CLEAN-IN PLACE CHEMICALS 26

2. The successful Vendor shall furnish to the Owner the Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) in…