Sole_Source_-_PS_-_HJ3_CompositeTechnologies_-Over_$50k.pdf

Apopka Finance Form

06/11/2026 11:34 AM (EDT)

Apopka Finance Forms

Staff Email msaylor@apopka.net

Department Utilities Operations

Please select form type Sole Source Request

VENDOR FORM

Reminder that Vendor Form is now electronic, please provide link to vendors so they can complete online process:

https://apopkafl.form.transform.civicplus.com/41496

CHANGE ORDER FORM

Change Order Form to be included as attachment to change order request.

Change Order Form

GUIDES

Below are a series of documents that have been developed to assist users with guidance on submitting and/or reviewing electronic forms:

How to Enter a Change Order Request

How to Review a Change Order Request - For Reviewers

How to Enter a Sole Source Request

How to Enter an Evaluated Source Request

How to Enter an Emergency Designation Request

How to Enter Travel & Training Authorization Request

Apopka Sole Source Request

Date 06/11/2026

Department Utilities Operations

Sole Source Title Description Procurement of Material & Services for the Immediate Repair of the West Plant

Aeration Basin

Vendor Name HJ3 Composite Technologies

Purchasing Policy 107.3.9.8.3. Sole Source

Sole Source procurements are proprietary and used when only one vendor is able to provide commodities, contractual services, or construction services of adequate quality or quantity that meet City’s requirements, or when compatibility with existing systems requires procurement from a single source.

Note: A memo of explanation must be sent to the appropriate approval authority along with the requisition documentation being attached to the purchase order. The City Administrator must give approval for the Sole Source designation. The Sole

Source designation will expire each fiscal year after approval and may be renewed upon submission of a new request with documentation.

Submission ID: 65d31acd-8a5d-402e-a765-49c6d9ea591a Receipt ID: Not supplied Page 1/9 https://apopkafl.form.transform.civicplus.com/41496 https://apopkanet.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/City%20of%20Apopka/IQB2wecK0G1gRrTyTAJ1PbSxAe8VTlHj0NrCLikCRZjrN2Q https://apopkanet.sharepoint.com/City%20of%20Apopka/Agenda%20Documents/Finance%20Forms/Civic%20Plus%20Electronic%20Change%20Order%20-%20How%20to%20Enter%20a%20Request%20(User).pdf https://apopkanet.sharepoint.com/City%20of%20Apopka/Agenda%20Documents/Finance%20Forms/Civic%20Plus%20Electronic%20Change%20Order%20-%20How%20to%20Review%20(Reviewer).pdf https://apopkanet.sharepoint.com/City%20of%20Apopka/Agenda%20Documents/Finance%20Forms/Civic%20Plus%20Electronic%20Sole%20Source%20-%20How%20to%20Enter%20a%20Request%20(User).pdf https://apopkanet.sharepoint.com/City%20of%20Apopka/Agenda%20Documents/Finance%20Forms/Civic%20Plus%20Electronic%20Evaluated%20Source%20-%20How%20to%20Enter%20a%20Request%20(User).pdf https://apopkanet.sharepoint.com/City%20of%20Apopka/Agenda%20Documents/Finance%20Forms/Civic%20Plus%20Electronic%20Emergency%20Designation%20Request%20-%20How%20to%20Enter%20a%20Request%20(User).pdf https://apopkanet.sharepoint.com/City%20of%20Apopka/Agenda%20Documents/Finance%20Forms/Civic%20Plus%20Electronic%20Travel%20%26%20Training%20Authorization%20Request%20-%20How%20to%20Enter%20a%20Request%20(User).pdf

Sole Source designations above $50,000.00 must be approved by City Council and noticed per Section 287.057(3)(c), Florida Statutes.

Reference Procurement Policy 107.3 for more details.

Sole Source Procurement Details The manufacturer specifically states that the system components are designed, tested, and qualified as a complete system and are solely manufactured by HJ3 Composite

Technologies. The company further states that compatibility between layers, bond performance, chemical resistance, and long-term durability have been validated only when used together as a complete engineered assembly.

Because the repair system relies upon proprietary materials, manufacturer-controlled installation procedures, certified installer training, and proprietary quality-control requirements, no other vendor can provide an identical repair system or equivalent manufacturer-backed installation service.

Accordingly, HJ3 Composite Technologies is the only known source capable of furnishing the specified StrongHold™ Repair System and associated installation services.

Compatibility Details The City of Apopka Utilities Department has evaluated available repair alternatives for rehabilitation of deteriorated and leaking concrete wastewater structures. Following review of available technologies, staff determined that the HJ3 StrongHold™ Repair

System constitutes a proprietary engineered rehabilitation system that is manufactured, specified, installed, and quality-controlled exclusively by HJ3

Composite Technologies and its certified personnel.

Cost Details Equal or exceed $50k

Please provide Budget Details

(Include Account Numbers)

Estimated annual budget cost should not exceed $73,750 Under Budgetary Line:

(Repair & Maint- Bldg. and Equipment) 401-3191-535-4600

History Details None

Please describe history details This will be the first time using this vendor.

Staff Name Michael A Saylor

Staff Submittal Signature

Attachments Sole Source Request HJ3 Composite Technologies 06112026.docx

HJ3 Technical Overview HJ3 StrongHold (002).pdf

HJ3 Proposal - StrongHold™ City of Apopka - Wastewater Joint Repair 112125.pdf

StrongHold™ System Installation Training (1).pdf

Additional information.pdf

Submission ID: 65d31acd-8a5d-402e-a765-49c6d9ea591a Receipt ID: Not supplied Page 2/9 https://apopkanet.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/City%20of%20Apopka/EQz1Ni7JiSdOgMC4E9sgax0BNSPzWTTCqhVzTDjQhBPJ2w

Authorized Purchasers Approval Form

06/11/2026 11:35 AM (EDT)

Approved by Michael Saylor (msaylor@apopka.net)

Authorized Purchasers Approval Form

Name Michael A Saylor

Date of Approval 06/11/2026

Authorized Purchasers Approval

Signature

Submission ID: 65d31acd-8a5d-402e-a765-49c6d9ea591a Receipt ID: Not supplied Page 3/9

Director/Chief/Designee Approval Form

06/11/2026 11:38 AM (EDT)

Approved by Glen Brooks (gbrooks@apopka.net)

Director/Chief/Designee Approval Form

Name Glen Brooks

Date of Approval 06/11/2026

Director/Chief/Designee Approval

Signature

Submission ID: 65d31acd-8a5d-402e-a765-49c6d9ea591a Receipt ID: Not supplied Page 4/9

Purchasing Approval Form

07/01/2026 3:17 PM (EDT)

Approved by Wonkiasha Washington (wwashington@apopka.net)

Purchasing Approval Form

Name WONKIASHA L WASHINGTON

Purchasing Notes Authorized Sole Source attached City Council Date: 7/1/2026. Please see

Procurement Attachment of the Agenda Item. WW 7/1/2026

Purchasing Approval Attachments Authorize the issuance of a Sole Source Memo HJ3 _Item_Preview.pdf

Date of Approval 07/01/2026

Purchasing Approval Signature

Submission ID: 65d31acd-8a5d-402e-a765-49c6d9ea591a Receipt ID: Not supplied Page 5/9

Budget Approval Form

07/02/2026 8:23 AM (EDT)

Approved by Jessica Pugh (jpugh@apopka.net)

Budget Approval Form

Name Jessica Pugh

Budget Notes Budget Review not required.

Budget Approval Attachments Sole Source Memo - HJ3 Composite Technologies.pdf

Budget Approval Signature

Submission ID: 65d31acd-8a5d-402e-a765-49c6d9ea591a Receipt ID: Not supplied Page 6/9

Finance Director Approval Form

07/06/2026 11:28 AM (EDT)

Approved by Blanche Sherman (bsherman@apopka.net)

Finance Director Approval Form

Name Blanche W. Sherman

Date of Approval 07/06/2026

Approval Signature

Submission ID: 65d31acd-8a5d-402e-a765-49c6d9ea591a Receipt ID: Not supplied Page 7/9

City Administrator Form

07/07/2026 9:32 AM (EDT)

Approved by Radley Williams (rwilliams@apopka.net)

City Administrator Approval Form

City Administrator Approval

Signature

Name Radley Williams

Date of Approval 07/07/2026

Submission ID: 65d31acd-8a5d-402e-a765-49c6d9ea591a Receipt ID: Not supplied Page 8/9

Final Purchasing Completed Form

07/07/2026 10:29 AM (EDT)

Approved by Wonkiasha Washington (wwashington@apopka.net)

Final Purchasing Completed Form

Is this form completed? Yes

Submission ID: 65d31acd-8a5d-402e-a765-49c6d9ea591a Receipt ID: Not supplied Page 9/9

From: Jessica Pugh To: Glen Brooks; Marcelo Pitbladdo; Vladimir Simonovski Cc: Michael Saylor; Blanche Sherman; Wonkiasha Washington; Radley Williams; Nicholas Nesta Subject: RE: Sole Source Memo - HJ3 Composite Technologies Date: Friday, June 19, 2026 11:33:07 AM

Thank you, Marc.

This language is exactly what we were looking for. The entire email was well‑written, and the highlighted sections in particular clearly outlined the reasoning behind the repair method and vendor selection for a sole source designation. Your collaboration is greatly appreciated. Wonkiasha is updating the staff report to incorporate the supportive language and will submit it for the upcoming City Commission meeting on July 1, 2026.

Best regards, Jessica Pugh Purchasing Manager City of Apopka Phone: 407-703-1607

From: Glen Brooks <gbrooks@apopka.net> Sent: Friday, June 19, 2026 11:29 AM To: Marcelo Pitbladdo <MPitbladdo@apopka.net>; Jessica Pugh <jpugh@apopka.net>; Vladimir Simonovski <VSimonovski@Apopka.net> Cc: Michael Saylor <MSaylor@apopka.net>; Blanche Sherman <BSherman@Apopka.net>;

Wonkiasha Washington <WWashington@apopka.net>; Radley Williams <RWilliams@Apopka.net>;

Nicholas Nesta <NNesta@Apopka.net> Subject: RE: Sole Source Memo - HJ3 Composite Technologies

Good morning All, I appreciate everyone working together to get this done. It is time sensitive that we make this necessary repair to put the west plant online.

Thanks, Glen Brooks Utilities Operations Director City of Apopka 748 E. Cleveland Street Apopka, Fl 32704 Email: gbrooks@apopka.net Tel: 407-703-1731 Fax: 407-703-1748

From: Marcelo Pitbladdo <MPitbladdo@apopka.net> Sent: Friday, June 19, 2026 11:24 AM To: Jessica Pugh <jpugh@apopka.net>; Vladimir Simonovski <VSimonovski@Apopka.net>; Glen mailto:jpugh@apopka.net mailto:gbrooks@apopka.net mailto:MPitbladdo@apopka.net mailto:VSimonovski@Apopka.net mailto:MSaylor@apopka.net mailto:BSherman@apopka.net mailto:WWashington@apopka.net mailto:RWilliams@Apopka.net mailto:NNesta@apopka.net mailto:gbrooks@apopka.net mailto:MPitbladdo@apopka.net mailto:jpugh@apopka.net mailto:VSimonovski@Apopka.net

Brooks <gbrooks@apopka.net> Cc: Michael Saylor <MSaylor@apopka.net>; Blanche Sherman <BSherman@Apopka.net>;

Wonkiasha Washington <WWashington@apopka.net> Subject: RE: Sole Source Memo - HJ3 Composite Technologies

Jessica, I hope this answers your questions.

The City of Apopka has identified structural leakage occurring at a construction joint (seam) within an operating aeration basin at the wastewater treatment facility. The leaking joint is allowing wastewater to escape through the basin wall, creating the potential for continued structural deterioration, environmental compliance concerns, and increased maintenance requirements. HJ3 Composite Technologies is uniquely qualified to perform this repair because of its proprietary composite rehabilitation system specifically engineered for wastewater infrastructure. Unlike conventional concrete repair contractors, HJ3 specializes exclusively in structural rehabilitation of wastewater treatment facilities utilizing corrosion-resistant composite systems designed to permanently seal leaking joints while restoring structural integrity.

The City's WWTP operational requirements, the repair must withstand continuous immersion in municipal wastewater, resist biological and chemical corrosion caused by hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and other wastewater hazards, bond to deteriorated reinforced concrete under field conditions, restore both watertightness and structural capacity of the leaking construction joint, minimize shutdown time of the aeration basin to maintain wastewater treatment operations, and provide a long-term rehabilitation solution without requiring demolition, reconstruction, and excessive down time.

HJ3 utilizes proprietary composite materials, installation procedures, and engineering methods that are not commercially available through general concrete repair contractors.

Their repair system is specifically designed for wastewater treatment structures where conventional epoxy injection, cementitious patching, polyurethane grouting, or standard concrete repair methods have limited service life due to chemical attack, cyclic loading, and continuous moisture exposure.

Additionally, HJ3 provides engineering support, manufacturer-certified installation, and warranty coverage that are only available through the company and its authorized personnel.

No other vendor can provide the identical proprietary materials, installation methodology, engineering design criteria, or warranty associated with the HJ3 rehabilitation system.

Selection of an alternate contractor would require the City to utilize a different repair methodology that is equivalent under the operating conditions present within the City's aeration basin. Such an approach would introduce additional engineering uncertainty, mailto:gbrooks@apopka.net mailto:MSaylor@apopka.net mailto:BSherman@Apopka.net mailto:WWashington@apopka.net increase the potential for recurring leakage, and could result in future unplanned outages and additional repair costs.

Accordingly, HJ3 Composite Technologies represents the only known source capable of furnishing its proprietary composite rehabilitation system together with the specialized engineering, certified installation, and manufacturer-backed warranty necessary to provide a permanent repair of the leaking aeration basin seam.

I hope this explains why HJ3 was chosen. Please advise if his was adequate. Thank you.

Marc

From: Jessica Pugh <jpugh@apopka.net> Sent: Friday, June 19, 2026 10:42 AM To: Vladimir Simonovski <VSimonovski@Apopka.net>; Glen Brooks <gbrooks@apopka.net> Cc: Michael Saylor <MSaylor@apopka.net>; Marcelo Pitbladdo <MPitbladdo@apopka.net>; Blanche Sherman <BSherman@Apopka.net>; Wonkiasha Washington <WWashington@apopka.net> Subject: Sole Source Memo - HJ3 Composite Technologies Importance: High

Good Morning, We need your assistance in providing additional clarification on the following sole source memo submitted for the HJ3 system:

Sole Source procurements are proprietary and used when only one vendor is able to provide commodities, contractual services, or construction services of adequate quality or quantity that meet City’s requirements: HJ3 Composite Technologies is the sole source manufacturer and qualified provider of the proprietary Stronghold composite concrete repair and rehabilitation system. The StrongHold™ system is a patented, engineered repair technology specifically developed for structural concrete rehabilitation, leak mitigation, chemical protection, and long-term asset reinforcement in aggressive industrial and wastewater environments.

Compatibility with existing systems requires procurement from a single source: The concrete tank is the 2nd stage of the wastewater treatment. The tank has been emptied for several years due to wastewater leaking to ground. This tank is a backup to the newer system constructed approximately 7 years ago. The wastewater tank contains a cold joint that extends across the entire structure. The seal at this joint has failed, allowing water to leak beneath the structure slab and surface approximately 40 feet away. Staff ha evaluated various repair options for deteriorated and leaking concrete wastewater structures. Staff determined that HJ3 StrongHold Repair System is the most effective solution for repairing cold joints, preventing future leaks, and extending the service life of the tank.

Justification: Unlike generic or off-the-shelf Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) products, the HJ3 StrongHold™ system is engineered as a complete wet-on-wet compatible repair methodology that eliminates annular spaces between layers, repairs all leaks and prevents wastewater leaks to the ground. In addition, HJ3 offers a 15-year service life warranty. Procurement from a single source is necessary to maintain system compatibility, preserve manufacturer quality control requirements, and ensure the intended structural and chemical performance of the rehabilitation system.

Could you help us understand what specifically differentiates this system as a sole source compared to other available repair systems?

mailto:jpugh@apopka.net mailto:VSimonovski@Apopka.net mailto:gbrooks@apopka.net mailto:MSaylor@apopka.net mailto:MPitbladdo@apopka.net mailto:BSherman@Apopka.net mailto:WWashington@apopka.net

For example:

Is off‑the‑shelf fiber‑reinforced plastic less reliable or shorter‑lived?

Do alternative repair methods fail to eliminate annular spaces that are required to be addressed from an engineering standpoint?

Does the HJ3 system provide a longer service life or warranty not offered by other products?

Is it uniquely compatible with the cold joints in the structure?

Essentially, we are looking for the clear justification that demonstrates why this system is the only viable option for this repair—whether it relates to one of the examples above or another factor we may not be aware of.

If you’re available, we would appreciate a brief call today so we can finalize the staff report.

Thank you, we look forward to your guidance.

Best regards, Jessica Pugh Purchasing Manager

Phone: 407-703-1607

From: Randy Hudson To: Marcelo Pitbladdo Subject: Additional information Date: Friday, May 15, 2026 3:01:18 PM Attachments: StrongHold™ System Installation Training (1).pdf

HJ3 Technical Overview HJ3 StrongHold.pdf

CAUTION: This Email originated from a source outside the City of Apopka. Do not click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and you know the content is safe.

Hello Marc, I wanted to share some additional information to help with your process for repairs. I have attached our QC documentation and technical overview data.

HJ3 Composite Technologies is the sole source manufacturer and qualified provider of the proprietary StrongHold™ composite concrete repair and rehabilitation system. The StrongHold™ system is a patented, engineered repair technology specifically developed for structural concrete rehabilitation, leak mitigation, chemical protection, and long-term asset reinforcement in aggressive industrial and wastewater environments. The system consists of fully compatible proprietary components including StrongHold™ HT1 Primer, Surface Filler, Saturant, engineered reinforcement fabrics, and ChemSeal™ Novolac protective coatings, all designed, manufactured, and qualified as an integrated repair system by HJ3. The system has been tested and qualified in accordance with ACI 440.2R Appendix B requirements and incorporates ASTM qualification testing including ASTM D3039 tensile testing, ASTM D4541 bond adhesion testing, and ASTM C581 chemical immersion testing for long-term durability and compatibility in chemically aggressive environments. The information inside the Technical Overview is strong information when comparing this type of repair and service.

Unlike generic or off-the-shelf FRP products, the StrongHold™ system is engineered as a complete wet-on-wet compatible repair methodology that eliminates annular spaces between layers and creates a monolithic reinforced liner bonded directly to the substrate. The proprietary resin formulations allow extended recoat windows, continuous application sequencing, and compatibility between all system components without requiring third-party materials or field-modified mix ratios. The installation process requires strict adherence to HJ3-specific QA/QC procedures, environmental controls, surface preparation standards, saturation techniques, and installation methods established through HJ3’s proprietary training and technical documentation. These procedures include controlled environmental verification, moisture testing, surface profiling requirements, wet film thickness verification, saturation quality control, and system-specific installation sequencing.

The proposed repair scope was specifically developed around the capabilities and performance characteristics of the HJ3 StrongHold™ system and cannot be replicated using alternative products without redesign, requalification, and significant technical risk. The repair methodology, service life expectations, reinforcement design, chemical resistance performance, and installation requirements are all based on HJ3 proprietary engineering criteria and historical qualification data developed over more than 20 years of industrial mailto:rhudson@hj3.com mailto:MPitbladdo@apopka.net https://report.mimecastcybergraph.com/?magiclink=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.services.mimecast.com%2Foauth2%2Fauthorize%3Fresponse_type%3Dcode%26client_id%3Do20nRkVXf7VUVnANkXhoOwGytEwGN0YAlyeDJn7oBTGNl2kN%26state%3DeyJhbGciOiJSU0EtT0FFUC0yNTYiLCJlbmMiOiJBMjU2R0NNIn0.a8VHjZHdXtKHwarEGei-062Y-oocjV3wZ58LPBosrwCA4lZobGukyZyCJJahtR5_y7f5B4l2_fgKb4C8P3qizCB4FuRMoG6VUq2pWoMaK-42pJljMxSP-8CQ_7rrrrcBd14CXOvSlq_BkYQUo9Sij-eKAxZw4RHyr1KFlqlRZD1i-N8rqBZmXgVJvR_XrucWOA75J4G9yXxFT3XY0-NF60LyLcnkpecgT68zAA7OWqzAaIAS7Qon89_6niFydlQRFiUB081_EhCbtbXGUwsg3McMISgd8C5N4pwpiFE7jB7as-68M9_RjATaNh1ql-p6spnwVhMTAo4tUduMKKwyEg.EDcYaTzBAH4pNTdb.1_THrTfwbARDM8S6xkngCA00o3be3etJUjYr2TY9eaFU0P51glqFfuAO9fRy7LX2fmLUQWxfu0PNtPCM-BHj62rTbSgfaZjLQQH09PIm920caxKlm6sPde2kb7WZvHvT2BPGSfjvUc-p8-dTx8aZDCDU5ytwDVz2uJ37MYNyL6CXwCI8UAfgLrZLZrOLolA0A4raGxySqyB3enS2hHIClDbRTXC6i2HjdnSjOs0NgLp-YIYebgQYs4_dNRCgcssUo70g428zscGfF3au7e4LVuKbRzrTUftvykBnE6LMK4R0GRe_yHysC5gppu03LCGY3RR4YACj0eyIb6jRyB4mVUeCEA6_YR4mAOxg5O-vH4wxet9KOSYlpkfM7Zz8Usk317K3OG4YbFCmTiCY72QyNLsiy4OTOdm76vDlSqaGloPg4vDooegiRsN0jZ2x8uQPSatyPuaooRaH6KYnOmAjrOFKMvYA6CssNpbOQQotyFT4EV52q9k2LkuUpOpvjMZZShkiWE1KKPcziKeIumU508vmL5K-XrygQ4jlvNUw0UhL16sXdscn7z26bb1uIeJFaF08LLjTSqwDrMrEmUJU3tmuqpV9pKAsSAEFF7lGbAm5YfSea8jRX6YxTfQFRhD9l9xYWH0_S8CuuWoUP72_sVk0Q4YKbdlyMSUb3S55SMxu6Q9--Lg8gllfotzA_mk8enLXzkUbbz75z9vSwfkr6JFM5MGoBbXaA0srZCyRnsG2-KZBUppZrzCtZJni9lSDRjWCGjaop6Nxwc2_Sks.YJKfh7AMgJHZADCURs2zTw%26redirect_uri%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Freport.mimecastcybergraph.com%2Fcallback

Concrete Repair & Strengthening Systems a product by HJ3

StrongHold™ System Installation

Training

Material Storage and Handling

Polymer Mixing Station

Mixing and Applying Primer Coat and Filler

Saturating and Installing HJ3 Fabric

Inspection of Installation

Mixing and Application of Topcoat

Material Storage and Handling

Step 1 upon starting the project is the Material Storage and Handling

1. Packing Slip quantities have been verified with the delivered quantities. Notify HJ3 if the quantities differ or if any product has been damaged during shipping.

2. Organize the product by item code.

Keep all kits together in their bags to keep mixing easy.

3. Store the material in a dry location and out of direct location, in an environment that is between 50° and 95°.

4. Do not stack the cartons of fabric more than 3 high in order to avoid crushing.

5. Fabric can be measured and precut, as long as it is stored rolled up in the bags it came shipped in.

Polymer Mixing Station Follow the Technical Data Sheets (TDS).

1. It is recommended to set up the Mixing Station per the diagram shown below.

2. Cover the ground and surrounding walls with plastic for protection. Place cardboard (the shipping boxes can be used by flattening and taping together so there is no slip/trip possibility).

3. Protect the area with a tarp or a collapsible shade to protect the area against sunlight, moisture and contaminants.

4. Bring out your product and store by product code.

5. Ensure adequate ventilation.

6. Have a trash can with extra trash bags set up.

7. Set up a table covered with plastic which has all supplies including; timer, scissors, acetone, gloves, rags, mixing sticks, etc.

Daily Environmentals

1. Prior to mixing any product Daily Environmental requirements must be met. If the weather changes during a shift, the Environmental’s need to be retaken.

2. Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Stations (can be ordered online) will gather all of the information needed except for the surface temp, which will require a separate tool (can be picked up at any hardware store). Additionally, the Surface Moisture must be <5% and is measured with the Tramex Moisture Meter.

3. Take readings from three different locations and take the average.

4. The Dew Point subtracted from the Surface Temp must be greater than 5℉ in order to proceed to priming and any other step, each day.

Mix Logs

1. Best practices is to track the mixing in the mix logs. See the form below.

2. Identify the material you are mixing, enter the lot # of A/B, the time you are starting to mix, the Batch size, typically 96 oz or 3 gallons, then how long you mix the product for.

3. All products are to be mixed for 3 minutes minimum.

4. For Surface/Layer/Weave Filler, premix the the Part A for 3 minutes before adding the

Part B.

a product by HJ3Priming

1. Factory mix ratios are not modified in the field. Utilize all product from each container.

2. Best practices include taping off the area to be primed 1” away from where the fiber is to be installed. Remove the tape after priming.

3. Use 3/8” shed free naps on paint rollers. The image shown below is one of the ones easily obtained at hardware stores and is recommended. Use paint trays to spread out the product after mixing.

4. If shed free naps cannot be obtained, use paint tape on to remove as much as possible before use.

The product will pull the nap off and leave on the surface.

5. In cold weather, warm up so the product mixes and spreads easier.

6. In hot weather, cool down in vehicles to keep the product from kicking off too quickly.

7. For those installing, we recommend wearing Tyvek suits and wearing double nitrile gloves (so if one pair tear, your hands are still protected) replace as needed.

8. When applying, roll in one direction only, don’t backroll (like when painting a house) unless you have applied too much product and it is dripping down the surface.

9. Use Wet Film Thickness Gauges to ensure a minimum of 10 mils of primer has been applied to the concrete surface.

10. Use chip brushes to ensure corners and voids such as bug holes are properly filled.

11. NOTE: Fresh concrete may absorb more primer than established concrete. Continue to apply until the surface is shiny.

Priming

Mixing and Applying Surface Filler

2. Mixing Surface Filler will require a mortar mixer or a spade drill with a mortar mixing bit.

3. It is easiest to be seated while mixing filler.

4. The bucket will need to be braced by the mixer’s feet at the bottom during mixing.

5. The Part A bucket will need to be pre-mixed for 3 minutes before adding Part B. Do not grind the mixing blade against the sides of the bucket, but gently glide along all sides and the bottom to ensure thorough mixing, use extra thick mixing sticks (yard sticks work well) or tape double/triple regular mixing sticks together.

6. After pre-mixing, use a mixing stick to remove all product from Part B bucket into Part A. Mix thoroughly for at least 3 minutes. There should be no white globules left. Mix longer as needed.

7. Install Surface Filler using wide plastic putty knives. Metal trowels can be used as well, but the flexibility of the putty knives can fit in the buckets better. If metal trowels are used, the product can be allowed to cure and then knocked off to be reused.

8. Spread the product on the surface to fill all surface defects and to a uniform thickness as shown on the shop drawings, typically 20-30 mils.

9. Ensure the product is as smooth as possible as once the product cures, ridges will be sharp and may need to be sanded down.

10. If concrete wasn’t used to create chamfers at 90° angles, use the Surface Filler to create 45° angle chamfers at least ½” in width. All exterior corners should have been rounded or chamfered for 45°.

Mixing and Applying Thickener

Installing Thickener

Manual Saturating Station

1. It is recommended to set up the Manual Saturating Station per the diagram shown below.

2. Cover the ground and surrounding walls with plastic for protection. Place cardboard (the shipping boxes can be used by flattening and taping together so there is no slip/trip possibility).

3. Protect the area with a tarp or a collapsible shade to protect the area against sunlight, moisture and contaminants.

4. Bring out your product and store by product code.

5. Ensure adequate ventilation.

6. Have a trash can with extra trash bags set up.

7. Set up a table covered with plastic which has all supplies including; timer, scissors, acetone, gloves, rags, mixing sticks, etc. Separate from what is shown below.

8. For the tables wrapped in plastic, it is recommended to lay down several layers, using clamps. Before breaks, you can remove each layer without breaking down the system.

Have multiple 2.5’-3’ lengths of 2” PVC pipes to wrap the saturated fiber on to ease placement.

Saturating Fiber

1. Glass fiber is shown on this page, Carbon fiber is shown on the following page.

2. Use gloves while mixing and applying.

3. To begin, pour a quantity of saturant on the area set up for saturating and spread over the area.

4. Place the fiber on top of the saturant.

5. Pour additional saturant on top of the fiber.

6. Use a plastic trowel/putty knife to spread and press the saturant into the fiber. A 3/8” lint free roller nap with saturant poured into a tray can also be used to spread the saturant out. Once fully saturated on one side, turn the fiber over and repeat until the fiber is fully saturated.

7. Multiple pieces of fiber can be stacked on top of each other and continue saturating additional pieces.

8. Use the PVC cores once the fiber is saturated to roll the fiber evenly onto. If applying the fiber at the corner of a wall, the fiber will need to be rolled at the edge of the core.

9. All threads in the fiber must be saturated. Look at the fiber from different directions to verify the saturant has completely covered and saturated the fiber.

Manual Saturating Station

Application of Fiber

1. After fiber has been fully saturated, it can be rolled up on the PVC cores or folded up to be placed on the concrete surface.

2. Line up the fiber and press up onto the the Surface Filler which was applied previously.

Ensure the surface filler is still fresh. Do not install the Surface Filler if fiber is not to be installed immediately.

3. Plastic putty knives can be used to gently smooth out bubbles, in the direction of the fibers. Fiber should be installed in straight lines, care should be taken to ensure it’s not installed out of plane or in wavy lines.

4. Follow instructions for any adjacent fiber overlaps.

5. If long strips have to be installed and the fiber has to be spliced, the distance to be covered needs to be 6” overlap at all spliced locations.

6. Continue placing fiber over fresh surface filler to match repair dimensions.

Carbon Fiber Wall Installation Smooth out bubbles, ensure it is installed straight, either vertically or horizontally

Glass Fiber Trench Installation Shown with a 3” overlap. Note the chamfer made with Surface Filler at the bottom of the trench (thick line of white at the base of the wall). No PVC cores were used due to short amount of fiber being used.

Inspection of HJ3 Installation

1. Carbon/Glass Fiber installations is an exothermic reaction meaning that the exhausting heat can generate bubbles, forcing the fiber away from the concrete surface. This can be partially avoided by monitoring at the end of day by inspecting and pressing the forming bubbles out or using the edge of a plastic trowel to carefully separate the fibers at one location, pressing the air out and then pressing the fiber back into place.

2. Each day following the installation of the fiber, the first step should be the inspection of the fiber.

3. Using a Ball Peen hammer, gently drag the hammer surface over the entire surface of the installed surface. DO NOT TAP THE FIBER. Use a white paint pen on Carbon Fiber and sharpies on Glass Fiber to tightly circle the identified circles.

4. Use a tape measure to identify the size of the bubble.

5. If the bubble is <2”, no repairs are necessary.

6. If the bubble is 2”>5”, you will need to drill two holes in the top of the bubble. Fill a condiment container (available at most stores) with saturant and fill the bubble from one hole until the saturant comes out of the other hole.

7. Use filler to cover the drilled holes. Smooth the surfaces.

8. If the bubble is <5”, you will need to cut out and repair. Cut the fiber of the bubble out, ensuring you smooth the edges. If the fiber was installed less than 5 days, use acetone and wipe the surfaces over 6” in a squared off area on all sides. If the fiber had been installed over 5 days, scuff all existing fiber over 6” in a squared off area on all sides.

Use fresh Surface Filler, and extend a minimum of 6” in a squared off area on all sides and install a new pieces of Carbon/Glass Fiber to match surrounding fiber.

9. Number each of the defects to make it easier to identify to crew members what repair is necessary.

10. Continue the fiber installation as normal.

Overall area of bubbles.

<2”, no repair necessary

2”>5” drill and fill

<5” cut out and replace the fiber

Layer Filler/Weave Filler

1. Follow mixing instructions from Surface Filler.

2. If installing multiple layers of fiber, use Layer Filler between the layers.

3. Use the plastic trowel/putty knife to evenly spread the designated amount, typically 20-

30 mils, covering the entire surface of the installed fiber, ensuring a smooth transition at the edge of the fiber to the adjacent fiber or edge of the concrete surface.

4. After all layers have been installed, if identified on the drawings, install Weave Filler per the designated amount, typically 20-30 mils. Ensure a smooth surface with no ridges and a smooth transition at all edges of the fiber to the concrete surfaces.

2. Best practices include taping off the area to be coated 1” away from where the fiber is to be installed. Ensure it is tight on the primed surface. Remove the tape after coating.

3. Use 1/4” shed free naps on paint rollers. The image shown below is one of the ones easily obtained at hardware stores and is recommended. Use paint trays to spread out the product after mixing.

4. If shed free naps cannot be obtained, use paint tape on to remove as much as possible before use. The product will pull the nap off and leave on the finished surface.

5. In cold weather, warm up so the product mixes and spreads easier.

6. In hot weather, cool down in vehicles to keep the product from kicking off too quickly.

7. When applying, roll in one direction only, don’t backroll (like when painting a house) unless you have applied too much product and it is dripping down the surface.

8. Use Wet Film Thickness Gauges to ensure a minimum of 10 mils of Topcoat has been applied to the concrete surface. If more than 10 mils has been specified, wait until the surfaces has reached thumbprint tacky, then apply an additional 10 mils, repeat the cycle until the full total mil thickness has been reached.

9. Use chip brushes to ensure corners and tight edges are fully covered.

Glass Fiber Trench Installation The Wet Film Thickness Gauge shows 14 mils.

HJ3 StrongHold™ System for Concrete Repairs Technical Overview

Prepared By:

HJ3 Composite Technologies 2440 W Majestic Park Way Tucson, AZ 85705 Tel: (520) 322-0010 Email: info@hj3.com

May 14th, 2026

CONFIDENTIAL

Table of Contents

Overview This document is a technical overview of the StrongHold Repair System that was designed for concrete rehabilitation applications.

Repair System Requirements

• Qualification Testing

• Concrete Surface Preparation

Requirements

• Qualified Repair System

• No Annular Space Between Layers

• Wet on Wet components & compatibility

• Long Recoat Times

Technical Expertise in Concrete Floor Protection

• ISO 9001

• Experience with Concrete Repair &

• Same Source Manufacturer

• Same Day Shipments

• Reduced Layers

• Productivity

• Station Work

• HJ3 Saturator™: Quality & Speed

• StrongHold Primer™

• StrongHold Filler™

• StrongHold Saturant™

• StrongHold Fabric™

Quality Control & Quality Assurance (QA/QC)

• On-site Support

• QA/QC Program for Concrete floor

Rehabilitation

• Construction Drawings

Table 1.1 StrongHold™ Repair System and Criteria HJ3’s StrongHold™ System

Minimal weight change upon exposure to harsh chemicals (refer to SDS datasheet)

0 to 1.5% weight change in Reactor chemicals per ASTM C581 Immersion Testing

High strength Reinforced Liner StrongHold™ HT1 Repair System StrongHold™ HT1 Primer (STR-200-HT1) @ 10 mils StrongHold™ HT1 Surface Filler (STR-350-HT1) @ 30 mils StrongHold™ HT1 Saturant (STR-400-HT1) @ 40 SF/gal StrongHold™ HT1 Glass Fabric (STR-527-GF) @ 1 layer StrongHold™ HT1 Weave Filler (STR-350-HT1) @ 20 mils ChemSeal™ Novolac Epoxy Topcoat (CMS-601) @ 40 mils Total Liner Thickness = 140 mils

Structural Glass Layer:

1,975 ksi Tensile Modulus 0.041-inches per ply Cross-sectional Stiffness (E X A) = 80,975 psi Qualified to ASTM D3039 Tensile Properties and ALL required tests required by the American Concrete Institute (ACI 440.2R Appendix B)

High elongation so the coating can tolerate thermal cycling

1.84% Reinforced Liner

Ease of application See “Repair System Requirements” Surface preparation requirement See “Concrete Surface Preparation Requirements” Expected Service Life 20 years as part of an engineered design approach

This document is a technical brief on HJ3’s StrongHold Repair System which has been used successfully in lining protection for the last 20 years.

Why Traditional Coatings Fail Traditional coatings are typically less than 60 mils (1.5-mm) thick. These types of products are inferior to the StrongHold™ Reinforced Liner and are likely to fail due to the following:

1. Improper Surface Preparation

• Lack of Cleaning: Residual dirt, oil, or grease can prevent proper adhesion.

• Insufficient Profiling: Failure to create an adequate surface roughness or anchor profile reduces mechanical adhesion.

• Contaminants: Salt deposits or other contaminants can cause blistering or adhesion failure.

The StrongHold™ Reinforced Liner is applied by Certified Installers that are trained by HJ3 to reach the critical QC Milestones for Surface Preparation.

2. Poor Application Practices

• Incorrect Thickness: Too thin a layer may not provide adequate protection, while too thick can lead to cracking or sagging.

• Environmental Conditions: Applying coatings in unsuitable conditions (e.g., high humidity, extreme temperatures) can prevent proper curing and adhesion.

• Inadequate Mixing: Inconsistent mixing of components (e.g., resin and hardener in epoxies) leads to weak or improperly cured coatings.

to correctly: 1) apply the specified products according to the design drawings, 2) maintain environmental conditions suitable for installation, and 3) ensure proper mixing of the system components

3. Substrate Issues

• Substrate Movement: Thermal expansion or mechanical stresses can cause coatings to crack or delaminate. Unreinforced coatings do not have the strength to resist movement.

• Corrosion: If the coating is not properly bonded, underlying corrosion can spread and lift the coating.

The StrongHold™ Reinforced Liner is Qualified to ACI 440.2R “External Strengthening of Concrete” for tensile strength and adhesion.

4. Environmental Exposure

• UV Degradation: Prolonged exposure to sunlight can break down the coating, causing chalking, fading, or brittleness.

• Chemical Attack: Harsh chemicals can penetrate or degrade certain coatings, particularly if the coating is incompatible with the environment.

• Moisture Penetration: Water ingress through pinholes or defects can lead to surface corrosion or osmotic blistering.

The StrongHold™ Reinforced Liner has been tested for 20,000 hours in Ultra-Violet (UV) and retained 95% of its strength. In addition, the system was designed by Professional Engineers specializing in chemical compatibility and FRP design.

5. Mechanical Damage

• Impact or Abrasion: Physical forces can chip or wear away the coating.

• Vibration or Flexing: Repeated stresses can cause cracking or delamination.

The StrongHold™ Reinforced Liner has been tested per ASTM 4065 Taber Abrasion using a CS-17 Wheel (highest level) weighing 1,000 grams. After 1,000 cycles the StrongHold™ Reinforced Liner had only 10 mg of loss.

6. Incompatible Materials

• Coating Layers: Applying incompatible primers, topcoats, or intermediate layers can result in adhesion loss or chemical reactions.

• Substrate Compatibility: Some coatings are unsuitable for specific substrates, leading to early failure.

The StrongHold™ Reinforced Liner is solely manufactured by HJ3 Composite Technologies and has been tested as a system with over 20 years of case history.

7. Improper Curing

• Incomplete Curing: Coatings not fully cured are weaker and prone to failure.

• Curing Environment: Inappropriate curing conditions, such as temperature or humidity, can compromise the coating’s performance.

The StrongHold™ Reinforced Liner is installed by Certified Installers and is field verified using calibrated instruments to ensure a Full Cure has been reached.

8. Design or Maintenance Issues

• Sharp Edges: Sharp edges are harder to coat evenly, making them prone to failure.

• Neglected Maintenance: Over time, all traditional protective coatings degrade. Failure to inspect and maintain can allow small issues to worsen.

The StrongHold™ Reinforced Liner is inspectable and the post-installation QA/QC is part of HJ3’s Certified Installer Program. All sharp edges are required to be removed before application.

Qualification Testing Long-term performance depends on the material properties verified through testing. ACI 440.2R “Guide for the Design and Construction of Externally Bonded FRP Systems for Strengthening Concrete Structures” provides guidance on the qualification testing required to properly use in repair designs. This testing includes the following:

• Material Property testing for tensile, lap shear, shear modulus, temperature resistance, hardness, compressive strength, and thermal expansion - see “Qualified Repair System”

• Perform long-term durability testing 20,000 hours in aggressive environments to validate the Repair System retains at least 90% retention of tensile strength and bond-adhesion after testing.

• Perform immersion testing ASTM C581 to confirm compatibility with +300 industrial chemicals.

HJ3’s StrongHold Repair System has met all the qualifications for material and performance tests required.

Concrete Surface Preparation Requirements SSPC-SP-13/NACE#6 “Concrete Surface Prep” is recommended for addressing concrete damage and repair. The Reactor contents has likely soaked sub-surface and will require cleaning of nitrate salts before applying the StrongHold System. This will ensure soluble salts are less than 10 micrograms/cm2 prior to applying the StrongHold Repair System. Careful selection of concrete repair products is key to ensure full hydration prior to priming.

Qualified Repair System The repair system shall be tested with all components. Off the shelf components are not permitted unless tested with the Repair System. HJ3’s StrongHold Repair System has been Qualified according to ACI 440.2R Appendix B. See Table B1.1 below:

Structural Fibers HJ3 utilizes structural grade fibers that are designed for long-term performance. HJ3’s carbon fabric is a proprietary bi-axial carbon designed for high strength and does not degrade in aggressive chemistry.

No Annular Space Between Layers The Repair System shall have a tack coat paste that will provide intimate contact to the concrete and between layers. This prevents annular space that contributes to inadequate adhesion to surface and in between layers.

Wet on Wet components & compatibility HJ3’s StrongHold Repair System is based on the same resin formulation which allows for continuous application without having to wait in between components e.g. (primer, paste, saturant, & fabric). This leads to reduced application times and labor costs.

Long Recoat Times HJ3’s StrongHold Repair System has a 5-day re-coat window which allows for flexibility in the schedule without reducing quality. Other resin systems typically have 12-to-24-hour maximum re-coat times which will require additional surface preparation to achieve bond adhesion between layers. This testing has been performed according to ASTM D4541 “Direct Adhesion Pull-off Strength”.

State of the Art Novolac Epoxy Coating HJ3’s ChemSeal™ Novolac Epoxy is glass flake filled and designed for a robust ambient cure without the use of post-curing. The Novolac Epoxy is based on a premium blend of phenol polymers designed to protect against a wide range of pH for acids and caustics. HJ3’s proprietary formulation ensures a permeation free coating when following HJ3’s QA/QC program.

Technical Expertise in Concrete Floor…