Bulk Rock Salt

The City of Pittsburgh's Office of Management & Budget is soliciting bids for Invitation for Bid (IFB) #2022-IFB-239 for Bulk Rock Salt, specifically requesting blue-colored rock salt uniformly coated with Magnesium Chloride or an equivalent ice-melting solution effective to minus twenty degrees Fahrenheit. The procurement covers a contract period from November 1, 2022, through October 31, 2024, with potential two one-year renewal options. The City guarantees a minimum annual quantity of 25,000 tons and a maximum of 75,000 tons, with a minimum individual order requirement of 22 tons per truckload. Bids must be submitted electronically by October 31, 2022, at 2:00 pm, with bid opening scheduled for 3:00 pm the same day. Delivery locations include multiple City of Pittsburgh divisions and a county facility in Blawnox, PA, with all shipping and delivery costs to be included in the bid pricing. The pricing proposal requires bidders to quote a unit cost per ton, specify the salt color, and include all associated delivery expenses. Bidders must ensure salt deliveries are protected with waterproof covering and are subject to potential shipment rejection if not properly protected.

The solicitation emphasizes significant equal opportunity participation goals, including 18% for minority-owned businesses, 7% for women-owned businesses, and 5% for veteran-owned small businesses. These set-aside designations create specific requirements for vendor participation and diversity in the bidding process. While no incumbent vendors are explicitly mentioned, the procurement spans jurisdictions including Allegheny County and Philadelphia City, suggesting a potentially broad geographic scope. The bid does not specify a precise budget range, but the volume commitment of 25,000 to 75,000 tons annually indicates a substantial procurement opportunity. Vendors must demonstrate capability to meet the technical specifications, including the color-tinting requirement and the ability to provide salt effective at extremely low temperatures. The comprehensive bid requirements suggest the City is seeking a reliable, responsive vendor capable of meeting stringent delivery and performance standards while promoting diverse business participation.