Cooperative Purchase of Road Deicing Salt

Montgomery County, Maryland is leading a cooperative Invitation for Bids (IFB #1180960) on behalf of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Purchasing Group to procure road deicing salt for multiple jurisdictions. The solicitation seeks rock salt or solar salt for four distinct geographic zones: Suburban Maryland, Suburban Virginia, Suburban Washington DC, and Southern Maryland. Bidders may submit proposals for one or multiple zones, with contracts to be awarded to primary and secondary lowest responsive bidders for each zone. The bid is scheduled to open on September 26, 2025, at 11:00 AM, with an anticipated contract term of one year and potential for three additional one-year renewals. The rock salt must conform to A.S.T.M. Specification D632-12 (2020) for Type I, Grade 1 sodium chloride and include an anti-cracking agent. The cooperative purchase potential spans approximately 131,462 tons, with estimated annual quantities ranging from 262 to 60,000 tons across participating jurisdictions. Pricing will be determined by unit prices for both pick-up and delivered salt, with specific delivery locations and hours defined for each jurisdiction.

The solicitation includes provisions for minority business participation, local business preferences, and various compliance requirements such as wage standards and insurance specifications. While no specific set-aside designations are explicitly mentioned, the procurement appears open to qualified vendors who can meet technical specifications and compliance criteria. Annual price adjustments will be permitted based on the Producer Price Index, providing flexibility for contractors. Montgomery County will directly execute the contract for Zone 001, while other zones will be responsible for awarding contracts to their selected primary and secondary contractors. Though specific budget ranges are not detailed, the total cooperative purchase potential of 131,462 tons suggests a significant economic opportunity for vendors. The procurement emphasizes competitive bidding and aims to establish a comprehensive salt supply network for government entities across multiple jurisdictions in the Washington metropolitan area.