Dust suppressant application w/cargill dust off or equal

The County of Solano's Department of Resource Management, Public Works Division is issuing an Invitation for Bids (IFB) to establish a firm-fixed-price contract for the supply, delivery, and application of dust suppressant to graveled and unimproved roads throughout the county. The procurement seeks qualified contractors to provide approximately 94,000 gallons of Cargill Dust-Off (magnesium chloride) or an approved equal product with a minimum concentration of 30 to 32 percent, applied across multiple road segments organized into four geographic zones spanning from May 7 through May 22, 2026. Bidders must supply all labor, equipment, and materials necessary for application, with prices quoted on a per-gallon delivered and applied basis at a uniform rate of $0.50 per gallon, resulting in a total project cost of approximately $46,685.50. The County will evaluate bids based on the lowest responsive and responsible bidder criteria, reserving the right to award a one-year contract renewable for two additional one-year terms without competitive rebidding, contingent upon contractor performance and continued funding. Key deadlines include a question submission deadline of March 23, 2026, with responses due March 26, 2026, and proposal submissions due no later than April 17, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., with contractor selection scheduled for April 20, 2026. Bidders must submit detailed product specifications, complete literature, descriptions of trucks and dispensing apparatus, proof of SB 854 prevailing wage compliance, non-collusion declarations, and various certifications including drug-free workplace compliance and debarment status, with all submissions required electronically through the County's OpenGov eProcurement Portal. The contract period shall be within eighteen calendar days from the project start date or until project completion, with the County reserving the right to periodically test material concentrations using a Refractometer and refuse any material not meeting specifications.

The County has established a local vendor preference policy that allows qualified local businesses within five percent of the lowest responsible bid an opportunity to match that bid, though no specific set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises are noted in the solicitation documents. Bidders are permitted to submit up to two bids—one base bid and one alternate—enabling them to propose alternative environmentally sensitive or "Green" dust suppressant products if deemed equal to the specified Cargill product in terms of quality, quantity, performance, cost, safety, and other attributes in the County's best interest. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available documentation. The County's procurement incorporates standard terms and conditions requiring vendors to maintain appropriate insurance coverage including Workers' Compensation and Commercial General Liability, comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, indemnify the County against claims arising from vendor negligence, and submit Material Safety Data Sheets for hazardous materials as applicable. The overall project budget of approximately $46,685.50 is based on the fixed pricing of $0.50 per gallon across all 93,371 gallons of dust suppressant scheduled for application across 24 to 28 distinct road segments, with daily application volumes ranging from approximately 12,972 to 19,810 gallons depending on road length and width specifications.