Fuel: Gasoline and Diesel (Co-op)

Pinellas County and several participating agencies in Florida are conducting a cooperative procurement for fuel supply and delivery through Invitation to Bid (ITB) #25-0541-ITB. The solicitation seeks a three-year contract for supplying petroleum fuels to multiple local government entities, including cities of Dunedin, Gulfport, Oldsmar, Pinellas Park, St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor Fire and Rescue, St. Petersburg College, and Tampa Bay Water. The fuel requirements include 21.7 million gallons of Regular Unleaded Gasoline (87 Octane), 14.5 million gallons of Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel, and 1 million gallons of Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel (Red Dyed). Pricing will be structured as a fixed fee markup per gallon added to the average base price published by Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) for the Port of Tampa, with potential annual adjustments limited to the Consumer Price Index or 3%. Key bid dates include a question deadline of August 8, 2025, and proposal submission deadline of August 21, 2025 at 3:00 pm, with an initial contract term of 36 months and potential 24-month extensions. Contractors must demonstrate capability to deliver fuel via tankwagon and transport methods, maintain fuel port agreements in Florida, and provide comprehensive delivery documentation.

The solicitation does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Contractors must complete a Human Trafficking Affidavit complying with Florida Statutes section 787.06(13), certifying they do not use coercion for labor or services. The cooperative procurement allows for potential contract extensions and requires contractors to maintain specific insurance coverages and emergency fuel delivery capabilities. While no incumbent vendors are mentioned, the bid includes detailed requirements for transport and tankwagon delivery capacities, minimum delivery quantities, and emergency planning capabilities. The total estimated fuel procurement value across the three-year contract period approaches approximately $50-60 million, based on current fuel pricing and the substantial volume of 37.2 million gallons of various fuel types. Participating agencies will utilize a collaborative purchasing approach to potentially achieve more competitive pricing and streamline procurement processes across multiple local government and public service organizations in the Pinellas County region.