Furnish and Delivery of Liquid Emulsion Polymer at Freedom Wastewater Treatment Plant - SBR Procurement

The Maryland Environmental Service (MES) is conducting a Small Business Reserve (SBR) procurement for the furnish and delivery of liquid emulsion polymer at the Freedom Wastewater Treatment Plant located in Carroll County, Maryland (Project ID 1-26-2-64-5). The procurement seeks conditioning and emulsion polymer chemicals for biosolids dewatering operations, with an estimated annual requirement of approximately 32,200 pounds per year over a five-year contract period consisting of one base year and four optional one-year renewal periods. Bidders must demonstrate prior experience supplying solids conditioning polymers to municipal wastewater treatment plants for periods exceeding one year and provide technical data, safety data sheets, active polymer content, bulk density information, and environmental product declarations where available. Critical evaluation requirements include mandatory jar testing to be completed by June 8, 2026 at 1:00 PM and full-scale dewatering performance trials prior to June 4, 2026 at 1:00 PM, with bidders required to demonstrate that their polymer produces a dewatered sludge cake with a minimum total solids content of 19% by weight during a four-hour centrifuge trial. Electronic bids must be submitted through the MES Procurement Portal (Bonfire) by June 15, 2026 at 1:00 PM, with award based on the lowest total annual polymer cost for all five years of operation from a responsible bidder whose polymer performs successfully. Delivery requirements specify one tote (approximately 250 gallons) every three weeks, with suppliers responsible for all delivery costs, permits, tank trucks, licensed drivers, and compliance with State and County health department regulations; polymer must be delivered within 72 hours of notice during regular business hours (8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays), F.O.B. destination.

This procurement is designated as a Small Business Reserve (SBR) procurement, limiting award eligibility exclusively to certified small business vendors meeting statutory requirements under Maryland State Finance and Procurement Article sections 14-501 through 14-505. While no Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) subcontract participation goal has been established, the State encourages minority business enterprise and Maryland firm participation. No incumbent vendor information or current contractor details are disclosed in the available procurement documents. Bidders must submit unit prices per pound of polymer for the base year and each of four option years, with compensation calculated based on actual polymer delivered multiplied by the unit price; no additional charges such as tank rental or energy surcharges are permitted, and no bonding requirements apply to this project. All bidders must submit required affidavits and certifications regarding nondiscrimination, MBE compliance, debarment status, conflict of interest, tax payment, bribery convictions, and investments in Iran, with the winning contractor required to submit an Affirmative Action Plan for acceptance by MES prior to contract award. The contract is non-exclusive, permitting MES to employ other contractors during the contract term. No specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the procurement documents; however, the total contract value will be determined by multiplying the unit prices submitted by bidders by the estimated annual quantity of 32,200 pounds and summing the base year plus four optional one-year periods.