Gas, carbon dioxide, food grade, purchase of, term contract

Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners issued Invitation for Bid (IFB) #21-032/CC on January 28, 2021, to establish a term contract for the purchase and delivery of food-grade liquefied compressed carbon dioxide gas for use in lime softening processes at three water treatment plants. The solicitation required a single vendor to supply an estimated 1,440,000 pounds over a 12-month period, distributed across Water Treatment Plant #2 (90,000 lbs), Water Treatment Plant #8 (150,000 lbs), and Water Treatment Plant #11 in Belle Glade (1,200,000 lbs). Bids were due by March 11, 2021, at 4:00 p.m., submitted in sealed envelopes to the Purchasing Department. The successful bidder must provide fixed unit pricing per pound with all-inclusive costs covering labor, supervision, equipment, transportation, fuel, and related services, delivered F.O.B. destination within seven calendar days of a delivery order, and the product must comply with AWWA Standard B510-06 or the latest version. The award will be made on an all-or-none, lowest responsive and responsible bidder basis, with the successful vendor receiving an initial 12-month term plus four optional 12-month renewal periods, contingent upon mutual written agreement and appropriation of funds. Required qualifications include evidence of Commercial General Liability Insurance ($500,000 minimum), Business Auto Liability Insurance ($500,000 minimum), and Workers' Compensation Insurance in accordance with Florida Statute Chapter 440, with Palm Beach County named as an additional insured.

Palm Beach County does not offer set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises or small, minority, or women-owned businesses; however, bidders with a permanent place of business in Palm Beach County or the Glades may qualify for a 5% local preference, and drug-free workplace certification may provide an advantage in case of tied bids. Any S/M/WBE participation must be documented through required schedules, though such participation is not a mandatory requirement for bid evaluation. No incumbent vendors or current contractors were identified in the solicitation documents. No specific award value or budget range was disclosed in the contract opportunity posting, as pricing was to be determined through the competitive bidding process based on the estimated quantities and evaluation of responsive bids.