ITB Brine Machine, Salt Supply, and Tank

The City of Fort Worth's Transportation & Public Works Department is seeking a one-time procurement for a comprehensive brine machine system, including a specialized machine, salt supply, and storage tank through Invitation to Bid (ITB) Reference Number 26-0056. The brine machine must be capable of continuously producing approximately 6,000 gallons per hour with 100% automated brine production, featuring a stainless steel storage tank with integrated forklift pockets and comprehensive diagnostic capabilities. The required salt supply must meet Texas Department of Transportation Winter Weather Materials Special Specifications, with two acceptable types: Type I Road Salt and Type II Brine Salt, both requiring a minimum of 94.5% chlorides by weight and strict particle size specifications. All submissions must be electronically submitted through the Bonfire Portal prior to the January 15, 2026 close date, with the City reserving the right to award to a single or multiple vendors based on the most advantageous terms. The procurement is federally funded through Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) allocations in response to Winter Storm Uri.

The solicitation allows for potential local vendor preference, with Fort Worth-based businesses eligible for contract consideration if their bid is within 3-5 percent of the lowest submitted bid, contingent on meeting specific local business qualification criteria. Vendors must demonstrate their principal place of business is within Fort Worth city limits, with over 50% of gross sales originating from the local office. Cooperative purchasing provisions enable other governmental entities with interlocal agreements to potentially utilize the resulting contract under identical terms and pricing. Successful bidders must register for direct deposit payments, submit electronic invoices, and comply with comprehensive insurance requirements, including $1,000,000 in commercial general liability and auto liability coverage. While no specific contract value is explicitly stated, vendors must provide firm pricing in U.S. dollars with all associated costs included, and the initial contract term is one year with potential automatic renewals for up to four additional one-year periods.