ITB - Solid Sodium Chloride for Winter Maintenance

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is seeking one or two suppliers for solid sodium chloride (road salt) for winter maintenance through an Invitation to Bid (ITB) #S-73000-00014879. The procurement is divided into two service areas: West (Regions 1, 2, and 3) and East (Regions 4 and 5), with bidders able to submit offers for either or both regions. ODOT requires bidders to have a minimum of three years of experience providing similar goods and submit three references. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, with estimated annual quantities ranging from 150 to 2,500 tons per location across 25 different storage sites. Bidders must submit pricing through the OregonBuys eProcurement system by October 15, 2025, with an anticipated three-year contract term and potential extensions up to 10 years. The procurement will use fixed unit prices, with ODOT reserving the right to adjust quantities as needed. Evaluation will include potential reciprocal preferences for out-of-state bidders and consider factors such as delivery options (15-day, 30-day, and early-fill), material quality, and compliance with specifications.

The solicitation emphasizes ODOT's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, though no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly detailed. Bidders must comply with various legal requirements, including non-discrimination policies, tax law adherence, and workplace harassment prevention. For contracts anticipated to cost $150,000 or more, vendors must have a written policy preventing sexual harassment and discrimination. The contract allows for price adjustments limited to the Consumer Price Index (Pacific division), with no more than one price increase request per 12-month period. While no specific budget range is provided, the comprehensive pricing forms suggest a significant procurement with potential annual values varying by region. The contract is non-exclusive, meaning ODOT makes no guarantee of minimum or maximum purchases and retains the right to contract for similar services outside this agreement. The sodium chloride must meet specific quality specifications, including those from the Clear Roads Qualified Products List, with potential price reductions for goods that do not meet required specifications or are delivered late.