MPA460 Ice Melt Products

The State of Rhode Island Division of Purchases is issuing Request for Quotation RFQM26006434 to establish a Master Price Agreement for bagged ice melt products with statewide applicability. This solicitation seeks quotations for 31 distinct product line items, including 26 bagged products in 500-bag quantities, one gallon liquid products in 500-unit quantities, and four tote products in 25-unit quantities, with specific brand requirements such as Inferno, Nitro, Kissner Merlin, Safe Step Enviro Pro, Peladow, Magic Salt, and numerous other manufacturer brands. Vendors must supply three primary product types: calcium magnesium acetate bagged products in 50-pound bags, liquid ice melt products containing calcium chloride and/or magnesium chloride for spray application or bulk tote delivery, and one-ton bag products containing rock salt mixed or coated with calcium and magnesium chloride. All ice melt products must meet rigorous performance requirements including effective deicing action down to -10°F, non-toxicity to humans and animals, biodegradability, anti-corrosive properties, and anti-caking agents rendering products usable for at least 12 months when stored properly. Bidders must submit product samples to the Division of Purchases on or before May 1, 2026, at 1:00 PM EDT (the bid opening date) along with test certification reports demonstrating compliance with all specifications, and vendor questions are accepted through April 21, 2026, at 5:00 PM EDT. Successful vendors must demonstrate the capability to maintain sufficient inventory for on-time delivery within a minimum of one week from order placement, provide tailored delivery with lift-gate equipment and unloading staff, and accommodate all costs associated with damaged product returns and replacements within three business days of damage notification. All pricing must represent total landed cost to the agency, inclusive of product, fuel, freight, insurance, and overhead expenses, with unit prices fixed for one year from the contract start date and subject to price adjustments on contract anniversaries only with mutual agreement supported by manufacturer documentation.

All awarded vendors must maintain general liability insurance of $1,000,000 combined single limit, workers compensation insurance of $100,000 per accident, and automobile liability insurance of $1,000,000 combined single limit. Vendors are required to complete the MBE Participation Acknowledgment Form as a mandatory requirement for proposal submission, indicating Rhode Island's emphasis on minority business enterprise participation and engagement. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation documents, suggesting this may represent a new procurement initiative or replacement of existing agreements. Political subdivisions, including municipalities and institutions for higher education, are authorized to participate in the resulting Master Price Agreement, expanding the potential customer base beyond state agencies. Proposals must be submitted electronically through Ocean State Procures at www.ridop.ri.gov by the May 1, 2026, deadline, with a 0.33 percent contract administrative fee to be withheld from all invoices. The State reserves the right to make one or multiple awards and may reject any or all bids; no specific budget allocation or award value is disclosed in the solicitation materials, with pricing to be determined based on submitted vendor quotations and the State's actual procurement needs during the contract term.