Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source Procurement: HJ3 Technologies Composites

The City of Apopka, Florida, Department of Utilities Operations is conducting a sole source procurement for material and services to repair the West Plant Aeration Basin at its wastewater treatment facility, with the notice period closing July 28, 2026. The procurement is restricted to HJ3 Composite Technologies due to its proprietary StrongHold Repair System, a patented, engineered composite concrete rehabilitation technology with no identified substitutes that meet the technical and operational requirements.

The scope addresses structural leakage at a failed cold joint seal within an operating aeration basin, with wastewater currently surfacing approximately 40 feet from the structure. The repair must withstand continuous immersion in municipal wastewater, resist biological and chemical corrosion caused by hydrogen sulfide and related hazards, bond to deteriorated reinforced concrete under field conditions, restore watertightness and structural capacity, and minimize shutdown time of the aeration basin. The StrongHold system comprises fully compatible proprietary components—HJ3 HT1 Primer, Surface Filler, Saturant, engineered reinforcement fabrics, and ChemSeal Novolac protective coatings—integrated as a wet-on-wet compatible repair methodology that creates a monolithic reinforced liner without annular spaces between layers. The system is available only through HJ3 and its authorized personnel, which provide manufacturer-certified installation, engineering support, and a 15-year service life warranty.

The estimated contract value is $73,750, charged to Account Number 401-3191-535-4600 (Repair and Maintenance—Building and Equipment). City Council authorized the sole source designation on July 1, 2026, and the City Administrator granted final approval on July 7, 2026, both required for procurements exceeding $50,000. This is the first procurement from HJ3 by the City of Apopka. The repair is time-sensitive to restore the West Plant to operational status.