Sodium Chloride Bulk (Road Salt), Richmond Dist.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Richmond District is soliciting bids on sodium chloride bulk (road salt) for winter deicing operations across municipalities and agencies in the Richmond district, with bids due September 8, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. EDT via the eVA portal; a virtual public bid opening is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. EDT the same day.

Material must meet VDOT's Snow and Ice Control Material Specifications (Attachment D). Contractors must stock at least 75 percent of total tons awarded in Virginia or close proximity to its borders by November 1 each year, with stockpiles not falling below 50 percent of awarded tons between November 1 and February 1. Sodium chloride shall be delivered no later than 10 business days after order, Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., excluding weekends and holidays unless otherwise agreed. All loads must be accompanied by weigh tickets from scales approved by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Commerce or equivalent. A 24-hour delivery notification is required for all shipments.

The contract period runs October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, with options for four successive one-year renewal periods. Bid prices must be quoted as firm unit prices per short ton on a free-on-board delivered basis with freight costs included; prices remain firm for the entire contract period. For renewal periods, price adjustments are limited to the percentage increase or decrease in the Basic Inorganic Chemicals category from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index for the preceding twelve months.

Liquidated damages of 3 percent of the price per ton apply to deliveries delayed beyond 10 business days, except for delays from acts beyond the contractor's control. Material not conforming to specifications is subject to price penalties up to 50 percent of the unit price per ton or rejection and return at contractor expense. Contractors must maintain workers' compensation, employer's liability of $100,000, commercial general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, and automobile liability of $1,000,000 combined single limit. Questions are due August 24, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. No pre-bid conference will be held.