Sodium Hydroxide

The City of Reading, Pennsylvania is soliciting sealed bids for sodium hydroxide through the PennBid portal, with bids due November 4, 2026 at 2:00 PM. Each proposal must include bid surety equal to 10 percent of the bid, which the attached IFB specifies as a certified check or bid bond. No set-aside, preference, or local-vendor requirement appears in the source.

The solicitation description names City Hall as the use location, while the attached IFB file describes bulk delivery to the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant for the Primary Settling Tank Odor Control Scrubber. Addendum 1, posted with the solicitation, requires bidders to return a signed acknowledgment with their proposal form. The addendum also identifies the prior contract as awarded to Brenntag Northeast LLC at $31,580.00.

The scope covers approximately 20,000 gallons of 25% sodium hydroxide solution annually, delivered in bulk loads of at least 4,000 gallons. If the bulk system fails, the City will accept 20,000 gallons in 275-gallon totes. The material must meet strict quality specifications for alkalinity, carbonate, chloride, and iron content, with a certificate of compliance for each load. Suppliers must conduct two safety trainings annually at no charge and comply with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection training requirements. Pricing must be FOB-Destination, with no charges for pallets, totes, delivery, or empty container returns. Deliveries must arrive within five calendar days of order, between 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday except holidays. Supplier personnel unload bulk product, while City personnel unload totes.

Required insurance includes general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence, business automobile liability of $1,000,000 combined single limit, umbrella or excess liability of $5,000,000, pollution liability of $1,000,000, and workers' compensation at statutory limits.

The contract term is two years, with two optional one-year extensions at the City's discretion. The City is tax-exempt, and successful bidders are responsible for all applicable federal, state, and local taxes. Questions are due October 21, 2026, with City answers issued October 23, 2026, and bids are publicly opened November 4, 2026.