Sulfuric acid/caustic water tanks, cleaning, removal, disposal

Palm Beach County Purchasing Department issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for cleaning, removal, and disposal services of sulfuric acid and caustic water storage tanks at three Water Treatment Plants located throughout the county. The procurement encompasses two lots: Lot #1 covers WTP #3 (Delray Beach) with 4 tanks and WTP #9 (Boca Raton) with 4 tanks, while Lot #2 covers WTP #11 (Belle Glade) with 4 tanks, ranging in capacity from 6,000 to 30,000 gallons. The selected contractor must clean the interior of storage tanks by removing at least 93% of residual sludge using mild caustic solutions, decontamination, and neutralization procedures, with all costs including supervision, labor, equipment, materials, tools, machinery, transportation, mobilization, demobilization, and waste disposal included in firm, fixed unit pricing submitted on a per-tank basis by size and type. The initial contract term is twelve months or until the estimated amount is expended, with four optional renewal periods of twelve months each contingent upon mutual written agreement and appropriation of funds. Key deadlines included a non-mandatory site inspection on January 18, 2017, at WTP #3, and a bid submission deadline of February 2, 2017, at 4:00 p.m.; a post-award meeting must occur within five business days of award notification. Bidders must provide three references demonstrating similar work completed within the past three years and maintain Commercial General Liability Insurance ($500,000 minimum), Business Auto Liability Insurance ($500,000 minimum), and Workers' Compensation Insurance in accordance with Florida Statute Chapter 440.

The procurement includes a 15% Small Business Enterprise (SBE) participation goal, with bid evaluation preferences applied to responsive SBE bidders if the low bidder fails to meet SBE requirements. A 5% local preference applies to bidders with a permanent place of business in Palm Beach County or the Glades area, verified by Business Tax Receipt. No incumbent vendors or current contractors were identified in the solicitation documents. The County reserves the right to add or delete tank locations and quantities during the contract term at its sole discretion, with pricing for additional tanks based on similar size tanks bid at the same terms and conditions. The solicitation did not specify an explicit budget ceiling or award value; however, the contract structure indicates payment will be rendered on a per-tank basis for cleaning services as delivery orders are issued on an as-needed basis throughout the contract term. County satisfaction of services rendered is a prerequisite for payment authorization.