Supply of polymer to condition sludge for belt press operations

The Harlingen Waterworks System (HWWS) in Cameron County, Texas, is soliciting proposals for a twelve-month polymer supply contract to condition sludge for belt press operations at the Wastewater Treatment Plant located at 504 S. 54th Street in Harlingen. The procurement, identified as Bid No. 25-027, seeks approximately 30,000 pounds of liquid cationic emulsion polymer that is completely water-soluble with a minimum six-month shelf life. Key technical requirements include a solids capture ratio of at least 95%, production of sludge with a minimum 16% dry cake solids, and maintaining suspended solids concentration in filtrate below 350 mg/L. The polymer must be NSF certified, have a minimum active polymer content of 36%, cationicity range between 35% and 45%, and total solids between 39% and 48%. The bid is scheduled to be opened on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 2:30 p.m., with a target award date of July 23, 2025, and a contract term from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026, with potential two-year extensions.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises were explicitly mentioned in the procurement documents. The successful vendor must provide 250-gallon tote deliveries within three working days of order receipt and have a qualified technical representative residing in Texas with an 800-number for technical support. The vendor is required to conduct pre-bid product testing to ensure compatibility with existing facilities and demonstrate the ability to have a skilled technician available seven days a week to address polymer application or sludge conditioning issues. While no specific incumbent vendor was identified, the contract allows for potential price adjustments if the vendor experiences significant cost increases exceeding 4%. Pricing will be structured on a per-pound basis, with no guaranteed minimum or maximum quantity, suggesting flexibility in the potential contract value based on actual usage during the twelve-month period.