Windshield Washer Solvent

The City of Detroit Office of Contracting and Procurement, on behalf of the Department of Transportation, is issuing a Request for Quote (RFQ #542854) for the supply of biodegradable, bio-based windshield washer solvent for use on urban transit buses and service vehicles. The solicitation seeks qualified vendors to supply pre-mixed, non-flammable windshield washer solvent in 55-gallon plastic drums with an estimated annual quantity of 160 drums, delivered to four specified DDOT locations within three business days of order. The product must be phosphate-free, low in volatile organic compounds, and compliant with all federal, state, and local regulations. Respondents must demonstrate a minimum of five years of experience manufacturing or supplying windshield washer solvent for transit agencies or fleet operations and must provide three customer references from the past five years with detailed contact information and service dates. The contract term is two years with one one-year renewal option, contingent upon Detroit City Council approval and execution by the Chief Procurement Officer. Questions are due by February 9, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. EST, and proposals must be submitted through the Bonfire procurement portal by February 23, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. EST. Evaluation will be based on unit pricing on an F.O.B. basis inclusive of all applicable costs, with awards made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, and the City reserves the right to make one or multiple awards.

The City of Detroit offers equalization credits and competitive advantages to certified businesses, including Detroit-Based (D-BB), Detroit Resident Business (D-RB), Detroit Headquartered (D-HB), Detroit Based Small Business (D-SB), Detroit Based Micro Business (D-MB), and other certified entity classifications, with credit percentages ranging from 1% to 5% upon submission of valid Business Certificates at bid time. Interested companies can contact the Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity Department at 313.224.4950 or CivilrightsCert@detroitmi.gov for certification information, and under Detroit City Municipal Code Section 17-5-12(c)(1), the lowest equalized bid shall be awarded provided it does not exceed 12% above the lowest responsible bid or $100,000, whichever is less. Successful bidders must furnish product samples for testing and approval prior to contract award, along with complete technical data sheets and Material Safety Data Sheets, and must carry comprehensive insurance including Commercial General Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence with a $2,000,000 aggregate minimum. The vendor is responsible for all delivery costs and must provide and maintain storage totes at no cost to the City, with payment terms of NET 30 days from invoice receipt following registration in the City of Detroit Vendor Portal. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation documents, and while specific budget or award values are not disclosed, pricing will be evaluated on a per-tote basis with actual annual quantities not guaranteed, making container cost structures a significant factor in the City's net procurement cost evaluation.