Subject
title
Award a procurement contract in the amount of $103,500.00 through July 1, 2026, and an additional amount of up to $414,000 for up to four 1-year contract renewal options, to Kuehne Chemical Company, of Kearny, New Jersey. The procurement contract, in the form of a purchase order, is being awarded in response to IFB #04-26 for Supply and Delivery of 15% Sodium Hypochlorite to the Water Treatment Plant.
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Department
PW - Management & Support
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Mayor and Council award a procurement contract in the amount of $103,500.00 through July 1, 2026, and an additional amount of up to $414,000 for up to four 1-year contract renewal options, to Kuehne Chemical Company, of Kearny, New Jersey. The procurement contract, in the form of a purchase order, is being awarded in response to IFB #04-26 for Supply and Delivery of 15% Sodium Hypochlorite to the Water Treatment Plant.
Discussion
IFB #04-26 is for the supply and delivery of 15% sodium hypochlorite to the Water Treatment Plant as the primary disinfectant in production of potable water for City of Rockville water customers. This chemical ensures drinking water delivered to customers remains in compliance with EPA and MDE drinking water regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The Department of Public Works has adequate funding for this contract in the Water Treatment Plant cost center.
This contract was necessitated after the completion of the Capital Improvement Project Water Treatment Plant Safety Improvements (UB19) which transitioned the Water Treatment Plant from extremely hazardous chlorine gas to a safer alternative of 15% Sodium Hypochlorite.
This change ensures the Water Treatment Plant is in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administrations (OSHA) Process Safety Management Regulations involving highly hazardous chemicals.
Mayor and Council History
This is the first time this item has been brought before the Mayor and Council.
Procurement
Staff prepared and publicly advertised Invitation for Bids #04-26 on August 8, 2025, in accordance with Rockville City Code section #17-61. IFB #04-26 was posted on the City’s website and electronically provided to prospective bidders via the State of Maryland's e-Maryland Marketplace bid web portal. Of the 62 prospective bidders, using the new systems reporting capabilities, 6 were Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), 8 were Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), and 2 were Veteran Small Business Enterprises (VSBE).
Sealed bids were received and opened on August 29, 2025. The following bids were received:
|
Vendor Name |
MFD-V Status |
Vendor Location |
Bid Table A |
|
Kuehne Chemical Company |
Non-MFD-V |
Kearny, NJ |
$ 103,500.00 |
|
Brenntag Northeast LLC |
Non-MFD-V |
Reading, PA |
$ 94,500.00 |
The low bidder Brenntag Northeast LLC failed to include the addendum that reflected changes to the delivery schedule and renewal options within the terms and conditions. This rendered Brenntag’s bid as unresponsive to the IFB.
The bid amounts shown above were based on estimated quantities and used for bid evaluation purposes only. The bid amounts were based on delivery of 50,000 gallons of product.
In accordance with Rockville City Code, Section 17-39(a), Awarding Authority, all contracts involving more than two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) shall be awarded by the Mayor and Council. The total payments to the lowest bidder shall not exceed an aggregate amount of $103,500.00 per fiscal year. Since the contract amount for the initial term plus all renewal option years exceeds $250,000, approval is required by the Mayor and Council.
Staff reviewed all references and were able to confirm four references for Kuehne Chemical Company. All references that staff were able to confirm were found to be acceptable. Kuehne Chemical Company has also supplied and delivered other process chemicals to the City of Rockville Water Treatment Plant successfully and safely with their products meeting specifications.
The draft purchase order is provided as Attachment 1.
All remaining documents may be accessed from the link below:
<https://www.swisstransfer.com/d/6fb69a3b-8442-407b-b583-d0eede57b91d>
Fiscal Impact
There is sufficient FY 2026 funding for this contract through the Water Fund within the Water Treatment Plant’s operating budget. All future year funding is subject to Mayor and Council appropriations.
Next Steps
Upon Mayor and Council award, the Procurement Department will issue a purchase order to Kuehne Chemical Company.