Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Procurement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council authorizes hydrated-lime purchase after sole bid at $615/ton; procurement explains single-bid market
Summary
Council approved a sole-source award for hydrated lime at $615 per ton after receiving only one bid; procurement staff and council members discussed price increases, limited supplier response and plans to expand outreach next year.
The council voted to authorize purchase of hydrated lime for the water purification plant from the single responsive bidder at $615 per ton, an increase of about $120 per ton from last year. Procurement Director Samantha Burkhart told the council the city uses roughly 100 tons annually and that the total expected expenditure for the year is about $61,500. "This year's bid of $615 per ton is approximately a $120 more per ton than last year," City Manager Dan Creighton said during the presentation.
Councilmembers pressed procurement about why only one bid was received; Burkhart said she used the previous bid list, posted on BidNet, mailed invitations and is now using AI to expand supplier searches. She said some vendors sell the product but do not bid on it and that transportation or limited production may play roles. Council asked staff to continue searching for additional suppliers and consider broader outreach ahead of next year's bid.
Why it matters: hydrated lime is a routine chemical for the water plant. A single-bid result and a notable price increase prompted council questions about market competition and options for reducing cost in future solicitations.
