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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Robert Leible, Superintendent of Water Production
DATE: November 10, 2025
SUBJECT:
A resolution authorizing the award of contracts to supply process chemicals for the Water Production Division.
PURPOSE:
To obtain city council approval for the execution of contracts with suppliers of various process chemicals for the Water Production Division.
BACKGROUND:
Each year the Water Production Division (WPD) solicits bids for process chemicals to be used at the Water Treatment Plant, bids 25-197 and 25-213. The chemicals supplied are essential and necessary to the operations of the various treatment processes such as softening, disinfection, clarification, filtration, fluoridation, and taste & odor control as well as regulatory compliance with drinking water standards. Competitive bidding for various chemicals was completed via reverse auction and through OpenGov procurement. Bid tabulations for each solicitation are attached.
DISCUSSION:
The following suppliers are submitted as the lowest responsive, responsible bidders and are recommended for the one-year period commencing on January 1, 2026:
Airgas Specialty Products, Inc. - Anhydrous Ammonia
Univar Solutions USA LLC - Fluorosilicic Acid
Rowell Chemical Corp - Sodium Hypochlorite
Mississippi Lime Company - Calcium Oxide
The following supplier is submitted as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder and is recommended for a two-year period commencing on January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2027. Year two of the agreement is an option year for either party to opt in or opt out:
Linde - Carbon Dioxide
An attachment lists the recommended bidders, unit prices, and total estimated contract amounts.
Funds have been requested in the 2026 City Budget in Account No. 510-4058-511-65-36 in the amount of $3,840,900.00. The proposed budget amount is based on the estimated usage for all process chemicals utilized by the WPD.
The City of Aurora Local Preference Ordinance did apply to these bids but did not impact the awards.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
None.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Request committee and city council approval of a resolution authorizing the execution of contracts to supply process chemicals during 2026 and 2027.
cc: Infrastructure and Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the award of contracts to supply process chemicals for the Water Production Division.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, sealed bids were requested and reverse-auction pricing was submitted for process chemicals to be used in the treatment of the City's water supply commencing on January 1, 2026; and
WHEREAS, listed on the attachment, "WPD Recommended Chemical Suppliers 2026 - 2027", are the lowest responsive, responsible bidders for each process chemical, at the bid amount shown for a one-year period or two-year period; and
WHEREAS, funding for the purchase of all process chemicals is provided annually in the City Budget in Account No. 510-4058-511-65-36 with a requested 2026 budget of $3,840,900.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: subject to the approval of this item in the 2026 budget, that the Director of Purchasing is hereby authorized to enter into agreements with Mississippi Lime Co., Airgas Specialty Products, Inc., Linde, Univar Solutions USA LLC, and Rowell Chemical Corporation for the Water Production Division.