Posting Language
Title
Authorize two contracts for lab supplies and lab chemicals for Austin Water with Midland Scientific Inc. and VWR International LLC d/b/a VWR International, each for an initial term of three years with up to two one-year extension options in amounts not to exceed $5,000,000, divided between the contractors. Funding: $1,000,000 is available in the Operating Budget of Austin Water. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Body
Lead Department
Financial Services Department.
Client Department(s)
Austin Water.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $1,000,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating Budget of Austin Water.
Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Purchasing Language:
The Financial Services Department issued a Request for Proposals solicitation RFP 2200 KMF3045 for these goods. The solicitation was issued on February 10, 2025, and closed on March 27, 2025. Of the 4 offers received, the recommended contractors submitted the best evaluated responsive offer. A complete solicitation package, including a log of offers received, is available for viewing on the City’s website. This information can currently be found at https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=141574.
MBE/WBE:
This solicitation was reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). For the goods required for this solicitation, there were no subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established.
For More Information:
Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to the Financial Services Department - Central Procurement at FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2500. Respondents to the solicitation and their Agents should direct all questions to the Authorized Contact Person identified in the solicitation.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
September 17, 2025 - To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission.
Additional Backup Information:
The contractors will provide laboratory chemicals and supplies for Austin Water. The laboratory chemicals and supplies provided by the contractors meet the standards prescribed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) approved testing methodology. The laboratories test the water quality of drinking water, raw surface water, wastewater, bio-solids, industrial waste samples, treatment chemical samples, and other environmental water samples.
These are new contracts. The requested authorization is based on departmental estimates of future needs.
An evaluation team with expertise in this area evaluated these offers and scored Midland Scientific Inc. and VWR International LLC dba VWR International as the best to provide these goods and services based on online website/URL and ordering (system and process), online catalog, experience and qualifications, price proposal, account and order reporting, customer and product support, local business presence, and small business presence.
If these contracts are not secured, the City will lack a dependable source for laboratory chemicals and supplies.
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Contract Details: |
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Contract Term |
Length of Term |
Contract Authorization |
|
Initial Term |
3 years |
$3,000,000 |
|
Optional Extension 1 |
1 year |
$1,000,000 |
|
Optional Extension 2 |
1 year |
$1,000,000 |
|
Total |
5 years |
$5,000,000 |
Note: Contract Authorization amounts are based on the City’s estimated annual usage.