BL076-26, Purchase of Solids Dewatering and Thickening Polymer on an Annual Contract

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July 1, 2026
INVITATION TO BID
BL076-26
The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners is soliciting competitive sealed bids from
qualified suppliers for the Purchase of Solids Dewatering and Thickening Polymer on an Annual
Contract for the Department of Water Resources.
Bids should be typed or submitted in ink and returned in a sealed container marked on the outside
with the BL# and Company Name. Bids will be received until 2:50 P.M. local time on July 30,
2026, at the Gwinnett County Financial Services - Purchasing Division - 2nd Floor, 75 Langley
Drive, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046. Any bid received after this date and time will not be
accepted. Bids will be publicly opened and read at 3:00 P.M.
The bid opening will be virtual ONLY. To access the bid opening virtually, visit the following link:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/24806182039311?p=0zMtcM80gZvwckSAOG ,
or dial 1-323-676-6170 and enter Conference ID 893 985 038#. Apparent bid results will be
available the following business day on the website www.GwinnettCounty.com.
Questions regarding bids should be directed to Anna West, Purchasing Associate II, at
Anna.West@GwinnettCounty.com or by calling 770-822-7862, no later than July 22, 2026. Bids
are legal and binding upon the vendor when submitted. All bids should be submitted in duplicate.
Gwinnett County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to
its programs or activities. Any requests for reasonable accommodations required by individuals
to fully participate in any open meeting, program or activity of Gwinnett County Government
should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the Gwinnett County Justice and Administration
Center, 770-822-8165.
The written bid documents supersede any verbal or written prior communications between the
parties.
Award will be made to the supplier submitting the lowest responsive and responsible bid.
Gwinnett County reserves the right to reject any or all bids to waive technicalities and to make an
award deemed in its best interest. Bids may be split or awarded in entirety. Gwinnett County
reserves the option to negotiate terms, conditions and pricing with the lowest responsive,
responsible vendor(s) at its discretion.
Award notification will be posted after award on the County website, www.gwinnettcounty.com
and companies submitting a bid will be notified via email.
We look forward to your bid and appreciate your interest in Gwinnett County.
Anna West
Purchasing Associate II

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GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS
TESTING:
A. Schedule
All suppliers should complete bench testing and full-scale testing no later than July 22,
2026. Suppliers shall make arrangements to pick up samples at the designated facilities
listed below to conduct bench-scale testing required to identify their selected product(s)
and recommended dosage(s). Bench testing samples may be picked up from each facility
on July 10, 2026, between 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Upon arrival at the F. Wayne Hill Water
Resources Center (FWHWRC), please ask for Chloe Crouch or Luke West to coordinate
sample pick up. Upon arrival at the Crooked Creek Water Reclamation Facility (CCWRF),
please ask for Cody Reece or Malcom Gavin to coordinate sample pick up. There should
be no communication about this solicitation during sample pick up. All questions and
communication must come through Purchasing. Please contact Anna West with any
questions.
Upon completion of bench testing, suppliers should be prepared to have the product they
deem most effective on site ready for full-scale testing no later than the scheduled trial
date.
Scheduling requests will be processed in order of receipt and on a first request, first
scheduled basis. Please reach out to schedule full-scale testing as soon as possible as
each facility can only accommodate one supplier per day. There is no guarantee that time
slots will be available close to the full-scale testing deadline. If you would like to schedule
full-scale testing, please contact Anna West at Anna.West@GwinnettCounty.com
Full-scale testing must be completed by July 22, 2026. Suppliers who do not have product
on site by the scheduled trial date will not be tested or considered. A single representative
from each supplier may be present for the trial but is not required.
Bids are due in Purchasing on July 30, 2026, as stated in the bid documents. Pricing for
the product tested full-scale should be included in the bid form only. Upon completion of
trials the total cost will be calculated. No bonds are required for this solicitation.
B. Current Products
Gwinnett County currently uses polymer for the following locations in its water
reclamation facilities:
1. Dewatering waste activated sludge from aerated sludge storage tanks at the CCWRF
via belt presses.
2. Thickening combined primary and waste activated sludge at the FWHWRC via rotary
drum thickeners (RDTs).
3. Dewatering anaerobically digested sludge at the FWHWRC via centrifugation.
C. Requirements
Pre-approved products are Polydyne, Inc. Clarifloc SE-1748 and Clarifloc SE-1748. All
other products must be submitted for performance testing as outlined in this solicitation.
Testing is mandatory and all decisions are final. Testing shall include the following:

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1. Gwinnett County will consider only emulsion polymers for all applications.
2. It is the supplier's responsibility to visit the site and conduct on-site, bench-scale
testing of products to select the best product for evaluation. The supplier will also be
responsible for knowing the type of polymer make-up equipment at each site to ensure
their product is compatible with the existing feed equipment. Suppliers may be on-site
during the full-scale performance evaluation. Gwinnett County personnel and/or their
designated contractor will collect composite, test and otherwise handle all samples
and equipment adjustments during the performance trials.
3. Each supplier will be required to select and submit one (1) product for each of the
polymer application points for full-scale testing. Notification of products proposed for
full-scale testing, proposed sample delivery dates, technical sheets, and material
safety data sheets shall be submitted by each supplier to Anna West with the
Purchasing Division (who will provide to DWR) , no less than four (4) calendar days
prior to scheduled full-scale testing. Suppliers will provide enough dewatering polymer
for full, plant-scale evaluation based on their recommended dosage. Suppliers will
also be required to submit one lab sample (2 oz. minimum) of the product proposed
for full-scale testing.
4. If the existing polymer feed equipment is not compatible with the supplier's product,
the supplier must supply necessary make-up/feed equipment for the trials. Suppliers
will be responsible for removing both equipment and product after their trial by the
specified date or face disqualification. Suppliers must also supply any equipment
necessary for handling their product if selected for the annual contract. This includes
any make-up equipment not owned by Gwinnett County, all piping required and all
tanks. If in Gwinnett County's opinion the incompatibility of a supplier's product with
existing equipment causes undue complication or other operational or maintenance
issues, the need to use alternative feed equipment may be cause for disqualification
of a product.
The supplier will supply, at no charge to Gwinnett County, enough polymer to conduct
a full-scale performance evaluation. If any product provided by the supplier is not
compatible with our current product, any or all cleaning or preparation of the storage
tanks and/or feed system will be the responsibility of the vendor.
Any remaining sample product must be removed within seven (7) calendar days of the
supplier's last trial. Removal is to be done by the supplier at the supplier's expense.
Each supplier will be given only data that pertains to his/her product. Comparison data
will not be given nor discussed with suppliers.
5. Products that meet or exceed the minimum requirements set forth in this document,
as demonstrated in the full-scale performance evaluations and specified herein, will
be considered for award. Consideration of products not meeting the minimum
requirements will be at the discretion of the Department of Water Resources.
6. By submitting a product for testing, the supplier acknowledges that it is able to supply
this product, at the same performance quality and specifications, at the volume
necessary to fulfill the terms/length of the annual contract. Lab samples will be
checked against future deliveries of product to ensure performance-based standards.
The supplier will be required to produce, at the County's request, retained samples of
product batches delivered. An MSDS sheet must accompany each shipment and a

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certificate of analysis stating the total solids, total active solids, bulk viscosity, and
dilute viscosity. Gwinnett County reserves the right to conduct lab analysis on each
load delivered to verify the certificate of analysis.
In the event the supplier can no longer provide the product as bid, it is the supplier's
responsibility to inform Gwinnett County of these changes and to supply, at no
additional cost to the County, a product with equal or superior performance than the
product previously supplied at no more than the annual contract price.
In the event of a drop in performance without a notification of change by the supplier
and with no significant changes in plant process, the sludge/polymer interaction will
be documented and compared with the original sludge/polymer interaction. It will be
the supplier's responsibility to remove any polymer whose performance or
specifications are deemed substandard by Gwinnett County. Failure to do so may
result in termination of the annual contract.
D. Polymer Performance Trials Procedures
In an effort to establish a consistent means of evaluating polymers throughout the
division, the following guidelines are to be applied to each trial conducted:
1. Preparation - Only one representative from each supplier will be allowed, but not
required, to be on site for the performance evaluations to direct polymer make up and
recommend any process changes. The supplier's representative will remain with the
Gwinnett County representative at all times during the set up and trials. In an effort to
minimize trial variations, Gwinnett County has adopted a "hands off" policy for
suppliers during performance trials. Suppliers will not be allowed to handle product or
make machine adjustments by themselves. Any supplier found moving polymer or
making machine adjustments will be asked to leave the trial site.
2. Testing - Test methods for measuring thickened sludge dewatered cake, centrate, and
feed solids concentrations will be at the discretion of the management at each facility.
The same test method will be used for each test for all trials at the facility. Both
facilities use microwave testing for TSS measurement (CEM SmartMatic 6). Split
samples may be arranged with the concurrence of facility management.
3. Trial Run - Centrifuge or RDT trials will allow up to 2 hours for adjustments
recommended by the supplier or deemed appropriate by the evaluator when the
supplier is not present. Once the process is optimized, the trial will begin and run for 4
hours. Once the trial period has started no adjustments will be allowed to the polymer,
sludge or load during the trial period, unless testing shows a substantial change in
feed solids or other conditions which the evaluator and the supplier's representative
agree warrants a change. In the event that a gross error in trial setup is made and the
error is caught during the first two hours of the trial the supplier may recommend
changes to the sludge feed, load and/or polymer and the trial restarted. (4 hour timer
restarts). Only one trial restart will be allowed per Supplier, unless an additional is
approved by the plant superintendent. Samples will be collected every 30 minutes and
analyzed by Gwinnett County. Feed and centrate samples will be composited while
cake solids and thickened sludge solids will be run individually and averaged. These
results will be used in the calculation of total treatment cost. Suppliers wishing to use
instruments for determining cake solids during their evaluation must bring their own
instruments and equipment for use. (Any supplier testing done is for informational

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purposes of the supplier only. Only the results obtained through County staff with
County testing equipment will be used for calculation of treatment costs).
4. Monitoring - Samples of the feed sludge, and centrate will be composited; cake
samples and thickened sludge samples will be run individually, and results averaged.
Samples will be taken at thirty (30) minute intervals for RDTs and centrifuges.
Sampling points will be identified by the person overseeing the trial and these points
will remain the same throughout all the trials. Visual observations of the polymer and
RDT/ centrifuge performance will be noted on an evaluation form. Any considerable
variances observed in the sludge quality will also be noted. Only County personnel are
permitted to take, composite, test or otherwise handle the samples. Each sample will
be properly identified with supplier's name and the facility test information.
SPECIFICATIONS AND COMPLIANCE
1. Sludge data is based on operations from January 1st, 2025 through December 31st 2025.
2. All items will be ordered on an "as needed" basis by Gwinnett County.
3. Bid will be awarded on the product, which has the lowest cost per ton of sludge dewatered
and its effectiveness.
The winning bid for F. Wayne Hill's thickening polymer will be dependent on the polymer
cost incurred to meet the minimum thickening and solids capture requirements.
Polymer cost ($/dry ton) = dosage (lb polymer/dry ton) x unit price ($/lb polymer)
The following formula will be used for the dewatering polymer in this evaluation process:
Total cost ($/dry ton) = polymer cost + hauling cost
Polymer cost ($/dry ton) = dosage (lb polymer/dry ton) x unit price ($/lb polymer)
Hauling cost ($/dry ton) = contract hauling cost ($/wet ton)/[cake solids (%)/100]
Polymer dosage and cake solids will be determined for each product in the full-scale
dewatering tests to be scheduled and performed in the near future. Polymers must meet
the minimum solids capture and percent cake dryness requirements. Suppliers will be
provided with data from full-scale testing of their own products.
Contract hauling costs: $140.23/ton for Crooked Creek WRF
$140.23/ton for F. Wayne Hill WRC
4. If the existing polymer feed equipment is not compatible with the supplier's product, the
supplier must supply necessary make-up/feed equipment for the testing and will be
responsible for removing both the equipment and product after their trial by the specified
date or face disqualification. Suppliers must also supply any equipment necessary for
handling their product if selected for the price agreement. This includes all make-up
equipment not owned by Gwinnett County, all piping required and all tanks.
5. In addition to providing the polymer, all polymer vendors will be required to meet the
service conditions set forth in the Additional Service Requirements.
ADDITIONAL SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
Gwinnett County's polymer suppliers are required to advise our operations staff by providing

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support in the application of these products.
1. On-site Services
a. Polymer supplier shall be able to provide staff for the following on-site services
when requested by plant management:
i. Bench-scale testing will be performed to determine the accuracy and
effectiveness of the field applications by a representative of the polymer
supplier.
ii. The polymer supplier will offer practical hands-on, on-site in the field
training as it relates to any process issues or applications that are being
reviewed to ensure a cohesive approach is being taken to implement
changes.
2. Project Development Support
a. The polymer supplier will provide to Gwinnett County any information available
from its technical support staff on projects of a like fashion at any point in a
project's development. This will allow the County a stronger evaluation of all
considered projects.
3. Resolution of Issues
a. Any process issues that are defined through monitoring will be resolved through
an action plan as determined by Gwinnett County and the representatives of the
polymer supplier.
b. The polymer supplier will work with operations staff to re-evaluate and report on
the impacts to the process initiated by the changes outlined in the action plan.

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FAILURE TO RETURN THIS PAGE AS PART OF YOUR BID DOCUMENT MAY RESULT IN REJECTION
OF BID.
GWINNETT COUNTY
POLYMER PERFORMANCE EVALUATION DATA
SLUDGE THICKENING
COMPANY:
PRODUCT: COST/LB:
PLANT: F. Wayne Hill WRC OPERATOR:
DATE:
TRIAL START TIME: END TIME:
FEED SLUDGE TS (mg/L):
FILTRATE TS (mg/L):
FEED FLOW (GPM)
CAKE SOLIDS TS %:
LBS DEWATERED ((FEED TS-FILTRATE TS) x GPM x 8.34 x 1440/10^6):
POLYMER USED: GALLONS POLYMER USED: LBS
LBS OF POLYMER/DRY TON:
POLYMER COST/DRY TON:
OBSERVATIONS:
PASS: FAIL:

BL076-26 Page 8 of 32
FAILURE TO RETURN THIS PAGE AS PART OF YOUR BID DOCUMENT MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF BID.
GWINNETT COUNTY
POLYMER PERFROMANCE EVALUATION DATA
SOLIDS DEWATERING
COMPANY:
PRODUCT: COST/LB:
PLANT: OPERATOR:
DATE:
TRIAL START TIME: END TIME:
FEED SLUDGE TS (mg/L):
CENTRATE TS (mg/L):
SLUDGE DEWATERED (MG):
LBS DEWATERED ((FEED TS-CENTRATE TS) x MG x 8.34):
TONS DEWATERED:
CAKE TS %:
POLYMER USED: GALLONS POLYMER USED: LBS
LBS OF POLYMER/DRY TON DEWATERED:
POLYMER COST/DRY TON DEWATERED:
HAULING COST/TON:
OBSERVATIONS:
PASS: FAIL:

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Crooked Creek WRF F. Wayne Hill WRC
Facility Location 6557 Plant Drive 1500 One Water Way
Norcross, GA 30092 Buford, GA 30519
Thickening via
Polymer Dewatering via Belt Dewatering via
Rotary Drum
Application Filter Press Centrifuge
Thickener
1.4% - Avg 2.1% - Avg 3.1% - Avg
Feed Sludge
0.9% - Min 1.2% - Min 2.3% - Min
Solids (%TS)1
1.8% - Max 4.1% - Max 4.2% - Max
Typical Sludge
Feed Rate per 170 to 200 250 to 300 200 to 250
Unit (gpm/unit)
110 - Avg 113 - Avg 138 - Avg
Filtrate/Centrate
4 - Min 26 - Min 31 - Min
Solids (mg/L)1
407 - Max 358 - Max 267 - Max
Thickened 18.4 - Avg 7.5 - Avg 20.8 - Avg
Sludge/ Cake 12.6 - Min 6.2 - Min 19.3 - Min
Solids (%)1 21.0 - Max 8.9 - Max 23.1 - Max
Solids 11.4 - Avg 85.5 - Avg 49.8 - Avg
Production (dry 3.6 - Min 49.2 - Min 4.6 - Min
tons/day)1 27.2 - Max 123.6 - Max 72.5 - Max
Minimum Avg Filtrate Solids
Avg Filtrate Solids < Avg Centrate
Performance < 200 mg/L
200 mg/L Solids < 200 mg/L
Requirements 7.0% < Avg
Avg Cake Solids > Avg Cake Solids >
during Full- Thickened Sludge
18.0% 20.0%
Scale Testing Solids < 9.0%

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FAILURE TO RETURN THIS PAGE AS PART OF YOUR BID DOCUMENT MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF BID.
Notification of Scheduled Delivery of Polymer Samples for Testing
Company Name
Address
City State Zip
Phone Number Fax Number
Authorized Representative
E-mail Address
FACILITY PRODUCT RECOMMENDED DELIVERY
DOSE DATE
Crooked Creek WRF
Dewatering
F. Wayne Hill WRC
Dewatering
F. Wayne Hill WRC
Thickening