Statewide Cooling Tower Treatment

Location:	Vermont
Posted:	Feb 13, 2026
Due:	Feb 26, 2026
Agency:	State of Vermont
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	Z - Maintenance, Repair or Alteration of Real Property
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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AoA/BGS

133 State Street, 5th Floor | Montpelier VT 05633-8000

802-828-2211 phone |802-828-2222 fax

http://bgs.vermont.gov/purchasing

SEALED BID

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

STATEWIDE COOLING TOWER TREATMENT

ISSUE DATE

BIDDERS CONFERENCE

QUESTIONS DUE

RFP RESPONSES DUE BY

February 11, 2026

None

February 19, 2026, 4:30 pm (EST)

February 26, 2026, 4:30 PM (EST)

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES, AND ADDENDUMS ASSOCIATED

WITH THIS RFP WILL BE POSTED AT:

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php

THE STATE WILL MAKE NO ATTEMPT TO CONTACT INTERESTED PARTIES WITH UPDATED

INFORMATION. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH BIDDER TO PERIODICALLY CHECK THE

ABOVE WEBPAGEFOR ANY AND ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES AND ADDENDUMS

ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RFP.

STATE CONTACT:

E-MAIL:

James Meyers, State Senior Purchasing Agent

BGS.OPCVendorDocs@vermont.gov

Revised: March 18, 2025

1. OVERVIEW:

1.1. SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: Through this Request for Proposal (RFP) the AoA/BGS (hereinafter the

“State”) is seeking to establish contracts with one or more companies that can provide Cooling Tower

Treatment.

1.2. CONTRACT PERIOD: Contracts arising from this RFP will be for a period of 36 MONTHS with an option

to renew for up to two additional twelve-month periods. The State anticipates the start date for such

contract(s) will be 4/15/2026.

1.3. SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT: All communications concerning this RFP are to be addressed in writing

to the State Contact listed on the front page of this RFP. Actual or attempted contact with any other

individual from the State concerning this RFP is strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification.

1.4. BIDDERS’ CONFERENCE: A bidders’ conference will not be held remotely at the date and time

indicated on the front page of this RFP.

1.5. QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD: Any bidder requiring clarification of any section of this RFP or

wishing to comment on any requirement of the RFP must submit specific questions in writing no later than

the deadline for question indicated on the first page of this RFP. Questions may be e-mailed to the point

of contact on the front page of this RFP. Questions or comments not raised in writing on or before the last

day of the question period are thereafter waived. At the close of the question period a copy of all

questions or comments and the State's responses will be posted on the State’s web site

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php . Every effort will be made to post this information as soon as

possible after the question period ends, contingent on the number and complexity of the questions. All

information provided by vendors during this process will be public and bidders shall not provide

confidential information, except as described in 4.1 below.

1.6. CHANGES TO THIS RFP: Any modifications to this RFP will be made in writing by the State through the

issuance of an Addendum to this RFP and posted online at http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php .

Modifications from any other source are not to be considered.

2. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS/DESIRED OUTCOMES:

2.1 Provide for a complete program of water treatment which will ensure complete protection against

excessive microbiological growth, fouling, scale, sludge formation, pitting and general corrosion.

2.2 This water treatment program, chemicals, and service to be provided by a specialized water

treatment consultant and service provider for the State’s twelve cooling towers at nine locations.

2.3 These specifications, Bid Proposal and the resulting Contract will consist of two components:

a. Regular Program and Service

b. Chemical supply

2.4 Water treatment program is a performance-oriented service. The impact of a properly optimized

program on our reliability and economics of operation has significance beyond the cost of the

service. For this reason, specific requirements for suppliers’ qualifications, capabilities, chemicals,

equipment, technical support, and representative have been established and will be detailed in this

specification.

2.5 The State of Vermont requests that the water treatment consultant furnishes an effective product,

quality service, and good communications, all designed to meet the performance expectation jointly

agreed upon. The program shall be developed and maintained based on the following directives:

a. Thorough system analysis and execution of an appropriate water treatment program

b. Continuous review of system results

c. Implementing improvements as required

d. Complete and accurate communication among field operators and management personnel is

required.

Revised: March 18, 2025

2.6. The water treatment program shall be designed to minimize scale, corrosion deposit, sludge formation,

foaming, and biological fouling from slime and algae accumulations, as well as microbiological growth

in the systems to be treated.

2.7. Annual Test Schedule and Building and System Locations:

System Number

M-1

M-2A

M-2B

M-3

M-4A

M-4B

M-5

M-6

M-7A

M-7B

M-8

M-9

M-10

Location

Emory Hebard, Newport, 100 Main Street

Newport

Zampieri Building, 108 Cherry St. Burlington

Costello Court House, 32 Cherry St., Burlington

Health Lab, 359 South Park Drive, Colchester

General Services Building, 1078 US Route #2,

Middlesex

Pavilion State Office Building, 109 State St.,

Montpelier

Waterbury Complex, 103 South Main, Waterbury

133 State Street State Office Building, Montpelier,

Vermont

ASA Bloomer State Office Building, 88 Merchants

Row, Rutland Vermont

Vermont Agriculture and Environmental, VTC

Campus in Randolph, Vermont

Test Schedule

April - October

April –

October

April –

October

April –

October

12 Months

April –

October

April –

October

12 Months

April-October

2.8. This contractor shall be responsible for providing and installing all necessary equipment for the

safe delivery of chemicals from the chemical storage tanks to the tower water in proper dosages.

2.9 General Description: Each facility already has the following piping and system in place, if we

need to add new equipment it will be done on a T & M basis.

a. The sample line shall be tapped from the discharge side of the cooling tower re-circulation

pump and returned to either the cooling tower sump or the suction side of the re-circulation

pump.

b. A ¾“ bleed line taken from the tower spray pump and returned to the tower sump is to travel

through a treatment system located inside the building.

c. The tower bleed water, pumped by the tower spray pump whenever it operates, travels

through treatment system sensing components consisting of a coupon rack, conductivity

sensor and ORP sensor, and back to the tower.

d. The indoor system also has a header with three tees for injection-by-injection pumps from

three chemical tanks as commanded by an automated controller package.

e. A makeup water meter digitally registers makeup volume, and their controller injects corrosion

inhibitor chemicals based on the quantity of makeup water.

Revised: March 18, 2025

f. Biocide to be set up to be alternately administered.

g. Cooling tower Control Module is a multi I/O cooling tower controller shall be a Walchem

WebMaster WMT7000 series.

2.10 CHEMICAL FREE TREATMENT SYSTEMS:

a. Chemical Free Treatment Systems: Eight of the cooling towers have chemical free cooling tower

devices in place on our towers. At this time the cooling towers at 108 Cherry Street (2), 32

Cherry, Colchester Health Lab (2), ASA Bloomer SOB, VAEL Lab, and Middlesex General

Services have these devices.

b. These devices are to be used during the term of this contract. The State also reserves the right

to use other equipment that may be available to conserve on electrical, water, or chemical use as

part of this contract.

c. Along with the chemical free devices we install chemical system alongside to aid with corrosion

protection and can treat the tower with chemical in case the devices are not working properly.

The Chemical contractor will work with the Chemical free device contractor to assure the towers

are treated properly.

2.11 CHEMICALS

a. Provide and deliver the following chemicals at each site as required to maintain safe biological and

anti-corrosive levels in the tower water. The concentration level of chemicals to be lowest possible

to obtain the prescribed safe level.

b. Pollution Standards:

1. The bidder shall furnish the State of Vermont with product bulletins for each product

proposed that includes a complete description of the product and its purpose.

2. All chemicals recommended must meet pollution standards as required by the State

of Vermont. Blow down water must meet operating permit conditions

3. Company must be certified by VT Department of Agriculture

4. DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS: Effluent from the Water Treatment Program shall be

suitable for direct sewer discharge and meet the requirements of all applicable local, state

and national water quality standards. All chemicals used on site must comply with all the

applicable codes and laws governing their use.

c. SAFETY: MSDS for every proposed product must be submitted with the bid response. For all

micro biocides proposed for use at State facilities, a copy of the product (drum) label must be

submitted with the bid response.

d. Provide unit pricing for the above on the Bid Proposal Form. Unit pricing to be a delivered cost

to the State.

e. For every product recommended by the bidder, estimated annual consumption (in

pounds), PPM dosage, and cost per pound of product shall be provided in the proposal.

f. Corrosion and Scale Inhibitor

1. The Cooling Tower water shall be chemically treated with a liquid blend of scale control

agents and corrosion inhibitors. It shall not contain any heavy metals. The formulation may

require specific PH control. The tower blow down must meet discharge guidelines.

2. For controlling scale and corrosion, the chemical supplied must be one product formula

which can be fed neat. It must be proven effective in the control of corrosion of ferrous and

non-ferrous metals.

3. In the Fall or at the end of the colling season a lay-up corrosion inhibitor will be introduces

to the towers and piping systems.

g. Biocide Treatments

1. Two (2) liquid biocide products shall be fed to every condenser water system as required

to control bacteria and algae.

Revised: March 18, 2025

2. Use of an Oxidizing Biocide alternated with a Non Oxidizing Biocide Treatments is required.

h. All chemicals must be registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency as well as

registered with the State of Vermont, Department of Agriculture, Food & Markets, Plant

Industry Section (Pesticides).

i. Biocides shall not include compounds of phenol, cyanide, mercury, arsenic, and must be

effective in controlling biological growths at a pH above 8.0. Acceptable micro biocides are (or

equals):

• Isothiazolin 1.5%

• Dibromo nitrilopropionamide 5%

• Poly[oxyethylene(dimethyliminio) ethylene (dimethyliminio) ethylene dichloride]

• Glutaraldehyde Solution

• Stabilized liquid bromine

2.12 Delivery and Storage of Water Treatment Chemicals:

a. The Contractor shall provide descriptive literature on their proposed delivery system. The

deliveries of chemical treatments must be made by trained delivery specialists. The delivery

vehicle(s) must provide an integral spill containment system designed to contain a volume equal

to 110% of the largest delivery container utilized within the truck. Solid inhibitor chemistry can be

used on these towers.

b. Storage to be in double wall complete 110% capacity secondary containment type vessels.

c. The Contractor shall provide chemicals normally within ten days from the time of order. In

the event of an emergency chemical shall be provided within 48 hours.

d. Chemical storage tanks shall be sized to fit within existing chemical areas. The Contractor

maintains ownership and is responsible for maintaining and/or replacing all chemical tanks for

the length of this contract.

e. OLD CHEMICALS: All existing water treatment products should be disposed of properly by

this contractor.

f. Safety and Handling Procedures

1. The Contractor shall provide a hand off chemical delivery system to reduce and eliminate

State of Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services handling of water treatment

chemicals and drums. The Contractor delivery system shall utilize bag type dry chemicals or

as a minimum two-man delivery teams with dedicated truck. The delivery vehicle shall

provide an integral spill containment system capable of containing 110% of the largest

chemical container used for delivery. Delivery personnel shall be permanent, full time

employees of the water treatment supplier.

2. NOTE: Many State facilities delivery sites require transporting chemical treatments

inside occupied buildings before material may be pumped into Contractor supplied

storage tanks. Transporting containers up or down stairs may be required.

3. The in-plant chemical storage tanks furnished by the Contractor shall be double wall

providing 110% containment. Tank sizes will be selected by State of Vermont Department

of Buildings and General Services to best fit building space availability. Ownership and

maintenance of in plant water treatment storage tanks and accessories shall be the

responsibility of the successful Contractor.

4. The Contractor shall provide handling instructions for each proposed chemical, including

OSHA Material Safety Data Sheets. These must be submitted with the proposal.

5. The Contractor shall furnish EPA registration numbers for biocides as designated on product

labels. Submit with bid a copy of product label for each biocide proposed for use at each

State facility.

Revised: March 18, 2025

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

TITLE	QUESTIONS DUE	ANSWERS POSTED	DUE DATE	NO POSTING AFTER
Statewide Cooling Tower Treatment	02/19/2026 04:30PM		02/26/2026 04:30PM