Caustic Soda-2027

TOWN OF
NORTH KINGSTOWN, RHODE ISLAND
100 FAIRWAY DRIVE
NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI 02852-6202
PHONE: (401) 294-3331
FAX: (401) 583-7145
www.northkingstownri.gov
INVITATION FOR BIDS
TOWN OF NORTH KINGSTOWN -WATER DEPARTMENT
LIQUID CAUSTIC SODA, ANNUAL SUPPLY
*Sealed proposals for the above will be accepted in the Office of Purchasing/Finance, Town
of North Kingstown Municipal Offices, 100 Fairway Drive, North Kingstown, RI 02852, until
May 22, 2026 10:00am, and will then be publicly opened read aloud. The Municipal Offices
are opened 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. Please plan accordingly.
NO BIDS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE MAY 22, 2026
10:00AM DEADLINE.
All questions are to be submitted in writing via email ONLY to: Tim McDavitt,
Purchasing/Finance-tmcdavitt@northkingstownri.gov) NO LATER than Friday at
4:00 pm in order to post any necessary Addendum in a timely manner. NO
QUESTIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS DATE.
IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS TO MONITOR
THE TOWN AND/OR STATE OF RHODE ISLAND PURCHASING AND/OR
BIDNETDIRECT.COM WEBSITES FOR ANY SUBSEQUENT BID ADDENDUM.
NO ADDENDA WILL BE ISSUED OR POSTED WITHIN FORTY-EIGHT (48)
HOURS OF THE BID SUBMISSION DEADLINE.
The bid will be evaluated as to R.I.G.L. 45-55-5. (2) "Competitive Sealed Bidding" and the
award shall be made on the basis of the lowest evaluated or responsive bid price.
A certificate of Insurance showing $1 million General Liability and $1 million Any Auto,
with the Town being named as an additional insured, Worker's Compensation, with a waiver
of subrogation will be required of the successful bidder.

The Town of North Kingstown reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or parts thereof;
to waive any formality in same, or accept any proposal deemed to be in the best interest of the
Town.
The Town of North Kingstown will provide interpreters for the hearing impaired at any pre-
bid or bid opening, provided a request is received three (3) days prior to said meeting by
calling 294- 3331, ext. 142.
*PLEASE SUBMIT AN ORIGINAL AND ONE (1) ELECTRONIC COPY (Thumb
Drive).
SELECTION CRITERIA
The bid will be evaluated as to R.I.G.L. 45-55-5. (2) "Competitive Sealed Bidding", and the
award shall be made on the basis of the lowest evaluated or responsive bid price.
The following factors will be considered in determining the lowest evaluated or
responsive bid price:
Bid Price
Warranty/Guarantee
Response time for emergency deliveries
Early payment discount
NOTE: IN OUR ONGOING EFFORTS TO PREVENT FRAUDULANT ACTIVITY,
ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
A COPY OF THE VENDOR'S W-9

TOWN OF NORTH KINGSTOWN, RHODE ISLAND
INFORMATION FOR BIDDERS
ARTICLE 1. RECEIPT AND OPENING OF BIDS
Sealed bids must be submitted in SEALED ENVELOPES, addressed to the Town of
North Kingstown Municipal Office Building, ATTN: Purchasing/Finance, 100 Fairway
Drive, North Kingstown, Rhode Island 02852, and clearly marked with the name of the
item bid, and the date and time of opening. Bids will be received by the Purchasing Agent
up to the specified time as noted on the Invitation to Bid/Request for Proposal, and publicly
opened and read aloud at the specified time. The Town of North Kingstown will
respectfully follow any Covid-19 guidelines in place at the time of opening.
Proposals submitted for a specified item must not be combined under the same cover
with any other bid item.
It is the bidder's responsibility to see that their bid is delivered within the time and at
the place prescribed. Proposals received prior to the time of opening will be date/time
stamped and securely kept unopened. No responsibility will attach to any officer or person
for the premature opening of a proposal not properly addressed and identified.
Bids may be withdrawn personally or by written request at any time prior to the time
specified for the opening. Bids may be modified in the same manner. Negligence on the part
of the bidder in preparing the bid confers no right of withdrawal or modifications to bid after
such bid has been opened.
Any bid received after the time and date specified shall not be considered, by
messenger or by mail, even if it is determined by the Town that such non-arrival before the
time set for opening was due solely to delay in the mails for which the bidder is not
responsible. Conditional or qualified bids will not be accepted.
ARTICLE 2. PREPARATION OF BID
Each bid must be submitted on the prescribed form. All blank spaces for bid
prices must be filled in, in ink or typewritten, both in words and figures. Erasures or other
changes must be explained or noted over the signature of the bidder.
Each bid must be submitted in sealed envelopes, clearly labeled, so as to guard
against opening prior to the time set therefore.
The Town may consider any bid not prepared and submitted in accordance
with the provisions hereof and reserves the right to reject any or all proposals in whole or in
part, toward any item, group of items, or total bid; to waive any technical defect or formality
in same, or to accept any proposal deemed to be in the best interest of the Town.

ARTICLE 3. TELEGRAPHIC MODIFICATION
Telephonic, telegraphic, or oral bids, amendments or withdrawals will not be accepted.
ARTICLE 4. WITHDRAWAL OF BIDS
Bids may be withdrawn personally or by written request at any time prior to
the time specified for the opening. Bids may be modified in the same manner. Negligence
on the part of the bidder in preparing the bid confers no right of withdrawal or
modifications to bid after such bid has been opened.
ARTICLE 5. QUALIFICATIONS OF THE BIDDER
The Town reserves the right to request each bidder to present evidence that they are
normally engaged in purveying the type of product, service, or equipment bid on. No bid
shall be considered from bidders who are unable to show that they are normally engaged in
purveying the type of product or equipment specified in the bid proposal.
To receive full consideration, the bidder must submit literature and necessary
details, when applicable, on the material or service he proposes to furnish in order that the
Town may have full information available when analyzing the proposals.
ARTICLE 6. OBLIGATIONS OF THE BIDDER
It is the responsibility of the bidder to have inspected the Specifications and Contract
Documents (including all addenda) which have been posted on the Town of North
Kingstown, State of Rhode Island Purchasing websites and Bidnetdirect.com. The failure or
omission of any bidder to receive or examine any form, instrument, document or to inspect
any item specified as a Trade-in shall (if applicable) in no way relieve any bidder from any
obligation in respect to their bid.
When applicable, each bidder must inform themselves fully of the conditions relating
to the construction of the project and the employment of labor thereon. Failure to do so will
not relieve a successful bidder of their obligation to furnish all material and labor necessary
to carry out the provisions of their contract. Insofar as possible the contractor, in carrying out
the work, must employ such methods or means as will not cause any interruption of or
interference with the work of any other contractor.
Any exceptions or deviations from the provisions contained in this specification must
be explained in detail and attached to proposal. If such deviations do not depart from the intent
of this notice and are in the best interest of the Town, the proposal will receive careful
consideration.
ARTICLE 7. BID SECURITY IS TO BE 5% OF THE CONTRACT PRICE.(NA)

ARTICLE 8. "OR EQUAL" BIDDING
The Town intends to permit liberal scope in bidding and specifically does not intend to
limit bidding to any make or model. Whenever a material, article or piece of equipment is
identified by reference to manufacturers' or vendors' names, trade names, catalogue numbers,
etc., it is intended merely to establish a standard; and any proposed material, article, or
equipment of other manufacturers and vendors which will perform adequately the duties
imposed by the general design will be considered equally acceptable provided it is in the
opinion of the Town to be of equal substance and function.
ARTICLE 9. PRICES
Bidders shall state the proposed price in the manner as designated in the Bid Proposal
Form. In the event that there is a discrepancy between unit prices and the extended totals, the
unit prices shall govern. In the event that there is a discrepancy between the price written in
words and written in figures, the prices written in words shall govern.
The prices in this bid shall be irrevocable for ninety (90) days, or until the bid is
awarded by the Town Council. After award by the Town Council, said prices shall then remain
firm for the duration of the Contract.
In the event a column headed "Vendor's Offering" is provided in the bid proposal, enter
your offering, compliance, or non-compliance in each space. DO NOT enter dollar amounts.
ARTICLE 10. TAX EXEMPTIONS
The Town is exempt from payment of the Rhode Island Sales Tax under the 1956
General Laws of the State of Rhode Island, 44-18-30 Para. I, as amended. The Town is exempt
from payment of Federal Excise Taxes. The prices bid must be exclusive of taxes and will be
so construed. Exemption certificates will be completed as required by the successful bidder.
ARTICLE 11. DELIVERY
Delivery shall be F.O.B. North Kingstown, Rhode Island or as specified on the Bid
Proposal Form.
ARTICLE 12. CONTRACT PERIOD AND TERM OF AGREEMENT (When
Applicable to Bid)
Contract period is found in the Standard Form of Agreement. If financially
advantageous to the Town of North Kingstown, these contracts may be renewed or extended,
from time to time, when agreed to, in writing, by both parties.

ARTICLE 13. LABOR REGULATIONS (When Applicable to Bid)
The following paragraphs regarding nondiscrimination in employment shall be included and
become part of these specifications:
a. Contractors shall comply with the provisions of the General
Laws of Rhode Island and attention is called to Title 37, Chapter
13, Section 1-16, relative to the payment of wages, obligations,
and charges by Contractors on public works projects.
b. Non-resident Contractors are subject to Section 44-1-6 of the
Rhode Island General Laws, as amended. (OUT OF STATE
CONTRACTORS.)
c. The successful bidder will be required to comply with the Davis-
Bacon Act (40USC 2 to a-7) as supplemented by Department of
Labor regulations (29CFR Part 5).
d. The successful bidder will be required to comply with the
Contract Works Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 USC 327-
330) as supplemented by Dept. of Labor Regulations (29CFR,
Part 5).
e. The successful bidder will be required to comply with Executive
Order 11246, entitled Equal Employment Opportunity, as
amended, and as supplemented in Department of Labor
regulations (41 CFR Part 60).
f. The successful bidder will be required to comply with the
Copeland "Anti-Kickback" Act (18 USC 874) as supplemented
in Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR, Part 3).
g. The successful bidder will be required to comply with the Safety
and Health regulations (29 CFR, Part 1926, and all subsequent
amendments) as promulgated by the Department of Labor.
h. The successful bidder will be required to comply with Title VI
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ( P.L. 88-352).
ARTICLE 14. SAFETY STANDARDS AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION (When
Applicable to Bid)
With respect to all work performed under this contract, the contractor shall:
a. Comply with the safety standards provisions of applicable laws,
building and construction codes, and the "Manual of Accident
Prevention in Construction" published by the Associated General
Contractors of America, the requirements of the Occupational Safety
and Health Act of 1970 (Public Law 91-596), and the requirements of
Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1518 as published
in the "Federal Register", Volume 36, No. 75, Saturday, April 17, 1971.
b. Exercise every precaution at all times for the prevention of
accidents and the protection of persons (including employees) and
property.

c. Maintain at their office or other well-known place at the job site,
all articles necessary for giving first aid to the injured and shall make
arrangements for the immediate removal to a hospital or a doctor's care
of persons (including employees), who may be injured on the job site.
In no case shall employees be permitted to work at a job site before the
employer has made a standing arrangement for removal of injured
persons to a hospital or a doctor's care.
d. Bidders are informed that the Project is subject to the requirements
of Section 292.675. RSMO, which requires all contractors or sub-
contractors doing work on the Project to provide, and require its on-site
employees to complete, a ten (10) hour) course in construction safety
and health approved by the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration ("OSHA") or a similar program which is at least as
stringent as an approved OSHA program. The training must be
Completed within sixty (60) days of the date of work on the Project
commences. On-site employees found on the worksite without
documentation of the required training shall have twenty (20) days to
produce such documentation.
ARTICLE 15. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS (When Applicable to Bid)
The Vendor/Contractor shall assume responsibility and liability for all injuries to
persons or damages to property, directly or indirectly due to, or arising out of, their operations
under the contract and shall be responsible for the proper care and protection of all work
performed until completion and final acceptance by the Town.
The Vendor/Contractor shall also indemnify and save harmless the Town of North
Kingstown against any and all claims of whatever kind and nature due to, or arising out of, their
breach or failure to perform any of the terms, conditions, or covenants of the contract resulting
from acceptance of their bid.
The Contractor shall furnish the Purchasing Agent with certificates of insurance from
companies acceptable to the Town of North Kingstown. All insurance companies listed on
certificates must be licensed to do business in the State of Rhode Island. The Vendor/Contractor
shall provide a certificate of insurance as specified on the bid proposal form attached. Contracts
of insurance (covering all operations under this contract) shall be kept in force until the
Vendor's/Contractor's work is acceptable by the Town.
1. (R) Commercial General Liability - Occurrence Form $1,000,000/$1,000,000.
2. (R) Automobile Liability - $1,000,000. With both of the above naming the
Town as additional insured.
T h e l i m i t s o f t h e i n s u r a n c e m u s t b e a t l e a s t i n t h e a m o u n t s s p e c i f i e d b e l o w ; *

3. (R) Worker's Compensation (if legally allowed and available). Waiver of
subrogation applies to Worker's Compensation
4. (NR) Professional Liability - $1,000,000.00
5. (NR) Asbestos Liability - $1,000,000.00
*Sample Certificate of Insurance attached (R) REQUIRED (NR) Not Required
The Vendor/Contractor shall secure, pay for and maintain insurance as necessary to
protect himself against loss of owned or rented capital equipment and tools, with provision for
waiver of subrogation against the Owner, and shall secure, pay for and maintain insurance as
necessary to protect against errors and omissions which may result from this project.
When applicable, the Vendor/Contractor shall require similar insurance in the above
amounts to be taken out and maintained by each sub-contractor. The Vendor/Contractor shall
be fully responsible for the acts and omissions of their sub-contractors and of persons employed
either directly or indirectly by him/her. Nothing contained in the contract shall create any
contractual relation between any sub- contractor and the Town of North Kingstown.
ARTICLE 16. PERFORMANCE BOND & LABOR AND MATERIAL PAYMENT
BOND (When Applicable to Bid)
The successful bidder will be required to furnish the Town with a performance Bond
and Labor and Material Payment Bond, each in the amount of 100% of the contract price, as
security for faithful performance of the Contract and executed by a surety company licensed to
do business in the State of Rhode Island and approved by the Town. The failure of the successful
bidder to supply the required Bonds within a time specified or within such extended period as
the Town of North Kingstown may grant based upon reasons determined sufficient by the
Town, shall constitute a default, and the Town may either award the contract to the next lowest
bidder or re-advertise for bids
ARTICLE 17. LAWS, ORDINANCES AND CODES
All applicable Federal and State Laws, Ordinances and Codes of the Town of North
Kingstown, Federal Labor Standards, and regulations of all authorities having jurisdiction over
this Project shall apply to this contract the same as though written herein in full.
The Town of North Kingstown will not award the Contract to any Contractor who is, at
the time ineligible under the provisions of any applicable regulations issued by the Secretary of
Labor, United State Department of Labor, or is not qualified under applicable Ordinances of the
Town of North Kingstown, or the laws of the State of Rhode Island.

ARTICLE 18. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES (When Applicable to Bid)
The successful bidder, upon their failure or refusal to execute and deliver the contract
and bonds required within 10 days after he received notice of the acceptance of their bid, shall
forfeit to the Owner, as liquidated damages for such failure or refusal, the security deposited
with their Bid.
Failure on the part of the Contractor to complete the project within the agreed time
schedule will result in a liquidated damage cost of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per day,
excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, to the Contractor, until completion (final
Acceptance), excluding warranty periods. The Town may apply liquidated damage costs to
current payment requests not yet paid.
ARTICLE 19. POWER OF ATTORNEY (When Applicable to Bid)
Power of Attorney: Attorneys-in-fact who sign bid bonds or contract bonds must file
with each bond a certified and effectively dated copy of their power of attorney.
ARTICLE 20. NOTICE OF SPECIAL CONDITIONS (When Applicable to Bid)
Attention is particularly called to those parts of the contract documents and specifications which
deal with the following:
a. Inspection and testing of materials
b. Insurance requirements
c. Wage rates
d. Stated allowances
ARTICLE 21. METHOD OF AWARD - LOWEST QUALIFIED BIDDER (When
Applicable to Bid)
If at the time this contract is to be awarded, the lowest bid submitted by a responsible
bidder does not exceed the amount of funds then estimated by the Owner as available to finance
the contract, the contract will be awarded. If such bid exceeds such amount, the Owner may
reject all bids. The awarding authority will not award this contract unless the Contractor
furnishes satisfactory evidence of his/her ability and experience to perform this work, and that
he/she has sufficient capital and equipment to enable him/her to complete the work successfully
and to complete it within the time named in the contract. Pre-bid conferences may or may not
be scheduled; therefore, it will be the responsibility of each bidder to visit the site and be
familiarized. The Town of North Kingstown can reject any bid of a Contractor who has not
visited the work site.
As part of the bid, the Contractor must submit a list of ten similar and successfully
completed jobs, whose relevance to the proposed job shall be deemed by the awarding authority.
The name, address, and telephone number of a contact person involved with each of these
projects must be included so they can be investigated prior to the award of the contract.

BID SPECIFICATIONS
The Town of North Kingstown, Rhode Island invites interested chemical supply
companies to submit bids for supplying liquid caustic soda. The chemical is for the use
at various potable drinking water supply wells that serve the Town.
All prices submitted shall be unit prices for delivered gallons of specified chemical to the
wells.
Off-loading of the chemical to bulk storage tanks at each of the wells is a requirement of
the bid.
There are nine (9) well sites. Six (6 ) of the sites contain one 750-gallon bulk storage tank
each, one site contains two 405 gallon bulk storage tanks and two (2) sites contain two
(2) 750-gallon bulk storage tanks each. All are fitted with a two-inch quick connect
fitting. Delivery must commence prior to 10AM on the delivery date. If delivery is
delayed beyond 10AM, the Town of North Kingstown can, at our discretion, refuse
to accept said delivery with no penalty. Continued late arrival of delivery shall
constitute grounds for contract termination.
The successful supplier shall comply with all applicable Federal and State laws regarding
the transport and transfer of hazardous materials. In addition, prior to the issuance of a
purchase order, the supplier must provide all other information as requested by the
Purchasing Agent of the Town as part of the bid package.
SPECIFICATION: Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) Caustic Soda 50% by weight, for use in
the treatment of drinking water.
Estimated quantity: It is estimated that delivery shall be bi-weekly to top off bulk storage
tanks or as needed. Delivered quantities typically range from 1,500 gallons to 5,000
gallons delivered to nine (9) separate well sites located throughout the Town with
bulk storage tanks as described above. Delivery driver should be prepared to provide
the water system operator receiving the delivery with a one-quart sample in a clear glass
bottle for visual inspection prior to the initial off-load.
The anhydrous caustic soda, before dilution, shall contain a minimum of 74.4 %
alkalinity as Na O; 96% sodium hydroxide as NaOH; and not more than 2% carbonate as
2
Na CO .
2 3