Kentucky city Purchases Water Treatment Chemicals through Reverse Auction Process

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Kentucky city Purchases Water Treatment Chemicals through Reverse Auction Process

A Kentucky city engaged BidBridge for the purchase of eight chemicals, 7 being used to treat the city’s drinking water and one for sewer treatment.

The eight line items included:

Hydrofluosilicic Acid (price per drum)

Potassium Permanganate (price per drum)

Liquid Alum (price per dry ton)

Alum (per 50 lb bag)

Mississippi Rotary Lime (price per 50 lb bag)

Powdered Activated Carbon (price per 50 lb bag)

Bulk Powder Activated Carbon (price per pound)

Sodium Aluminates Solution (price per pound)

A total of seven suppliers competed in the event, with participation ranging from three to five suppliers on each element.  The most competitive element was the bulk powder activated carbon.  A total of 55 bids were placed, resulting in 29 first place turnovers and 89 time extensions.  At the conclusion of the two hour, three minute event, first and second place were separated by only .10%, indicating true market value was achieved.

Nearly every line item on the event produced less than 2% between first and second place.  At the conclusion, the buyer felt confident she received true market value for the chemicals the city intended to purchase.