Staff recommends that City Council approve the purchase of liquid calcium chloride from Thatcher at a unit price of $1.86 per gallon for an initial one-year term, with the option to extend purchases for up to two additional one-year terms upon mutual agreement between the City and Thatcher.

Council is requested to approve the purchase of liquid calcium chloride from Thatcher at a cost of $1.867 per gallon for an initial one-year term, with the option to extend for two additional one-year terms upon mutual agreement. Liquid calcium chloride is an essential component of the City's snow and ice control operations, with approximately 160,000 to 180,000 gallons used annually to maintain safe and passable roadways during winter conditions. Two bids were received, with Thatcher submitting the lowest responsible bid. Sufficient funding is available in the approved FY27 Street and Traffic budget to support the purchase.

The approved FY27 Street and Traffic budget includes funding for the purchase of liquid calcium chloride used as part of the City's annual snow and ice control operations. The Public Works Department applies liquid calcium chloride to City streets and roadways to help prevent and remove snow and ice accumulation, improve roadway conditions, and maintain safe and passable streets during winter weather events.

Liquid calcium chloride is an important component of the City's winter maintenance program. It is used as a deicing agent to help break the bond between snow and ice and the pavement surface, making removal more effective. It can also be used to pre-treat roadways ahead of anticipated winter weather events to reduce ice formation and improve the effectiveness of snow removal operations. Unlike traditional rock salt, calcium chloride remains effective at lower temperatures, providing crews with an additional tool to address challenging winter conditions. The amount of liquid calcium chloride used each season varies depending on the frequency, duration, and severity of winter weather events. On average, the City uses approximately 160,000 to 180,000 gallons annually. Maintaining an adequate and reliable supply is essential to ensuring that Street and Traffic crews can respond efficiently to changing winter weather conditions and maintain roadway safety throughout the season.

The City solicited competitive bids for the purchase of liquid calcium chloride, with advertisements published in the Yellowstone County News and on the City's website on September 18 and September 25, 2026. Bids were opened on October 6, 2026, and two bids were received. Thatcher submitted the lowest responsible bid at a unit price of $1.86 per gallon.

The following bids were received:
 

Vendor	Thatcher	Envirotech
Year 1	$1.867 per gallon	$3.75 per gallon
Year 2	$1.923 per gallon	$3.83 per gallon
Year 3	$1.981 per gallon	$3.93 per gallon

Funding for liquid calcium chloride is included in the FY27 Street and Traffic budget.  There is sufficient budget to award this bid. 

City Council may:

• Approve the award for the purchase of the calcium chloride liquid; or,
• Not approve the purchase.  If the purchase is not approved, the Public Works Department will have to use other methods to clear the snow and ice costing more time or resources and may cause safety concerns.