Anchorage water chemical records list two different bidder names

Two Bidder Names in One Solicitation

A July 17 memo from Maria Lewis, expediter in the Anchorage Water & Wastewater Utility's Operations and Maintenance Division, recommended awarding the contract to Alaska Garden and Pet Supply. "Alaska Garden and Pet Supply was found to be the lowest, responsive, and responsible bid," Lewis wrote. The memo was addressed to Purchasing Director Chris Hunter through General Manager David A. Persinger and Treatment Division Director Jeff Axmann.

The Assembly memorandum that Mayor Suzanne LaFrance submitted for the Aug. 4 meeting recommends awarding the same solicitation to Alaska Mill & Feed. The records leave the intended awardee unresolved. The dollar figures match exactly: $849,940 the first year, $915,460 the second and $980,980 the third, for a total not-to-exceed value of about $2.75 million running through July 31, 2029. The records do not establish whether the two names refer to separate legal entities, related businesses or the same bidder. The solicitation is listed as ITB 2026B054.

What the Contract Covers

The contract supplies DelPAC, a primary coagulant used at the Eklutna and Ship Creek water treatment facilities. It is an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity agreement, meaning the utility buys as needed with no guaranteed minimum quantity, work or payment. AWWU serves roughly 225,000 people. Two other bids came in higher. Univar Solutions bid about $3.6 million, and Pacific Rim Chemicals bid about $4.65 million.