Summary Sheet- RFCA SUMMARY

CITY OF TEMPE
Meeting Date: 4/30/2026  
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Agenda Item: 8A4
ACTION: Award one-year contracts with four, one-year renewal options to KAAM Group Co and Reliant 
Gases, LTD. for the supply of refrigerated liquid carbon dioxide used in the processing of drinking water.
FISCAL IMPACT: The total cost of the one-year contracts will not exceed $1,000,000. Sufficient funds 
have been appropriated in the Water and Wastewater Fund, Cost Center 3013 (Johnny G. Martinez 
W.T.P.), and 3014 (South Tempe W.T.P.) for anticipated expenditures during the current fiscal year and 
next fiscal year, contingent upon City Council approval of the City’s annual budget.
RECOMMENDATION:  Award the contracts.
 
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:  (RFP 26-101) The City issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to 
establish a term contract for the supply of refrigerated liquid carbon dioxide. This chemical is used in the 
process of drinking water treatment to lower the pH, which improves the efficiency of the water treatment 
process.  
Evaluation Process 
The RFP was published on February 5, 2026, to all registered firms for this commodity area.  A total of 
35 firms downloaded the solicitation from the City’s e-procurement portal resulting in the submission of 
six proposals from the following firms.

H20 Chem, LLC

KAAM Group Co

Linde, Inc.

Reliant Gases

Syoxsa, Inc.

WestAir Gases & Equipment, Inc.
The responses were reviewed and scored by a committee comprised of Water Utilities and Procurement 
staff in accordance with the evaluation criteria shown below.
#
Evaluation Criteria
Weight 
1
Firm’s Capabilities and Resources
10
2
Proposed Product – Overall quality of product and compliance with 
specification.
30
3
Experience and References - Ability of references to demonstrate a level 
of competence in providing the product contained in the RFP.
20
4
Pricing and the ability of firm to offer a longer price hold than the 
required twelve (12) months.
30
5
Acceptance and Compliance of RFP Terms and Conditions.
5
6
Overall responsiveness to RFP. 
5

2
Results of the evaluation are presented in the table below that shows the competing firms in rank order.  
Both KAAM and Reliant Gases were invited to provide best and final offers to improve their proposals.  
KAAM reduced their price $10.00 per ton.  Reliant remained unchanged.
#
Evaluation Criteria
Weig
ht
KAAM 
Group 
Co
Reliant 
Gases, 
LTD.
Linde 
Inc.
SYOXS
A, Inc.
H20CHE
M, LLC
WestAir 
Gases & 
Equipment, 
Inc.
1
Firm’s Capabilities and 
Resources
10
100
100
100
100
100
100
2
Overall quality of 
product and compliance 
with specification
30
300
300
300
300
300
300
3
Experience and 
References
20
200
200
180
180
180
180
4
Pricing-and the ability of 
firm to offer a longer 
price hold than the 
required 12 months
30
300
240
270
210
150
90
5
Acceptance and 
Compliance of RFP 
Terms and Conditions
5
50
45
25
50
35
50
6
Overall responsiveness 
5
50
50
50
50
40
50
 
Total
1000
935
925
890
805
770
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
Price per ton
$323 
$427 
$370 
$460 
$645 
$1,300 
Recommendation: 
After careful review, the evaluation committee recommends awarding one-year contracts to KAAM 
Group Co and Reliant Gases, LTD. for the supply of refrigerated liquid carbon dioxide.  KAAM will 
be the primary source of supply and Reliant Gases will be a backup source in the event of any 
supply shortages in the industry.
ATTACHMENTS: Vendor Offer    
STAFF CONTACT(S):  Craig Caggiano, Deputy Public Works Director - Water, (480) 858-2160
Department Director:  Laura Calder, Financial Services Director  
Legal review by:  Dave Park, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Prepared by:  Eric Kraenzle, Senior Procurement Officer