Rock Asphalt

Hillsborough County intends to award a sole source contract to Blades Group LLC for the purchase of Rock Asphalt over a three-year period at an estimated cost of $246,192.00, with the possibility of extension, scope adjustment, or increased funding based on evolving needs. The material, a naturally occurring limestone infused with asphalt, offers superior cohesion—three to five times better than standard cold mix—resulting in significantly reduced raveling and more durable road repairs. This procurement is justified under Section 3-205(2)(a) of the County’s Procurement Policy because Blades Group LLC is the only known provider of this uniquely mined and bagged material in the hemisphere. The solicitation, identified as SS-26-00280, was posted on May 27, 2026, with challenges due by June 3, 2026, submitted exclusively through the EUNA Procurement portal; no competitive bidding is anticipated absent a valid challenge. The material must meet strict technical specifications including naturally impregnated bitumen content of 4.0–7.0% for native LRA and 5.0–8.5% for fine aggregate, with compliance verified through standardized tests such as Tex-200-F, Tex-220-F, Tex-410-A, and Tex-411-A. Quality control is the contractor’s responsibility, while quality assurance is performed by the County’s Materials and Tests Division, which may suspend production for noncompliance. All shipments require electronic reporting using County-provided software, and material must originate exclusively from aggregates listed in the Department’s Bituminous Rated Source Quality Catalog. Performance is tied to consistent adherence to gradation, stability, and deleterious material limits, with no pre-coating, blending, or lime addition permitted without explicit approval. Delivery occurs throughout Florida, with no formal FOB terms specified but contractual language indicating contractor risk during transit. The County reserves the right to modify the contract terms, and there is no structured CLIN or SLIN pricing format—only a total estimated value. No formal FAR clauses, federal accounting codes, invoicing protocols, COR/COTR assignments, or offeror certifications are included, as the procurement operates under county-specific authority and technical directives rather than federal acquisition frameworks.