Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD/CBOD) Automated Analyzer

The City of St. Petersburg, through its Water Resources Department, is seeking quotes from qualified vendors to supply and implement an automated Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD/CBOD) analytical system for its environmental laboratory. The system will be used for continuous compliance testing required by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the City's Water Reclamation Facilities (WRFs), as well as for the Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP) and SWAMP requirements. Currently, all BOD/CBOD analysis is performed manually in-house, a labor-intensive process that operates 365 days per year.

The existing manual process involves a multi-step analytical procedure: individual sample preparation, aliquoting into analysis containers for appropriate dilutions, manual addition of reagents and dilution water, measurement of initial Dissolved Oxygen (DO), five-day incubation under controlled conditions, final DO measurement, calculation of oxygen demand, and manual data entry into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). This process requires approximately six hours per batch for setup and completion of readings, with 30 to 60 samples per batch. The manual approach is repetitive, time-consuming, and prone to calculation and transcription errors.

The proposed automated system must be capable of automatically recording all dilutions, reagent additions, and analytical measurements; performing all required calculations; and transmitting results directly to the LIMS. The key requirement is to reduce total setup and reading time to two hours or less, thereby significantly increasing laboratory efficiency and freeing staff for other tasks. The system must also enhance data integrity by minimizing human error associated with manual data handling. The City has released this Request for Quote (RFQ) as a purchase-type solicitation with a proposal deadline of July 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM UTC. Questions regarding the solicitation must be submitted by July 16, 2026 at 9:00 PM UTC. The solicitation includes attachments such as subcontractor utilization plans, bonds, and a technology agreement.

This RFQ presents an opportunity for vendors specializing in laboratory automation for water and wastewater testing to deliver a proven, reliable solution. The contract will be awarded based on evaluation criteria detailed in the solicitation. The City encourages participation from qualified vendors and has included provisions for business enterprise programs. Interested parties should review the full solicitation and all attachments on the City's procurement portal.