TITLE
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH UNIVAR SOLUTIONS USA LLC FOR THE DISTRICTWIDE SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE
SPECIFICATION NO. P-25018
BODY
To: The Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District
I. Recommendation
Pursuant to Chapter XI, Section C.3.a. of the Code of the Chicago Park District (the “Code”), the Director of Purchasing and the Director of Facility Management recommended, notwithstanding the lack of complete Economic Disclosure Statements, that the Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District (the “Board”) authorize the General Superintendent or their designee to enter into a contract (the “Agreement”) with Univar Solutions USA LLC (the “Awardee”) for the districtwide supply and delivery of Sodium Hypochlorite. The Awardee was selected pursuant to a publicly advertised Invitation for Bids (“IFB”). No work may commence and no payment shall be made prior to the execution of the written Agreement.
II. Award Information
Awardee: Univar Solutions USA LLC
3705 Highland Parkway, Suite 200
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Company Type: Limited Liability Company
Majority Interest: Windsor Parallel Holdings II LLC 95%
Contract Period: One (1) year initial term with four (4) additional one (1) year extension options. If contract extension options are exercised, funding shall be based upon annual appropriations.
Contract Amount: Not to Exceed (NTE) $600,000.00 annually. The Agreement is a DUR (Depends Upon Requirements) contract, where the actual annual spending for the initial contract term and each contract extension term are based on the Park District’s identified needs and will be authorized by annual appropriation subject to each year’s budget.
Compliance
Goals: The Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise participation is in compliance for this proposed contract at 25% MBE and 5% WBE.
Scope of Services: For the supply and delivery of Sodium Hypochlorite for use at indoor and outdoor pools throughout the Chicago Park District, on an as-needed basis.
Authorization: Authorize the General Counsel to include other relevant terms and conditions in the written Agreement. Authorize the General Superintendent or their designee to execute the Agreement and the Secretary to attest as to the signing of the Agreement and keep an original copy of the Agreement on file.
III. Budget and Financial Information
Budget Classification: Operating
Fiscal Year: 2026
Source of Funds: 001.8485.8485.620010
IV. Procurement Information
Specification Number: P-25018
Date Advertised: January 23, 2026
Date Bids Due: February 13, 2026
Number of Bids Received: One (1)
Bid Evaluation Detail: Lowest responsible and responsive bidder
This contract was publicly advertised as an Invitation for Bids (“IFB”), and there was total of one (1) category for bid. One (1) bid was submitted and was received on the due date and time. The Department of Purchasing (“Purchasing”) reviewed all bids received and found one (1) bidder being both responsive & responsible. The Department of Facility Management reviewed the bid of the apparent lowest responsive bidder, and it has been determined that Univar Solutions USA LLC is the lowest responsible and responsive bidder.
V. Explanation
The Department of Facility Management (DFM) is responsible for the daily operation of 27 indoor pools, 50 outdoor pools, and over a dozen interactive water playgrounds, all of which require Sodium Hypochlorite to maintain safe and sanitary water conditions. The Chicago Park District purchases approximately 160,000 gallons of Sodium Hypochlorite annually, with delivery needs varying by facility. At some locations, the vendor’s delivery truck can access the building directly, while at others, curbside delivery is required and the product must be transferred via hose by safety-trained vendor personnel. These materials are essential to DFM staff in performing daily maintenance across districtwide aquatic facilities. Establishing this contract will allow DFM to obtain Sodium Hypochlorite efficiently and at fair, competitive pricing. Univar Solutions USA LLC has demonstrated the experience, capacity, and capability necessary to fulfill the requirements of this contract. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the Chicago Park District to award Univar Solutions USA LLC the contract for the districtwide supply and delivery of Sodium Hypochlorite.
Awardee has submitted an Economic Disclosure Statement (EDS). Awardee’s EDS discloses that its managing member is Nexeo Solutions LLC (Nexeo) and its 95% owner is Windsor Parallel Holdings II LLC (Windsor). Despite the EDS form’s instructions, Nexeo and Windsor have not provided EDSs. Awardee’s EDS includes an addendum stating that: (1) it is a “global organization with an extensive corporate structure”; (2) “[n]o individual owns 7.5% of the Applicant [i.e., Awardee]”; and (3) “[t]he Applicant [i.e., Awardee] is indirectly majority owned by investment funds managed by subsidiaries of Apollo Global Management, Inc. … [which] is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.” The addendum also provides a link to Apollo Global Management’s most recent comprehensive SEC filing (in keeping with EDS interpretive rules recently promulgated by the General Counsel pursuant to recent amendments to Chapter I of the Code).
VI. General Conditions
1) Conflicts: No agreement shall be legally binding on the Chicago Park District if entered into in violation of the provisions of 50 ILCS 105, the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act.
2) Ethics: The Agreement shall contain a provision requiring compliance with Chapter III of the Code (“Governmental Ethics”).
3) Contingent Liability: Any agreement lawfully entered into for a period of more than one year shall be executory only for the amounts for which the Park District may become liable in succeeding fiscal years pursuant to 70 ILCS 1505/17(i).
4) Economic Disclosure Statement (“EDS”): Awardee has not submitted full and complete EDSs prior to submission to the Board.