Agua y Saneamientos Argentinos S.A. (AySA) announced a call for tender for the operation and maintenance of the Polyaluminum Chloride (PAC) Production Plant and the supply of this essential input in the water purification and wastewater treatment process.
In order to ensure a transparent process, the company has reformulated its tender requirements to encourage greater participation from both national and international companies.
Given recent changes to the Ley de Compre Nacional (Buy Argentine Law), AySA now meets all legal requirements to open the tender to international bidders. Foreign companies are now allowed to participate in the process, as long as they meet with technical, economic/financial and legal requirements established in the bidding documents.
Among the main requirements, the bidding company must present verifiable experience in plant operation and demonstrate all needed technical and economic capabilities to manage a plant with similar characteristics to AySA´s PAC Plant, with estimated production of 7,000 tons per month. In addition, the winning supplier will be responsible for operating costs, comprehensive plant maintenance and the supply of raw materials.
In terms of staffing, proven experience in operating chemical production plants with similar production processes is required, rather than just specific experience in coagulant production. This expands the range of companies eligible for the tender.
In addition, new tender terms now will let bidders prove financial solvency through loans or other types of financing, effectively allowing them to qualify without meeting strict sales thresholds.
Another important modification is related to certifications. Valid mandatory certificates will be required by time of issuance of the purchase order rather than pre-award, allowing participating bidders for extra time fulfilling this requirement.
PAC is a chemical compound used as a coagulant in the treatment of drinking water and wastewater. It is used to remove suspended particles, organic matter and other contaminants present in water. Polyaluminum chloride (PAC) is used as the main coagulant for the coagulation stage in the three AySA water plants – General San Martín (CABA), General Belgrano (Quilmes) and Juan Manuel de Rosas (Tigre) –.
In water treatment, PAC is added to raw water to form larger particles called “flocs”, which trap and aggregate the particles and contaminants present in water. Flocs then settle, allowing for separation of solids and contaminants from the water. This process significantly reduces turbidity and the presence of microorganisms in the water.
By adopting new, open and improved procedures in the supply of PAC, AySA seeks at promoting innovation through fair and transparent processes, while encouraging bidders to propose more advanced and higher-quality solutions for maintenance and operation of its plant.
More info: Public National and International Tender No. 63567/2025
