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Panel awards bids for new school buses [Crossville Chronicle, Tenn.](Crossville Chronicle (TN) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Nov. 03--Two new school buses will be purchased for the county school system after bids were awarded Friday morning by the Cumberland County Financial Management Committee. Bids were submitted by Mid-South Bus Center of Murfreesboro, TN for a 2016 Thomas EFX at a rate of $89,940 plus $400 for computer and software and $450 for the camera system and by Central States Bus Sales of Lebanon, TN, for a 2016 Bluebird T3FE4004 at a rate of $88,400 plus $1,446 for camera system. "They both have the same engine and transmission and are 78 passenger. The Bluebird is $160 more. What we would like to do is purchase one of each type so we can compare how they are for our system and have a better idea next year," Bob Scarbrough, BOE maintenance and transportation director, said. "I think it's a good idea to do their own study and see what they like and what's better," Nancy Hyder, 2nd District commissioner, said. Hyder made a motion to award the bids and allow the purchase of one bus from each company. Hyder's motion was supported by Dave Hassler, 3rd District commissioner. It was unanimously approved. The funding to purchase the buses was included in the BOE's 2014-'15 fiscal year budget. The committee also approved, under stipulation with budget committee approval, the bids for two ambulance remounts on new chassis at a rate of $144,396. The lower bid was submitted by Southeastern Specialty Vehicles and is for a 2014 Chevrolet C3500 chassis. Other bids were submitted by Taylor Made Ambulances for a 2016 GMC Sierra at a total of $146,876; and Select-Tech, Inc. of Shelbyville, TN at a rate of $147,300 for a 2015 Chevrolet C3500. Cumberland County Fire Chief and EMS Director Jeff Dodson said he has worked with all three companies, but the last three ambulance remounts were with Select-Tech and the county has had good experience with them. "The problem is, when I got to looking at the budget, I thought I had upped it to $150,000 for the remounts, but it was actually $140,000, so I'm going to be a bit short," Dodson said. Cumberland County Finance Director Nathan Brock, said, "Without the appropriation, we can not award a bid. Only if it's contingent on going through the process of going back the budget committee and county commission." Rebecca Stone, 3rd District commissioner, asked if it would be appropriate to call the companies back and try to negotiate with them on a lower price. "Typically, that is only done with the lowest bidder only. It's not illegal, but it's frowned upon. They are all qualified," Brock said. Hassler said, "But the RFP was for a 2015." Hassler made a motion for the county to negotiate a lower price with Southeastern Specialty to meet the $140,000 budget amount. If not, then to go through the budget process to obtain the additional funds. Wendell Wilson, 6th District commissioner, supported the motion and it was unanimously approved. The committee also approved a low bid of $10,469 from ADA Station of Crossville to install closed circuit TV camera monitoring system at the Central Services Building for the Cumberland County Board of Education. Technology Director Jason Rockwell recommended ADA Station being awarded the bid based on price and the quality of equipment. Other bids submitted included $14,744.97 by North Central Security Services of Lafayette, TN, and $15,280 by Eberhart Electric of Crossville. The low bid was unanimously approved after a motion was made by Hassler. Hassler's motion was supported by Wilson. Committee members Donald Andrews, director of schools; Scott Blaylock, county highway superintendent; and Jack Davis, 5th District county commissioner, did not attend the meeting. Gary Nelson may be reached at [email protected] ___ (c)2014 the Crossville Chronicle (Crossville, Tenn.) Visit the Crossville Chronicle (Crossville, Tenn.) at crossville-chronicle.com/ Distributed by MCT Information Services |