Tunica County opened three bid packages for one or more 2025-or-newer class 8 tandem-axle and tri-axle dump trucks at its Aug. 4 meeting and voted to take the bids under advisement until Aug. 18 to clarify buyback, warranty and term options.

Why it matters: The county’s road and bridge fleet replacement and buyback options affect capital outlay and operational readiness for winter maintenance and road work.

County staff read three bids into the record: one bid listed a delivery amount of $211,608.55 with optional extended-warranty prices (for example a 4-year/250,000-mile warranty for $7,625 and a 5-year/300,000-mile warranty for $11,135); another Tri State bid listed delivery at $207,028.57 and specified 1-year and 3-year buyback prices (for example a 1-year buyback of $160,000 and a 3-year buyback of $130,000); a third bid listed an offer of $205,000 delivery with 1-year buyback $190,000 and 3-year buyback $175,000. County staff said some bidders provided only one- and two-year buyback values and that the board could not legally accept inconsistent buyback term formats without clarification.

A motion to take the bids under advisement until the Aug. 18 meeting carried unanimously. Staff will return with clarified bids and corrected buyback/warranty options for board consideration.

What’s next: Procurement staff will request clarifications from bidders and present a clean comparison at the Aug. 18 meeting.