On Jan. 2, 2025, the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly Finance Committee voted to award a contract to refurbish a Steese fire tender to Hughes Fire Equipment Inc. The finance committee meeting took place in the Mona Lisa Drexler Assembly Chambers.

The contract award covers refurbishment and upgrades to a fire tender purchased in February 2007. Committee staff reported the competitive process was conducted "in compliance with our title 16 requirements" and that Hughes Fire Equipment Inc. submitted the lowest responsive, responsible bid of $371,985.

The committee debated procurement details before the vote. Assembly Member Matthew Guttenberg asked whether the contractor would perform the work in Oregon and whether the equipment would be shipped. A staff member replied that Hughes would perform the work in Oregon and that the tender "will be put on a barge in Anchorage and barged down." Guttenberg also asked whether only one bid was received; staff confirmed that it was.

Assembly Member Kelly moved to award IFB bid number 25054; Assembly Member Roterman seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll: Mr. Leginas, Mr. Guttenberg, Mr. Roterman, Ms. Kelly and Ms. Ruiz Ramos voted yes. The motion carried and the contract was awarded.

The staff report said there are relatively few firms nationwide that perform complete fire-tender refurbishments and that Hughes was the closest and most cost-competitive when shipping costs were included. The record shows the borough will transport the vehicle to Anchorage for barge shipment to the vendor.

The committee closed the item after the recorded vote.