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Franklin County opens bids for midsize SUV; two dealerships respond, staff to review
Summary
The county opened bids for a midsize SUV to replace aging sheriff's office vehicles. Bonner Chevrolet submitted a $57,110 bid for a 2025 model; Andrew Chevrolet submitted $59,813 for a 2026 model. Staff will complete specification review and recommend an award at the commissioners' meeting on the 16th.
Franklin County officials opened two bids for a midsize SUV the sheriff’s office plans to use for field operations, transport of firearms to the armory, extraditions and administrative duties. Bids were received from Bonner Chevrolet and Andrew Chevrolet; staff will review specifications and return a recommendation at the commissioners’ next meeting on the 16th.
Chief Deputy Daniel Foy of the sheriff’s office told commissioners the vehicle will replace aging fleet vehicles and will be used when staff prefer an unmarked vehicle for transporting firearms or inmates during multi-state travel. Procurement director Robin Harmon explained the county’s public bid process: county code requires advertising bids in a local newspaper and posting on the public-purchase portal so any qualified dealer can respond. Harmon said procurement evaluates responsiveness and that the county generally awards to the lowest responsive, qualified bidder.
Bonner Chevrolet submitted a bid for a 2025 model priced at $57,110; Andrew Chevrolet submitted a bid for a 2026 model priced at $59,813. Staff noted differences in model year and exterior/interior colors that will be checked during review; the Bonner bid listed exterior white with black interior and the higher bid listed sterling gray exterior with black interior. Staff also noted that an offered approved-equivalent (a Kia) would not accommodate a prisoner cage and therefore would not meet the specification.
Procurement staff said the purchase for this vehicle is funded by a grant (presenter described it as a grant with additional requirements stricter than county code), which prompted the office to follow a conservative bid procedure. Commissioners and staff discussed that county code generally prohibits negotiating down an individual bid price once bids are opened; options available are to reject all bids or find them nonresponsive.
Review work on specifications and responsiveness will be completed in time for a recommendation at the commissioners’ meeting on the 16th. No award was made at the meeting.
