Committee recommends Auto Body International contract for fleet collision repair and painting

The Oxford Public Works and Transportation Committee voted unanimously on Feb. 24, 2026 to recommend that city council authorize an agreement with Auto Body International Inc. to provide light- and medium-duty vehicle paint and body services.

Public Works staff explained the contract is a not-to-exceed $1,500,000 allocation for an initial term from March 23, 2026 through March 22, 2027, with the option of four consecutive one-year extensions ending March 22, 2031. Assistant Public Works Director Bridal Yount introduced Fleet Services Manager Jose Areola to explain the solicitation and fleet needs.

"The city currently has 983 vehicles in our fleet," Fleet Services Manager Jose Areola said, adding that roughly 700–730 of those vehicles are light- to medium-duty units that would mostly use this contract. Areola said the request for bid closed Jan. 5 and four vendors submitted bids. In the staff tabulation, Auto Body International emerged as the lowest bidder.

Public Works staff member Ms. Wolf described the scope as collision repair and painting for vehicles that require specialty equipment or facilities, such as paint booths, and emphasized the agreement is a not-to-exceed amount for as-needed services rather than a guaranteed volume contract.

After staff presentation and committee questions, a committee member moved to recommend the contract and another seconded; committee members voted and the motion carried 3-0. The recommendation will go to the full city council for final authorization.

The staff report provided line-item bid tabulations; the committee discussion focused on price competitiveness and operational need rather than changes to contract scope.