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Committee awards contract for 12 fully upfitted Ford Interceptors at about $67,000 each
Summary
The finance committee approved Resolution 25-113 to purchase 12 fully upfitted 2026 Ford Interceptors, awarding to Thornhill Group Inc. for a total of $806,450.36 after determining a lower bid did not meet equipment specifications.
The City of Charleston Finance Committee on Nov. 17 authorized the purchase of 12 fully upfitted model-year 2026 Ford Interceptors for the Charleston Police Department, approving Resolution 25-113 and recommending an award to Thornhill Group Inc.
Mr. Michaud said staff bundled vehicle purchase and upfitting in a single bid this year so vendors would supply completed, road-ready cruisers. He said a lower bid from Stevens Auto was approximately $27,000–$28,000 less overall, but that bid failed to meet the bid specifications for equipment and did not provide required documentation for deviations. Staff and CPD reviewed the offers and recommended Thornhill because it included the specified SoundOff lighting and equipment, ensuring uniformity across the fleet.
The total cost for 12 fully upfitted vehicles is $806,450.36, which Mr. Michaud said works out to roughly $67,000 per vehicle and is about $84,000 higher than last year’s comparable purchases. Staff attributed the increase to higher commodity costs and subcontractor markups needed for vendors to meet the bundled specification. The committee discussed budgetary impacts and pending purchases including a transport van; staff said some other purchases may come in under budget.
Committee members raised questions about the price increase and whether the city should return to separate bidding for vehicles and upfits next year; staff said they may revert depending on results. The committee adopted the resolution by voice vote, with the chair declaring the ayes.
