Council questions award of fleet transmission contract; member moves to reopen item

Council members raised concerns Oct. 2 about the procurement process for Contract 67385, a two‑year, $100,000 contract to provide service, labor and parts for light‑duty transmissions.

Vice Chair Mary Callaway said she reviewed the Teeter report and noted Cary Brothers — a long‑standing Detroit business and the apparent lowest bidder — was not chosen. She said she would bring the item back to the council for further questions and to contact Cary Brothers.

Alex Weatherup, assistant director of general services, said the recommendation favored Suburban Ford of Ferndale because it is an authorized Ford dealer. "When it comes to the transmission work, fleet management prefers, certified Ford," he said.

Ashley Franklin of the Office of Contracting and Procurement said the RFQ language required that "the vendor who will be selected will need to be a authorized agent and shall be authorized to perform warranty work." Franklin said Cary Brothers' owner confirmed they are not authorized to perform warranty Ford work.

Council Member Callaway argued the council should protect local businesses and questioned whether the RFQ language effectively limited competition. Members discussed splitting the contract or securing additional documentation. The chair then accepted a motion to bring line item 6.8 back for further review; after debate, the council agreed to return the item in one week for additional information from OCP, fleet management and Cary Brothers.

The exchange focused on balancing fleet operational needs (authorized warranty work for police vehicles) and council interest in supporting local vendors.

The council did not adopt a final procurement decision during the meeting; the item will return for further review.