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Committee moves Harley-Davidson motorcycle repair contract to formal session after single bid
Summary
Committee members moved a proposed $50,000 increase to a motorcycle-repair contract for the police fleet to formal session after procurement staff said only one bid — from a Harley-Davidson–certified vendor in Waterford — responded to the solicitation.
The Neighborhood Community Services standing committee moved a proposed amendment to contract 67290, a city-funded agreement to provide motorcycle repair and maintenance for the Detroit Police Department's motorcycle fleet, to formal session with a recommendation for approval.
Procurement staff told the committee the amendment would increase the contract by $50,000 to a total of $100,000 for a contract period beginning July 18, 2025. Ashley Franklin of procurement said the solicitation yielded a single response from Arsenal Powersports (doing business as Arsenal Harley-Davidson) because the bid required a Harley-Davidson certification.
"This was a single response bid from Arsenal Power Sports," Franklin said. Council members pressed staff on why the city had to send work outside city limits. "Why are we in Waterford versus being able to find a repair location for motorcycles in the city of Detroit?" asked Council member Scott Benson. Franklin said procurement had made multiple outreach attempts to closer vendors but received no bids and that she would follow up with the original buyer to determine whether any vendors responded with a no-bid reason.
Staff also clarified the contract is intended to service the police department's motorcycle fleet. "This is to service specifically our police department motorcycle fleet, which is 46 vehicles, and it's all Harley-Davidson," the assistant director of general services said.
The committee did not vote on the contract itself; members voted to place the item on the formal-session agenda for final consideration.
Background and next steps: procurement will report back with any no-bid responses and additional outreach information before the council votes on the contract in formal session.
