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Commissioners approve new fire-alarm contract for Willoughby Detention Center
Summary
After reviewing competing bids and contractor responsiveness, commissioners approved the recommended provider to replace the Willoughby Detention Center fire panel and components; competing bids from Johnson Controls and Carter Fire were discussed.
Harrison County commissioners unanimously approved a contract Oct. 9 to replace the fire-alarm system at the Willoughby Detention Center after reviewing competitive bids and contractor responsiveness.
Brad Thomas, maintenance supervisor, explained the current fire panel has burned control boards and requires a full replacement. He presented two formal bids: Johnson Controls ($35,539), which included caveats about leaving some existing horns/strobes and potential change orders, and Carter Fire ($39,400), which proposed complete replacement with no anticipated change orders. Purchasing staff and maintenance recommended the county award to Cutter Fire Protection (the recommended vendor), citing prior work relationships and confidence in contractor responsiveness.
Purchasing staff confirmed the county used Johnson Controls at the jail previously and noted proprietary equipment could limit future flexibility. After questions about the number of detectors and change-order risk, the court approved the purchasing recommendation by voice vote.
The purchasing record in the transcript does not include a fully itemized total for Cutter Fire’s approved quote; the court authorized the contract based on the procurement recommendation and instructions for the agreement to be executed and bonded as appropriate.
The board directed staff to proceed with contracting and to seek any additional cost-share (including a pending request of $10,000 from a chiefs’ association) if available.
