Tenn. Panel OKs Bids for New Ambulances

Dec. 21--Cumberland County's financial management committee approved bids for the purchase of three new school buses and three new ambulances during last week's meeting.

Two of the school buses are standard buses and one is for special needs students.

The committee approved a bid of $177,042 for two standard buses from Central Sales of Lebanon, TN. Although it was not the low bid, which was $172,346 for two 2016 Thomas buses from Mid-South Bus Center of Murfreesboro, TN, the approved bid is for 78-passenger buses that have a longer warranty and are a year newer.

Three new ambulance chassis with box remounts were also approved by the committee.

Cumberland County Fire Chief and EMS Director Jeff Dodson said the total was well within the budgeted amount for the ambulances.

What a remount means is there is a new chassis with engine and cab, but the ambulance box is taken from the previous unit and mounted on the new one.

"We've had a lot of success with the remounts and it's a lot cheaper. We tried to tie them down on a delivery date for these, but all three said it depended on when they got the chassis," Dodson said.

Brock explained the bidders would only guarantee 90 days from the date they receive the chassis.

"They can't control another company on their delivery time, so the best we could get was 90 days from the delivery time of the chassis," Nathan Brock Cumberland County finance director said.

Dodson recommended going with the low bid of $215,295 for three 2016 GMC Sierras from Taylor Made Ambulances of Newport, AR.

Donald Andrews, director of schools, made a motion to accept the low bid and his motion was supported by Hyder.

It was unanimously approved.

Gary Nelson may be reached at gnelson@crossville-chronicle.com

Copyright 2015 - Crossville Chronicle, Tenn.