Supply chain issues are proving to be a challenge for Boone County in its quest for new fleet vehicles.
“We like to buy local, when we can,” Boone County Judge/Executive Gary W. Moore said. “I’ve had the opportunity to talk to local dealerships about the challenges we’re having finding vehicles and reminding them that we’d love to have them bid on product. But their challenges are they can’t get the vehicles, so they don’t have anything to bid.”
The purchase of a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo and two one-ton pickup trucks from Louisville-based Bachman Auto Group for the public works department was approved by the Boone County Fiscal Court during Tuesday’s regular session.
“Bachman Auto Group quoted the vehicle at a price of $44,350 off of their state master agreement,” Boone County Assistant County Administrator/County Engineer Rob Franxman said. “Other vendors approved by the Commonwealth were unable to provide quotes. Delivery is expected within 30 days of issuing a purchase order. All reports indicate that it is on the lot.”
The Kentucky State Master Agreement is a contract between the Commonwealth of Kentucky and vendors who supply goods and services to agencies. The agreement provides a standardized set of terms, conditions and pricing that vendors must adhere to when doing business with the state.
The public works department has advertised sports utility vehicles for bid multiple times this year and has been unable to receive any bids, Franxman said.
“Someone might hear a Jeep Cherokee Grand Laredo – they may think, wow, that’s a luxury vehicle,” Moore said. “That purchase price of $44,350, if you really compare it to some of the SUVs we’ve been buying, is less than some of the Ford Explorers we’ve bought. Really, right now, with the supply chain issues, it’s more about being able to get a vehicle.”
On Nov. 29, the public works department received a single bid for the 1-ton trucks, Franxman said.
“Bachman Auto Group was the single bidder and their submission meets the requirements set by the public works department,” Franxman said. “From the bid submission, the public works department intends to order two short-bed crew cab models, one of which will be upfit with snow plow equipment.”
The recommendation from Fraxman was to award Bachman Auto Group’s bid for the 1-ton pickup trucks at a cost of $117,222. Delivery of the trucks is expected in approximately 200 days.
“It’s taking advantage of what we can get, when we can get it,” Franxman said.