JOUR 3010 Article 5

Cartersville City Council rejects bid from Wynn GMC

by Morgan Scroggs

The City Council met March 1^st to discuss a number of items, during which a review of a purchase bid for four half-ton trucks for the water department was submitted by finance director Tom Rhinehart.

Rhinehart recommended that the previous bid awarded to Wynn GMC in February be rejected. The rejection favors a bid from locally owned business City Motors of $96,277.44. Wynn GMC had bid $92,375.24.

“Their bid is a little bit higher,” said Rhinehart, “but they are a local bidder and if more work needs to be done, it is more cost efficient to do it here.”

According to Rhinehart, during a discussion with the vendor, he was made aware that the bid order for four half-ton extended cab pick-up trucks was non-confirming to the bid specifications. The document indicated that the trucks be extended cab, but Wynn GMC inadvertently made the bid believing them to be single-cab trucks.

Rhinehart attempted to keep the bid with Wynn GMC after the misunderstanding. Wynn GMC offered to keep the bid at the same price, agreeing to substitute the trucks with smaller engines and adding the extended cab. Rhinehart discussed this change with assistant director Bob Jones of the Cartersville Water Department, but it was decided that the bid with the smaller engine would not be accepted.

“At the advice of our attorney, I did call the other three vendors,” said Rhinehart.

Rhinehart's recommendation was set into motion by councilman Jayce Stepp, and seconded by councilman Louis Tonsmeire Sr. The motion was approved unanimously.

Alan Vigil Ford had bid $95,980, and Mall of Georgia Ford had bid $96,360.

Councilwoman Lori Pruitt was absent from the meeting.