Warwick City Council Approves Higher-Priced Fire Pumper Contract Despite $200,000 Discrepancy
The Warwick City Council has approved an 8-1 vote to award a contract for a 1,500-gallon-per-minute fire pumper to Greenwood Emergency Vehicles. This decision comes despite objections from one council member who argued that a rejected bidder offered a comparable truck for approximately $200,000 less. The administration defended the choice, stating that rejecting the only compliant bidder could lead to litigation. Additionally, the council approved a companion award for a Type 1 ambulance, where the price difference between the recommended vendor and a rejected bidder was roughly $27,000 to $28,000. Both items were moved to the council floor from the finance committee without a recommendation, indicating a lack of endorsement from the committee. The dissenting council member highlighted issues with the fire department's specifications, which he claimed restricted competition, and noted a significant delivery gap, with the approved pumper expected in about three years compared to 90 days from a rejected bidd...
