Lawmakers question ODOT noncompetitive chassis replacement as board approves retrofit

The State Controlling Board approved a request from the Ohio Department of Transportation to replace the chassis on a high‑mileage data‑collection vehicle used for roadway data submitted to the Federal Highway Administration.

Senator Kaler asked why ODOT was not using competitive procurement and why the chassis wasn't built in Ohio. Greg Bercometti said the department is replacing an International cab with a 2026 Ford F‑250 because the larger International was less maneuverable on two‑lane roads and city streets; ODOT intends to purchase the Ford chassis locally and send vehicles to the retrofit vendor to transplant sensors and other data equipment. Dan Rodin added: "The Ford was selected off the state term contract. The internationals that are available on the state term contract right now do not fit our needs."

Board members asked whether other vendors had been considered; ODOT said Pathway (the retrofitter) is one of a small number of companies that perform the specialized retrofit and that the chassis purchase was done from items available on the state term contract. The item was approved with Senator Kaler recorded as objecting.