The City Council voted unanimously Wednesday night to award an $887,642 contract to a California company to manufacture for the Fire Department a modern fire and rescue boat that could respond to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive device incidents, as well as standard rescue missions.
The vote on the contract seemed ready to go on March 8, but it was delayed at the request of City Manager Joseph J. Nicholson Jr., who received documents from a local boat manufacturer who asked to be considered for the contract.
“We want to be encouraging Rhode Island manufacturers to put in bids,” said Councilwoman Susan Taylor as she asked what became of the request.