NASHUA
SCHOOL DISTRICT
Gateway to Opportunity
38 Riverside Street
Nashua, NH 03060 Shawn Smith
603-966-1500, Fax: 603-594-4361 Director, Plant Operations
December 21, 2021
To: Finance Committee
Fm: Shawn M. Smith, NSD Plant Operations Director
Subj: Purchase of Replacement Loader/Backhoe
In this year’s Capital Equipment Replacement Fund (CERF) we are scheduled to replace our
2005 New Holland Loader/Backhoe. Over the past few years we have spent thousands of
dollars keeping this equipment up and running until such time as it could be replaced. More
expensive repairs are on the horizon, so immediate replacement is necessary.
In considering a replacement, we considered not only capability, but also maintainability and
of course cost. The Public Works Department, which does a significant amount of
maintenance on our fleet, has standardized on Caterpillar for its earth and debris-moving
vehicle. So it would make most sense for us to follow suit. The Caterpillar we’ve selected
meets all our needs and, with the trade-in of our old New Holland, is below the amount
budgeted in the City’s CERF.
The Caterpillar is being purchased via Sourcewell, a nationwide procurement instrument for
state and municipal governments, which has already received competitive quotes for a wide
variety of supplies and equipment via its RFP process. This is the same instrument used by
DPW. Copies of the quote and a couple pages providing information on Sourcewell are
attached.
I recommend the Finance Committee approve the purchase of a 2022 Caterpillar 420XE
Loader Backhoe in the amount of $123,900, which includes the trade-in value of our 2005
New Hollard Backhoe. Funds to purchase this are from the City’s Capital Equipment Reserve
Fund.
Shawn M. Smith
