Weather Outside Frightful? Washoe County is On It!
It's snowing ... again. You're watching the flakes pile up in your driveway, thinking sadly, “I am never going to make it to my niece's dance recital. As you're picking up the phone to call your brother with the bad news, you see salvation at the end of your road. Washoe County has sent out a beautiful yellow Cat® machine with a big shiny snow plow!

Washoe County spreads this kind of cheer all winter long, plowing over 680 miles of county roads. As a county resident, you may see one of three Cat Backhoes fitted with snow plows, one of the County's six 950 Loaders with snow plows, or perhaps a 966 Loader with a large Kodiak snow blower attachment. And, a lucky few are treated to a glimpse of one of six huge 140 Motor Graders. All this yellow iron helps Washoe County keep travel routes open and accessible all winter long.

Where does all this equipment come from? Well, that changes every five years. Governmental agencies like Washoe County operate completely differently than a private business. They're accountable for every penny they spend of the taxpayer's money, which means they operate under strict purchasing guidelines. Every five years, a bid process is initiated which can take up to 90 days. David Gonzales, Washoe County Equipment Services Superintendent, explains there first has to be authorization to bid, which then has to be approved by the County Board of Commissioners, at which point Equipment Services can finally accept bids from companies like Cashman Equipment and others. Washoe County Purchasing facilitates the bid process, working with Equipment Services to determine which machines will best meet their needs while having the lowest net cost.

“The cost of the equipment over the entire length of the contract is what is important to Washoe County and other governmental agencies, not just the price tag, says Jeff Sweeney, Cashman Equipment Governmental Sales Representative. “We work hard to make sure our bids hit that lowest net cost figure. In a 20+ year association, Washoe County has purchased numerous motor graders, backhoes, and loaders from Cashman. One could speculate it's because they just love Cat (which they do) or that Caterpillar is the best machine out there for the job (which it is). But what really compels Washoe County to work with Cashman again and again is a special feature included in their bid – a guaranteed buyback program. The County recoups 75% to 90% of the original purchase price through this offer, making Cashman's bids the most attractive to Washoe County's Purchasing department.

However, equipment from Cashman is just as appealing to the operators who will be working with it every day out on the roads, as well as the technicians back in the maintenance shop. Washoe County Equipment Supervisor Gerry Voivod and his employees don't have time to be constantly repairing Cat machines, as they're responsible for the maintenance on virtually every piece of equipment in Washoe County. “If it floats on water or rolls on the street, we take care of it here, Voivod summarizes. The busy shop schedule, as well as snow removal demands, don't allow for machine breakdowns. One of many beneficial aspects of working with Cashman is that if equipment goes down out in the field, Cashman guarantees repair within 34 hours; if repair is not possible, a replacement machine is provided to Washoe County until the unit is back up and running. Voivod says that's just another one of the reasons why he likes working with Cashman.

Dave Gonzales, Washoe County Equipment Services Superintendent, explains the bottom-line benefits of working with Cashman Equipment, saying, “Cashman's buyback program allows the County to keep the equipment fresh, which means we're up-to-date on the new emissions standards and all the latest technologies. He went on to say that Jeff Sweeney's extensive research provides the County with a purchasing option that guarantees taxpayers are receiving the highest quality snow removal equipment available.

So next time you see big yellow Cat machines clearing the way for you, take a moment to remember – Washoe County and Cashman Equipment are dedicated to getting you where you're going, all winter long!

January 2009