Original Date: 08/08/1994
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

The Stafford County Public Schools Central Garage developed a Recap Tire Test to determine which tire used on its vehicles was the most cost effective. This testing demonstrated that the tire style purchased from the lowest bidder was not necessarily the best value as one slightly more expensive.

To determine the best value tire, three different brands were purchased, installed on the rear wheels of six buses, and monitored for a two-year period. Bus routes with similar characteristics such as number of stops, number of students, type of road traveled, and amount of express mileage were chosen to ensure accurate results. During each bus' routine maintenance, the tread wear was measured with a tread depth gauge on all four rear tires. The average tread depth was used to determine the approximate life of the tire. The tires were replaced when 5/32-inch tread was remaining, and the mileage was recorded.

The results of the test, showing the average mileage and cost per thousand miles (see graphic), allows the procurement selection to be based on the best value. Because Virginia State law states that when the lowest cost is not the lowest bidder in price, it can be rejected and the most cost effective tire can be purchased, Stafford County was able to purchase the most cost effective tires for its school vehicles.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.