Ohio to Buy Controversial Breath Test Device

Allegations of bid bias are raised.

The Ohio State Controlling Board authorized the purchase of 700 Intoxilyzer 8000 machines for testing blood alcohol content of motorists suspected of Ohio DUI. Nearly $7 million in federal grant money will be used to purchase the portable breath testing devices. The described intent of the purchase is to standardize the breath test equipment and procedure used to help catch drunk drivers in Ohio.

Concerns were raised during the decision making process because the manufacturer of the Intoxilyzer 8000, CMI Inc of Kentucky, is involved in several law suits with states over the equipment’s software. A suspicion of bid rigging has also been raised because the Ohio Department of Health official who wrote the state’s specifications for the device is friends with the president of CMI. An Ohio based firm that had previously supplied law enforcement with such equipment was excluded from the specification process. In fact, the process reportedly excluded all competitors.

The State Controlling Board voted unanimously to approve the acquisition. While acknowledging that the departments of health and public safety could have made a better case for the Intoxilyzer 8000, the legislators thought there was no reason not to buy the devices.

The Intoxilyzer 8000 will first be put into use in southwest Ohio. The handheld device will replace larger units now used to test for driving under the influence in Ohio.

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