A portable concrete test instrument used in construction for evaluating and profiling concrete surfaces (MACRS-GDS 5-year property class) is under consideration by a construction firm for $19,500. The instrument will be used for 6 years and be worth $2,250 at that time. The annual cost of use and maintenance will be $6,500. Alternatively, a more automated instrument (same property class) available from the manufacturer costs $28,500, with use and maintenance costs of only $8,000 and salvage value after 6 years of $2,000. The marginal tax rate is 40%, and MARR is an after-tax 12%.

(a)Determine which alternative is less costly, based upon comparison of after-tax annual worth. (1 or 2?)

(b) Show the AW values used to make your decision: Alternative 1: $

Alternative 2: $