COMMISSION SEEKS AMBULANCE BIDS

JACKSON - The Cape Girardeau County Commission Thursday voted to seek bids for emergency ambulance service in the county.

Since 1967 when the county began providing a subsidy from general revenue for emergency service, the commission has not publicly bid the contract. Instead, it has negotiated a series of contracts with Cape County Private Ambulance Co.

Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep explained Thursday the decision to seek bids is not a reflection on the service being provided now by the ambulance company, but rather is in response to requests from other companies to have an opportunity to bid on the service.

"Up until recently, we have not had any other service or operator express an interest or desire to bid on the contract," noted Huckstep.

But in the fall of 1989, a St. Louis company requested the opportunity to bid on the contract. The commission decided there was not enough time to seek bids that year and picked up the second year option of a three year contract with Cape County Private Ambulance.

Last fall, when the commission exercised the final year's option, Huckstep announced the county would definitely seek bids in the spring.

Huckstep said he knows of three or four companies that are likely to submit bids.

Attorney Mike Price was hired by the commission to prepare bid specifications, and after several meetings, the commissioners approved the specs earlier this week. Bids will be due at 11 a.m. May 13.

"This will be a new experience having a competitive bid," noted Huckstep. "It will be interesting to see what happens."

During 1991, the county is providing a subsidy of $180,000 for emergency service. Most counties provide subsidies for emergency ambulance service through a special tax assessment.

Huckstep stressed that cost will not be the only factor in deciding which company to award a contract to.

"Price is just a part of it," he declared. "The ability to deliver quality service for emergencies is our main concern."

Huckstep said the final bid specifications are quite detailed in certain areas, but general on some points to provide bidders some flexibility. "We definitely have some detailed minimum standards that we expect," he noted. "Part of the specs are quite involved."

Huckstep pointed out that in some areas, the commission is seeking standards above what the state requires for licensing. The commission is also seeking such things as financial information on the bidders and will ask for a response time to various parts of the county.

"This is certainly not a contract we will be able to award the day bids are received," said Huckstep. "We will need to study the bids in detail and do a lot of research before making a decision."

Since the present contract does not expire until the end of the year, Huckstep said there should be plenty of time for the commission to thoroughly review the bids and make a decision that is in the best interests of all citizens of Cape County.