4. OPEN MIKE 01/19/2010~-i~-to cc
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Tuesday, January ~.9, 2010
To the Editor:
I am writing in response to Mr. Schaefer's Letter to the Editor ~01~15/2010}
concerning the recent bid solicitation process for the Fire Department's new heavy
rescue vehicle, ~ want to reassure Mr, Schaefer and the Elk River community that the
City followed all applicable laws and regulations to foster a competitive bidding
environment for the purchase of our new, and much needed, rescue truck,
As Mr. Schaefer indicated, only one bid was received on time at the bid opening
at 9,30AM on December 28, 2009. A second bid from another manufacturer was
received past the published deadline and, in accordance with the rules of the invitation
to Bid, it was rejected, unopened. interested bidders were given over sixteen days to
submit completed bids to the City, either in person or via mail carrier. Due to the
holiday, six additional days were provided to bidders compared to the minimum ten day
period required by state law. while representatives from bath bidders were present at
the bid opening, only one bidder was able to furnish a bid.
For months, a committee of eight Elk River Fire Officers and Firefighters spent
considerable time developing comprehensive specifications for a new rescue trucky The
result of this effort was a 108 page specifications document that was based upon
extensive research, over ~ 10 years of collective fire f rescue experience and the
requirements of the Department, Above all, the committee's primary goal was to design
a truck that will provide our firefighters with the best tools, equipment and resources to
serve and protect our great City, its residents dour family, friends and neighbors},
businesses and visitors: 1t is this truck that will carry the tools that allow our firefighters
to rapidly extricate victims from car crashes, enter freezing ice-covered water to perform
a rescue or, through the use of ropes and specialized equipment, rescue a person from
a toxic confined space environment, From a financial standpoint, ~ am pleased to report
that this truck is coming in under budget,
~ wish to thank the members of the Truck Committee for contributing countless
hours developing the specifications for this IifeWsaving truck.
I welcome any resident with questions or concerns to contact me directly at
(763) 635-1105.
T, John Cunningham, Fire Chief
Elk River Fire Department
P,O, Box X043
E[k River, MN 55330
X763} 635~~~05