The Request for Proposal, or RFP, for a new ambulance contract for Washington County has been recalled. Washington County Supervisor Jack Seward announced at Tuesday’s supervisors meeting that the RFP approved at their April 16th meeting has been recalled, “I believe that we’ll be discussing an agreement to put out a new RFP sometime in the future.” That RFP was developed with the supervisors, East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG), and representatives from Washington County Hospital and Clinics. The supervisors approved in February working with ECICOG to develop the RFP documents for approximately $1,300. The current ambulance provider was not included in these discussions.

The current contract is with Washington County Ambulance and ends June 30th with the fiscal year. At this time, WCA has two ambulances fully staffed at all times and calls in additional crews when there is an increase in call volume. The RFP that has been recalled had requested three ambulances fully staffed at all times.

In Iowa, ambulance services are not an essential service as designated by the state legislature, and are not required in each county.