Medical Examiner Transport Services for Jefferson County Public Health

Jefferson County Purchasing Department in New York is requesting proposals for medical examiner transport services for Jefferson County Public Health, with sealed proposals due November 10, 2026 at 3:30 PM EST. Proposers must hold a current New York State funeral director's license with three years of in-state experience, including demonstrated expertise in removals, medical examiner coordination, and crime scene removals.

The scope covers 24/7/365 pickup of deceased persons from throughout Jefferson County and transport to Samaritan Medical Center morgue, plus transport to Onondaga County Medical Examiner's Office (140 miles roundtrip), Guthrie Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton (288 miles roundtrip), or other institutions as directed by the Jefferson County Public Health Department. Response is required within one hour of notification. Based on 2025 data, 168 cases were handled; 119 required transport to Samaritan Medical Center (averaging 20 miles per case), 34 to Onondaga County (140 miles roundtrip), and 35 to Guthrie Lourdes (288 miles roundtrip).

The initial contract term runs January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2029, with an option to renew for an additional two years, not to exceed five years total. Pricing must be submitted on a firm fixed-price basis with separate rates for trips within Jefferson County, loaded-mile charges outside Jefferson County, and hourly waiting charges in 15-minute increments exceeding one hour. Pricing is required for three annual periods: 2027–2029, 2030, and 2031. Years following the initial term are adjusted using the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index. The County assumes costs for body bags, identification tags, bracelets, and bag locks.

Required insurance includes commercial general liability of $1 million each occurrence and $2 million aggregate, business automobile liability of $1 million combined single limit, and professional liability insurance of $1 million per claim and $2 million aggregate. The County may award a single or multiple contracts and reserves the right to cancel with 30 days' notice without cause. Evaluation criteria include technical response and requirements understanding, proposer experience and qualifications, project management methodologies, and ability to deliver quality services at reasonable cost. Bidders must complete non-collusive bidding and Iranian investment disclosure certifications.