RFP for the Provision of Ambulance Services in Richland County, WI

Richland County, Wisconsin (population 17,220) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the provision of full-time, 24/7/365 Advanced Life Support (ALS) transporting ambulance services covering approximately 60% of the county's 586.15 square miles, encompassing parts or all of 12 municipalities including Richland Center. The successful proposer must provide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) 9-1-1 ambulance response services with a primary ALS ambulance staffed and equipped continuously, a second ambulance available during peak times, Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) services, and comprehensive quarterly reporting to County Supervisors. Proposers must demonstrate experience operating modern EMS departments, knowledge of applicable federal and state regulations, and previous experience with similar 9-1-1 emergency ambulance response services. Historical call volume data shows 1,386 calls in 2025 and 1,131 in 2024. Key deadlines include a proposal submission deadline of noon on May 11, 2026; finalist determination on May 12, 2026; finalist presentations on May 26, 2026; and County Board contract approval consideration on June 23, 2026, with an anticipated service start date of January 1, 2027. Evaluation criteria include experience, regulatory knowledge, and pricing as a critical factor, though the County reserves the right to reject proposals and waive irregularities. All proposals remain firm for 180 days and become public documents subject to Wisconsin Open Records Law.

The RFP does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions based on organization type or disadvantaged enterprise status. The County currently operates an AEMT-level service with six full-time crew members, casual and on-call staff, and maintains mutual aid agreements with three neighboring services; the County owns three ambulances, equipment, and a building that may be available for purchase by the successful proposer. The RFP is not a low-bid process, and proposers must submit total pricing for the entire provision of services with the option to present optional pricing alternatives. The County intends to award a minimum three-year contract, preferably five years, though the contract period is negotiable. No specific budget or award value range is stated in the available documentation, but proposers should anticipate the need to price comprehensive EMS operations including staffing, equipment maintenance, dispatch services, and reporting requirements for the defined service area.