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