Jackson County names Hamilton Medical sole source for replacement ambulance ventilator, approves $18,360 purchase

The Board of County Commissioners approved declaring Hamilton Medical a sole source vendor and authorized purchasing a transport-rated ventilator for county EMS at a cost of $18,360, staff said the purchase was included in the budget.

Chief Brunner explained the county purchased six transport-rated ventilators in 2020 early in the COVID-19 era; the original vendor discontinued support, parts became unavailable and the county's in-service unit is not repairable. "They have used all their parts and they're no longer parts available... if that company didn't have it, then all of them are gone," Chief Brunner said, describing why a replacement from Hamilton Medical is necessary. Hamilton sells the product factory-direct, has a Florida representative, and the company's ventilator received FDA approval last year, staff said.

The quoted total cost for the replacement ventilator is $18,360 and the vendor offered trade-in for the nonworking unit. Staff told the board the device is transport-rated for ambulance use and that routine annual recalibration and maintenance are required.

A motion to declare Hamilton Medical the sole source and authorize the purchase passed by voice vote. Staff said the purchase was budgeted and that the county would proceed with procurement directly with Hamilton Medical.