Ashe County authorizes RFQ for ambulance base feasibility study, adds flexibility to include additional properties

Ashe County commissioners approved initiating a qualifications-based RFQ to hire a firm to perform site-feasibility and programming work for a proposed ambulance base. Staff told commissioners the study would assess two county-owned parcels identified last year — a site below the courthouse and a site behind the county food pantry — and analyze site size, layout feasibility, traffic access, topography, utilities, environmental and zoning issues, easements, stormwater management and timeline risks.

Staff said the selected firm would likely continue from feasibility into design work so the county could expedite the process and aimed to begin interior design by September if feasibility results support it. "Right now, we have a goal of starting the actual inside design of the base by September," staff said.

Commissioners asked whether the RFQ would lock the county into only the two identified properties; staff said the board could add other county properties later but that doing so might require readvertising. Commissioners moved to approve the RFQ with added language to allow consideration of additional county-owned sites; the motion passed by voice vote.

The RFQ process will be qualifications-based; staff said dollar estimates from firms will come later as part of contract proposals and that any contract would return for board approval before funds are expended.

Next steps: procurement staff will issue the RFQ, evaluate qualifications, recommend a firm to the board, and return with a proposed contract and cost estimate for approval before work begins.