County staff accept bids for new rescue truck, one vendor excluded for noncompliance

Woodbury County emergency services staff presented five vendor quotes for a new rescue truck and the board voted unanimously to receive the bids and move toward a final award.

Drew Barwood, services director, told the board he requested sealed bids marked for “EMS vehicle.” He read five submitted totals for a 2026 Ford F-250 crew cab configured to county specifications and said one vendor sent an email version rather than a sealed envelope, which he recommended excluding because it did not follow the bid instructions. Barwood said the chosen Ford model allows a two-thirds rear-seat removal and a cab insert to secure equipment, which he described as a safety requirement for emergency operations.

Barwood listed the quoted totals (as read to the board): Berry Motors $60,980 (corrected cover sheet), Jensen Motors $59,167, City Ford $60,500, and Styers $58,650; one vendor’s emailed bid was set aside for noncompliance. After questions confirming all quoted vehicles were F-250s, a board member moved to receive the bids. The motion (moved by Binger; seconded by Nelson) passed 5–0.

The board did not make a final award at the meeting; Barwood said he will return next week with a final recommendation for the board’s approval.

The board recorded no public objections during the procurement discussion and directed staff to ensure the final procurement follows the county’s bidding instructions.

The acceptance vote was procedural; the final contract award and any vendor selection will be scheduled for a subsequent meeting.