They have gotten the ball rolling.

The Lawrence County Commission has begun advertising for bids for emergency medical service in the county. The commissioners opted earlier this year to put the county's ambulance service out for bid as a means to save money.

&#8220Our main concern is still getting the best quality service for the best money out there,” Lawrence County Commissioner Doug Malone said.

&#8220The ambulance service is funded through the half-cent sales tax, which brings in approximately $2 million a year.

&#8220If the ambulance service were to continue increasing in cost over the next six years (at the same rate as it has in the past) it will cost more than that $2 million. And it is one of three services now that use half-cent sales tax money. When they say, ‘if it ain't broke, don't fix it', well, they're right. The ambulance service isn't broke, but the county is.”

According to the bid advertisement, bids must be received by 10 a.m. Nov. 7.

A pre-bid conference is scheduled for Nov. 1 and is mandatory for all parties submitting a bid.

The bid specifications include a stipulation on the maximum rate the successful bidder may charge for services, which is a base rate of $200 and a mileage rate of $6 per loaded mile for basic life support and $350 base rate and a mileage rate of $6 per loaded mile for advanced life support.

Southeast Ohio Emergency Medical Services (SEOEMS) has had the contract for more than 30 years.

Although commissioners had told SEOEMS employees they would encourage any new entity to hire them if the bid is given to a new entity, the bid specifications only requires an assurance that &#8220a local work force will be used where available and qualified.”

According to the bid, the successful applicant must include a summary of experience in the area of emergency medical services, including a narrative of the bidder's experience in operating an advanced life support system.