Springfield among state license offices out for bid

Gov. Jay Nixon said Wednesday that the state's 183 motor vehicle and driver license offices will be competitively bid out, ending a decades-old tradition of awarding offices to a governor's political supporters and family members.

The state's Department of Revenue and Division of Purchasing and Materials Management posted requests for proposals for six of the offices on Tuesday. The 3061 S. Fremont Ave. office in Springfield is among them, as are offices in Columbia, Liberty, Mexico, Moberly and St. Charles. RFPs for the remaining offices will be sent out weekly until all have been bid, according to a DOR news release.

"The era of license office patronage ends today," Nixon said in the release. "This action signals a new way in which essential government services will be provided."

The Springfield office, currently operated by Leslie Carter, had an estimated 207,732 transactions in fiscal 2008 and generated an estimated $644,711 in processing fees, the release said.

Bidders will have five weeks to submit proposals. They will be evaluated on efficiency, qualified personnel, convenient service for customers, secure and accessible office space, and financial stability, according to the release. The state also will take into consideration whether a bidder is a civic or not-for-profit group, a minority, a woman or a minority/woman-run organization.

Once a bid is awarded, the Department of Revenue has the option of renewing contracts for up to three years after the first year.

Follow the links below to obtain copies of the RFPs, including for the Springfield office.