# San Luis Obispo County Weighs Ambulance Bidding

San Luis Obispo County plans to continue developing a competitive RFP for ground emergency ambulance transport, with release expected in late January 2027 pending state approval. Supervisors have not yet committed to proceeding with a competition: they directed staff to compare bidding against amendments to the existing San Luis Ambulance contract before making that decision. If issued, the RFP is expected to give applicants four months to submit materials and make oral presentations, with final approval estimated to take about 90 days. The incumbent may compete alongside a Paso Robles-led public-private proposal and other bidders.

- Interested ambulance providers can use the anticipated four-month response period to prepare bid materials and oral presentations, but the RFP remains contingent on state approval and the county’s decision after its comparison of options.
- The county’s review could result either in a competitive procurement or amendments to the current contract, so providers should account for both possibilities in their business planning.
- San Luis Ambulance has held the existing contract since 1945; prospective bidders should consider the incumbent’s established role and the potential participation of a Paso Robles-led public-private proposal when assessing the competitive landscape.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Healthcare, Public Safety
**Topics:** Emergency Response
**Published:** November 08, 2026

### Government Entities
- San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors
- San Luis Obispo County Emergency Medical Services Agency (EMS)
- State of California
- City of Paso Robles

### Vendors
- San Luis Ambulance (Incumbent)

### Key Quotes
> I'm not suggesting our EMS system is perfect or shouldn't evolve, but there's a difference between improving a system and disrupting relationships that have made it successful.
> — Chad Robertson, Paramedic

> I want to make sure everybody's OK in this room, but I really want to make sure that we go forth with this big decision and with our eyes wide open.
> — Dawn Ortiz-Legg, San Luis Obispo County Supervisor

### Sources
- [SLO County still plans to seek bids for ambulance contract — but uncertainty looms](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/slo-county-still-plans-seek-130000231.html) - Yahoo