Auditor call for offers on Pullman sub-agency

The Whitman County Auditor's office has put out a request for applicants for a vehicle licensing sub-agency business in Pullman. The current vehicle licensing office is in the Pufferbelly Depot in Pullman, and the contract is open again for bids following the death of Dan Antoni, the previous contract holder.

Whitman County Auditor Eunice Coker said she has nine months from the time of Antoni's death to fill a new contract, but the contract is being fast-tracked to six months for continuity of service. Coker said the sub-agency has been operated by Antoni's daughter, Meghan Antoni, since December.

“I got permission for Meghan and her staff to continue until the end of June,” Coker said.

Prior to his death, Antoni wrote a letter of recommendation for Meghan to be the new contract holder at the sub-agency.

“Dan was well-prepared,” Coker said. “That carries weight, but you cannot inherit a sub-agency.”

Coker said all bids will be looked over and given equal opportunity prior to issuing a new contract.

“Depending on who comes and what they can offer, there is no guarantee that Meghan Antoni will be the winning bidder,” Coker said. “And if she's not, there will be a time when Pullman will have no sub-agent.”

Coker said the potential period of no sub-agent would be because a new sub-agent would need time to get established, secure a property and obtain all the necessary equipment.

The request for proposals asks for applicants to submit a written business proposal that addresses specific subject areas, as well as a background check. Applicants must submit four copies of the proposal to the auditor's office by June 10 at 5 p.m.

The requests states that the auditor's office is seeking applicants to operation a vehicle/vessel license sub-agency in the greater Pullman area, so the business might not continue in the Pufferbelly Depot, depending on who is awarded the contract. A map is included with the application packet detailing the areas in which the sub-agency would be allowed to be located.

Full application is available at http://www.whitmancounty.org/PDFs/2016_DOL_RFP_packet.pdf.