Department of Revenue News Release

JEFFERSON CITY - New agents have been named for three local motor vehicle and license offices after bidders used a new process to submit proposals on how they would operate the offices.

"The reformed bidding process is straightforward," said Gov. Jay Nixon, who implemented the system when he became Governor.  "Anyone can submit a bid, and the bids are evaluated by professional staff at the Department of Revenue.  Unlike the old system, this process is transparent, and the bids are available for public inspection."

The three offices awarded today are in Des Peres, Nixa and the South County License Office in St. Louis County.  All three offices will remain at their current locations.

Bidders have the option of returning a portion of an office's revenues to the state.  All three winning bidders have opted to return some of their revenues.  The estimated amount of money that will be returned to the state in the first contract year from the 172 offices that have been awarded so far under the new bidding process is $949,169.

Ryker Enterprises, Inc. has been selected as the new agent for the Des Peres License Office, which is located at 1080 Old Des Peres Rd.  The corporation's bid was one of six submitted, and a 5 percent ($16,130) return to the state was included.  The business is associated with Danah Lewis of Eureka, who has several years of experience as manager and agent for the West County License Office.  Ryker was also awarded the Chesterfield License Office in December.

The Nixa License Office has been awarded to a new agent, Alternative Opportunities, Inc. of Springfield. The not-for-profit corporation provides a variety of comprehensive services, including job placement and assistance for people with disabilities.  The corporation's winning bid was one of two submitted, and a 5 percent ($9,931) return to state was included in the proposal.  It was also recently awarded the Carthage and Farmington license offices.  The Nixa office is located at 214-A Village Center Rd.

The Lavin Co., LLC is the new agent for the South County Office.  The office is located at 27 Ronnie's Plaza, near the intersection of South Lindbergh Boulevard and Baptist Church Road.  The company is associated with Patrick J. "Jim" Murphy and his son, James W. Murphy, both of St. Louis County.  The Lavin Co. was also awarded the management contract for the Affton License Office in October.  The winning bid for the South County office was one of five submitted, and it includes an 8 percent ($36,783) return to the state.

Details about changes in office operations, if any, will be announced by the agents.

Although Gov. Nixon authorized the Missouri Department of Revenue to implement the new bidding system a year ago, it didn't become part of state law until legislation was signed by the Governor this past summer. The new law was overwhelmingly approved by both Republican and Democratic members of the Missouri Legislature.

Of the 172 offices awarded so far, 97 have gone to incumbents, groups associated with incumbent agents or interim agents.  Seventy-five of the offices have been awarded to new agents.  There are 183 offices statewide.

Alana M. Barragán-Scott, director of the Missouri Department of Revenue, said the evaluation of the bids is very thorough.

"A review team evaluates each aspect of the bids - everything from customer service to the location of the proposed office," she said.  "After the team makes its recommendation, it is reviewed by senior department management, and then reviewed again by the Office of Administration to make sure that proper bidding procedures have been followed."

All local license offices provide services that are overseen by the Department of Revenue, but each office is operated by an independent contractor.  Transactions that are conducted at these offices include the issuance and renewal of driver licenses, issuance of titles for motor vehicles, and the issuance and renewal of registration for motor vehicles, boats and outboard motors.

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