Silver City N.M. – The Gila Regional Medical Center (GRMC) has been at the center of attention since reviewing proposals for cancer service providers. Recently, the Board of Trustees of the GRMC held an emergency meeting to finalize a contract with the University of New Mexico (UNM) Comprehensive Cancer Center—a change from New Mexico Cancer Center (NMCC), the provider that had previously served Gila Regional cancer patients for many years. Patients and their families have expressed concerns about the change in provider, and the process that led to the change in providers. Representative Rodolpho "Rudy" Martinez (D-39) has heard from local patients in Silver City, and has asked State Auditor Tim Keller to review any matters related to this procurement process in order to ensure that it was executed lawfully and in the best public interest.

"It is absolutely critical that such a process follow the law, and be as transparent as possible to maintain the public's trust – especially when it concerns their health and well-being." stated Representative Rudy Martinez. "At the most difficult time in cancer patients' lives, we need to make sure that local residents can access the best possible care right here at home."

In the attached letter, Martinez requests that Auditor Tim Keller review the legality and transparency of the RFP process. Specifically, Martinez asks whether an RFP was necessary under the Procurement Code, whether the RFP complied with the law, if the scoring and evaluation process was fair, and whether all documents related to the procurement process that are not legally required to be kept confidential have been made publicly available. A native of southern New Mexico, Martinez served as Mayor of Bayard and Grant County Commissioner before serving as State Representative from 2007 through 2014, and January 2017 to the present.

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