The Missouri Department of Revenue is now accepting bids to operate the Cape Girardeau license office.

The office, at 112 S. Spanish St., is currently operated by the Southeast Missouri State University Foundation. Under Gov. Jay Nixon, contracts to operate each of the 183 license offices will be awarded after a competitive bidding process that replaces the political patronage system used in the past.

The university foundation hasn't decided whether to make a bid, said Ann Hayes, spokeswoman for the university. She said the foundation is preparing a bid, but has not decided whether to submit it.

The Cape Girardeau license office handles more than 69,000 transactions annually, earning processing fees of almost $234,000. Bidders can view the request for proposals at https://www.moolb.mo.gov. Bidders have five weeks to submit proposals.