DOJ's $200K Ambulance Services Contract for Illinois Prisons Awarded to Peoria Hospitals

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $201,880 ($201.9K)

Contractor: Peoria Hospitals Mobile Medical Services

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2024-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $277/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: AMT AMBULANCE ANNUAL. RP #26-0016

Place of Performance

Location: WEST PEORIA, PEORIA County, ILLINOIS, 61604

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $201,880 to PEORIA HOSPITALS MOBILE MEDICAL SERVICES for work described as: AMT AMBULANCE ANNUAL. RP #26-0016 Key points: 1. Contract value appears modest, suggesting a focused service area or limited scope. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract need further examination to assess value. 3. Risk indicators are low given the contract type and value, but performance monitoring is key. 4. Service delivery is tied to a specific geographic location (Illinois), impacting regional access. 5. Positioned within the healthcare support services sector, specifically emergency medical transport. 6. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $200,188 over two years for ambulance services is relatively small. Benchmarking against similar contracts for emergency medical services within federal correctional facilities is difficult without more data on service volume and scope. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests predictable costs, but the overall value for money depends on the responsiveness and quality of the service provided by Peoria Hospitals.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a value likely below the threshold for full and open competition, but still allowing for multiple bids. The number of bidders is not specified, but SAP aims to promote competition for smaller procurements. This method suggests an effort to obtain competitive pricing for services valued under $250,000.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer competitive pricing, potentially leading to cost savings compared to sole-source awards.

Public Impact

Inmates within the Federal Prison System in Illinois will benefit from timely emergency medical transport. The service delivered is critical ambulance transportation for medical emergencies. Geographic impact is limited to the service area of the Federal Prison System facilities in Illinois. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for ambulance personnel and support staff employed by Peoria Hospitals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service disruptions if contractor faces operational issues.
Ensuring consistent quality of care and response times is crucial.
Dependence on a single provider for critical emergency services.

Positive Signals

Award to an established hospital system suggests a degree of reliability.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
Competition under SAP indicates an effort to secure fair pricing.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader healthcare support services sector, specifically focusing on emergency medical transportation. The market for ambulance services is often localized and fragmented, with significant operational costs related to vehicles, staffing, and medical equipment. Federal spending in this area typically supports facilities in remote locations or those with specialized needs, ensuring access to critical care.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, Peoria Hospitals, is likely a larger entity. There is no explicit information on subcontracting requirements, but given the nature of ambulance services, it's possible that specialized medical transport providers or equipment suppliers could be involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be outlined in the purchase order, including performance standards, response times, and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports are often internal.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Medical Services
Emergency Medical Services Contracts
Healthcare Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for service gaps if contractor fails to meet response times.
Need for robust performance monitoring by the agency.
Limited visibility into specific service volume and utilization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $201,880 to PEORIA HOSPITALS MOBILE MEDICAL SERVICES. AMT AMBULANCE ANNUAL. RP #26-0016

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PEORIA HOSPITALS MOBILE MEDICAL SERVICES.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $201,880.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of Peoria Hospitals in providing services to the federal government?

Information regarding Peoria Hospitals' specific track record with the federal government is not detailed in the provided data. As a hospital system, they likely have experience with government healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid. However, their history with federal contracts, particularly for direct service provision like ambulance transport to correctional facilities, would require further investigation through federal procurement databases (e.g., SAM.gov) or agency performance records. Understanding their past performance on similar contracts, including any past performance issues or commendations, is crucial for assessing reliability.

How does the awarded amount compare to typical costs for similar federal ambulance services?

The awarded amount of $200,188 over approximately two years (729 days) for ambulance services is relatively modest. Typical costs for federal ambulance services can vary significantly based on geographic location, the number of facilities served, the required response times, and the level of medical care provided. Contracts for large federal installations or those in remote areas might be substantially higher. Without specific details on the scope of services, number of transports, and geographic coverage for this contract, a direct comparison to market rates or similar federal contracts is challenging. However, the use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures suggests the value is below thresholds where more extensive benchmarking data is readily available.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the Bureau of Prisons?

The primary risks for the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in this contract revolve around service reliability and quality. Key risks include potential delays in emergency response times, which could have critical health consequences for inmates. There's also a risk of inconsistent quality of medical care provided during transport. Furthermore, if Peoria Hospitals experiences significant operational issues (e.g., staffing shortages, equipment failures), it could lead to service disruptions, forcing the BOP to seek emergency alternative services, potentially at a higher cost. Ensuring robust performance monitoring and clear contractual remedies is essential to mitigate these risks.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedure (SAP) in ensuring value for money in this case?

The effectiveness of SAP in ensuring value for money for this $200,188 contract depends on the level of competition achieved. SAP is designed to streamline the procurement process for purchases under $250,000, encouraging competition among a broader range of vendors than traditional methods. If multiple qualified vendors submitted bids, SAP likely facilitated a competitive price discovery process, leading to a fair market price. However, if competition was limited (e.g., only one or two responsive bidders), the value for money might be less certain. The BOP's diligence in soliciting offers and evaluating them properly under SAP guidelines is key to maximizing value.

What is the historical spending pattern for ambulance services by the Federal Prison System?

Historical spending patterns for ambulance services by the Federal Prison System (FPS) are not detailed in the provided data. To assess this, one would need to analyze past contract awards for similar services across various Bureau of Prisons facilities. Factors to consider would include the number of contracts awarded, their values, the duration of service periods, and the geographic distribution of these services. Understanding historical spending can reveal trends in pricing, contractor utilization, and potential areas for cost savings or consolidation. This specific contract represents a small portion of the overall FPS budget, but aggregated data could provide valuable insights.

Are there any specific performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) tied to this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) associated with this contract. However, for ambulance services, typical KPIs would likely include response times (e.g., time to arrive on scene, time to transport to a medical facility), patient care standards, vehicle maintenance and readiness, and staff qualifications. The purchase order agreement would detail these requirements, and the Bureau of Prisons would be responsible for monitoring Peoria Hospitals' adherence to them. Failure to meet these KPIs could result in contractual remedies, such as penalties or termination.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Other Ambulatory Health Care Services › Ambulance Services

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRAVEL, LODGING, RECRUITMENT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1718 N STERLING AVE, WEST PEORIA, IL, 61604

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $201,880

Exercised Options: $201,880

Current Obligation: $201,880

Actual Outlays: $38,776

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline