DOJ's Bureau of Prisons awards $78K for ambulance services in Nevada, funded via continuing resolution

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $77,963 ($78.0K)

Contractor: Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-01-01

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 89 days

Daily Burn Rate: $876/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: B2, REMSA, FY 26 QTR2 JAN-MAR ORIGINAL ORDER FUNDED THRU CR 1 JAN 30

Place of Performance

Location: RENO, WASHOE County, NEVADA, 89502

State: Nevada Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $77,962.5 to REGIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AUTHORITY for work described as: B2, REMSA, FY 26 QTR2 JAN-MAR ORIGINAL ORDER FUNDED THRU CR 1 JAN 30 Key points: 1. Contract awarded using a BPA Call, indicating a pre-negotiated agreement for services. 2. The fixed-price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 3. Services are for a short duration, covering Q2 FY26. 4. The award is for ambulance services, a critical component of emergency response. 5. The contractor, Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority, is based in Nevada. 6. Funding is through a continuing resolution, suggesting potential budget uncertainties. 7. The contract was not competed under SAP, raising questions about competition.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $77,962.50 for approximately three months of ambulance services appears reasonable for a specific geographic area. However, without a benchmark for similar services provided to federal facilities in Nevada or comparable regions, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, but the lack of competitive bidding limits the ability to ascertain if the lowest possible price was achieved.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was awarded as a BPA Call and explicitly stated as 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP.' This suggests that the procurement may have leveraged an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement, but the specific competition details for the underlying BPA or this call-out are not provided. Without information on the number of bidders or the solicitation process, it is difficult to assess the level of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of clear competition details means taxpayers may not have benefited from the most competitive pricing that could have been achieved through a more open bidding process.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are inmates and staff at Bureau of Prisons facilities in Nevada requiring emergency medical transport. The service delivered is critical emergency medical transportation. The geographic impact is focused on Nevada, specifically the area served by the contractor. There are potential workforce implications for the contracted emergency medical services provider.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competitive bidding raises concerns about potential overpayment.
Reliance on continuing resolutions for funding can indicate unstable budget planning.
Limited transparency on the BPA call process hinders full accountability.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Contract is for a defined, short period, limiting long-term financial exposure.
Services are essential for inmate health and safety.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare services sector, specifically emergency medical services, is crucial for public safety and government operations. Federal agencies, like the Bureau of Prisons, often contract for these services to ensure timely medical care for their populations. The market for ambulance services can vary significantly by region, with established providers often holding local contracts. This award falls within the broader healthcare support services category.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. The award to Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority does not provide sufficient detail to assess its size or impact on the small business ecosystem without further investigation into the contractor's status.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would primarily fall under the Bureau of Prisons' contracting and facility management divisions. Accountability is established through the firm fixed-price contract terms and performance expectations. Transparency is limited by the lack of detailed competition information. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison System Medical Services
Bureau of Prisons Emergency Response Contracts
Department of Justice Healthcare Contracts
Nevada State EMS Contracts

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition
Funding via Continuing Resolution
Limited Performance Data Available

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $77,962.5 to REGIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AUTHORITY. B2, REMSA, FY 26 QTR2 JAN-MAR ORIGINAL ORDER FUNDED THRU CR 1 JAN 30

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is REGIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AUTHORITY.

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 $77,962.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-01. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the track record of Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority with federal contracts?

Information regarding Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority's specific track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their performance, one would need to review past federal contract awards, performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any history of disputes or contract terminations. Without this data, it's difficult to gauge their reliability and past success in fulfilling government requirements. Further research into federal procurement databases and contractor performance systems would be necessary.

How does the cost of this ambulance service compare to similar contracts?

A direct comparison of the cost for this ambulance service contract is challenging without access to benchmark data for similar services provided to federal facilities in Nevada or comparable geographic regions. The contract value of $77,962.50 for approximately three months is specific to the scope and location. To assess value, one would need to identify contracts for ambulance services with similar patient volumes, response times, and service levels, ideally within the same or similar states, and analyze their pricing structures. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty but doesn't inherently guarantee the best market rate without competitive context.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential issues stemming from the lack of competition, which could lead to suboptimal pricing for taxpayers. Reliance on a continuing resolution for funding introduces a risk of budget instability or potential funding lapses if appropriations are not finalized. Furthermore, the short duration and specific nature of the service mean that continuity of care could be disrupted if the contract is not renewed or if the contractor fails to perform adequately. Ensuring adequate oversight and performance monitoring is crucial to mitigate these risks.

How effective is the Bureau of Prisons in securing cost-effective emergency medical services?

Assessing the overall effectiveness of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in securing cost-effective emergency medical services requires a broader analysis of their contracting strategies and spending patterns across multiple facilities and contract types. This single award, funded via a continuing resolution and not competitively bid under SAP, presents a limited view. While the firm fixed-price nature offers predictability, the lack of competition raises questions about price discovery. A comprehensive evaluation would involve analyzing historical spending, competitive bidding rates, and performance outcomes for all BOP medical service contracts.

What are the historical spending patterns for ambulance services by the Department of Justice?

Historical spending patterns for ambulance services by the Department of Justice (DOJ) are not detailed in the provided data. To understand these patterns, one would need to analyze historical contract awards for ambulance services across all DOJ components, including the Bureau of Prisons, DEA, FBI, etc., over several fiscal years. This analysis should include contract values, competition levels, contract types, and geographic distribution. Such data would reveal trends in spending, identify major service providers, and highlight any shifts in procurement strategies or cost fluctuations over time.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › GENERAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 400 EDISON WAY, RENO, NV, 89502

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: $77,963

Exercised Options: $77,963

Current Obligation: $77,963

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15B61922A00000001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline