VA awards $3.8M ambulance service contract to First Care Ohio LLC for Cincinnati VAMC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,805,272 ($3.8M)

Contractor: First Care Ohio LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-02-01

End Date: 2027-01-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.5K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: AMBULANCE SERVICE FOR CINCINNATI VAMC

Place of Performance

Location: CINCINNATI, HAMILTON County, OHIO, 45220

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3.8 million to FIRST CARE OHIO LLC for work described as: AMBULANCE SERVICE FOR CINCINNATI VAMC Key points: 1. Contract awarded to First Care Ohio LLC for ambulance services. 2. The contract is a delivery order under a larger agreement. 3. The service is for the Cincinnati VA Medical Center. 4. The contract duration is approximately one year. 5. The contract is firm fixed price.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger, potentially pre-negotiated framework. Without knowing the terms of the base agreement, it's difficult to assess the pricing against similar contracts. The firm fixed price structure provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating a competitive process for acquisitions below certain thresholds. This method generally allows for broader participation and can lead to better price discovery compared to sole-source awards.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award under SAP suggests that taxpayers are likely receiving a fair price for the ambulance services provided.

Public Impact

Ensures essential ambulance services for veterans at the Cincinnati VAMC. Supports timely medical transport for patient care. Maintains operational readiness for emergency medical needs. Provides a critical healthcare support function within the VA system.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price creep if base agreement terms are unfavorable.
Reliance on a single vendor for a critical service.

Positive Signals

Competitive award process.
Firm fixed price contract type.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector relies heavily on specialized services like ambulance transport. Spending benchmarks for such services can vary significantly based on geographic location, service level, and contract structure. This award appears to be a standard procurement for essential medical support.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made by the Department of Veterans Affairs, which has established oversight mechanisms for contract management. The use of a delivery order under a competed contract suggests adherence to procurement regulations.

Related Government Programs

Ambulance Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for price escalation in future contract periods.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical service.
Limited visibility into the overall contract structure.
Need for robust performance monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3.8 million to FIRST CARE OHIO LLC. AMBULANCE SERVICE FOR CINCINNATI VAMC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FIRST CARE OHIO LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-02-01. End: 2027-01-31.

What was the total value of the base contract from which this delivery order was issued, and how does the pricing compare to other VA medical centers?

The provided data only details the value of this specific delivery order ($3.8M). Information regarding the base contract's total value and pricing comparisons across different VA facilities is not available. A comprehensive value assessment would require access to the master agreement and benchmarking data for similar services at other VA medical centers.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this ambulance service contract, and how is performance being monitored to mitigate risks?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not detailed in the provided data. Effective monitoring typically involves tracking response times, patient transport quality, equipment readiness, and compliance with medical protocols. The VA's contract management office would be responsible for overseeing these aspects to ensure service quality and mitigate performance-related risks.

How does the cost of this ambulance service compare to commercial providers in the Cincinnati area, and what is the justification for using a federal contract?

Benchmarking against commercial providers in Cincinnati is not possible with the given data. The justification for a federal contract likely stems from the VA's specific needs, service level agreements, and potentially negotiated rates that offer value or specialized capabilities not readily available commercially. The firm fixed price aims to control costs for the government.

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

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 955 REDNA TER # 1, CINCINNATI, OH, 45215

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,805,272

Exercised Options: $3,805,272

Current Obligation: $3,805,272

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C25024D5391

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline