DHS FEMA awards $27.5M for Hurricane Florence air ambulance services via full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $27,457,135 ($27.5M)
Contractor: American Medical Response, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2018-09-11
End Date: 2018-09-27
Contract Duration: 16 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.7M/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: NATIONAL MEDICAL TRANSPORT AND SUPPORT SERVICES - AIR AMBULANCE SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF HURRICANE FLORENCE
Place of Performance
Location: SPARTANBURG, SPARTANBURG County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29301
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $27.5 million to AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE, INC. for work described as: NATIONAL MEDICAL TRANSPORT AND SUPPORT SERVICES - AIR AMBULANCE SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF HURRICANE FLORENCE Key points: 1. Significant award for emergency medical transport during a major disaster. 2. Full and open competition suggests potential for competitive pricing. 3. Short duration of contract (16 days) indicates a specific, urgent need. 4. Focus on air ambulance services highlights critical infrastructure support.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award of $27.5M for a 16-day period for air ambulance services appears reasonable given the emergency context of Hurricane Florence. Benchmarking against similar disaster response contracts would provide further clarity on value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded using full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing and allows for a broad range of capable vendors to bid. This method is ideal for ensuring the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were utilized efficiently through a competitive process to secure essential services during a critical natural disaster response.
Public Impact
Ensured critical medical transport for affected populations during Hurricane Florence. Supported FEMA's disaster response operations in South Carolina. Provided specialized air ambulance capabilities in a time of urgent need.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in emergency response scenarios.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical services during a crisis.
Positive Signals
- Successful execution of emergency air medical transport.
- Utilized competitive bidding process for award.
Sector Analysis
The healthcare sector, particularly emergency medical services, saw significant spending during Hurricane Florence. This contract falls within the broader category of emergency response and medical support services, often characterized by urgent needs and rapid deployment.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses participated in or benefited from this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
FEMA's oversight would have been crucial to ensure timely and effective delivery of air ambulance services, proper utilization of funds, and adherence to contract terms during the emergency.
Related Government Programs
- Ambulance Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract awarded during a declared emergency.
- Short contract duration suggests a critical, time-sensitive need.
- High dollar value for a brief period.
- Reliance on specialized medical transport services.
Tags
ambulance-services, department-of-homeland-security, sc, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $27.5 million to AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE, INC.. NATIONAL MEDICAL TRANSPORT AND SUPPORT SERVICES - AIR AMBULANCE SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF HURRICANE FLORENCE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Emergency Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $27.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-09-11. End: 2018-09-27.
Was the pricing competitive considering the urgency and specialized nature of air ambulance services during a natural disaster?
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive environment. However, the urgency and unique demands of disaster response, including specialized aircraft and medical personnel, can influence pricing. A detailed cost analysis comparing this award to similar emergency air medical contracts would be necessary to definitively assess competitiveness.
What were the primary risks associated with this contract, and how were they mitigated?
Key risks included potential service disruptions due to weather, availability of specialized medical personnel, and ensuring patient safety during transport in challenging conditions. Mitigation likely involved robust contingency planning by the vendor, close coordination with FEMA, and adherence to strict medical protocols.
How effective was the contracted air ambulance service in supporting the overall disaster response efforts for Hurricane Florence?
The effectiveness can be measured by the number of patients transported, the timeliness of the service, and the impact on reducing mortality and morbidity in affected areas. Successful delivery of critical medical care via air transport would indicate high effectiveness in supporting the disaster response.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Other Ambulatory Health Care Services › Ambulance Services
Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › OTHER MEDICAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: HSFE70-17-R-0008
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Rural/Metro Fire Dept., Inc. (UEI: 832700053)
Address: 6363 S FIDDLERS GREEN CIR 14TH FL, GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO, 80111
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $27,457,135
Exercised Options: $27,457,135
Current Obligation: $27,457,135
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HSFE7017D0014
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-09-11
Current End Date: 2018-09-27
Potential End Date: 2018-09-27 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-04-02
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