FEMA awards $37.3M for Louisiana Hurricane Laura emergency response support to American Medical Response, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $37,269,267 ($37.3M)

Contractor: American Medical Response, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2020-08-27

End Date: 2020-09-04

Contract Duration: 8 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.7M/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF LOUISIANA HURRICANE LAURA RESPONSE EFFORTS.

Place of Performance

Location: GONZALES, ASCENSION County, LOUISIANA, 70737

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $37.3 million to AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE, INC. for work described as: EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF LOUISIANA HURRICANE LAURA RESPONSE EFFORTS. Key points: 1. Significant award for emergency response services, highlighting critical infrastructure needs. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration was short, reflecting the urgent nature of the response. 4. Focus on ambulance services indicates a direct impact on public health and safety.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $37.3M for an 8-day period suggests a high per diem rate. Benchmarking against similar emergency response contracts would be necessary for a precise value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders likely participated. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were used to procure essential emergency services during a natural disaster, ensuring critical support was available.

Public Impact

Ensured immediate medical support and transportation for affected populations during a major hurricane. Provided critical resources to supplement local emergency management capabilities. Facilitated the continuity of essential healthcare services in a disaster zone.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns in time and materials contracts during emergencies.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical response services.

Positive Signals

Rapid deployment of essential services.
Successful support of disaster relief efforts.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under emergency management and healthcare support services, a sector often experiencing surge demand during natural disasters. Spending benchmarks for such rapid-response services can vary widely based on the scale of the event.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were subcontracted.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was a delivery order under a larger contract, suggesting existing oversight mechanisms. However, the rapid nature of emergency response can sometimes challenge detailed oversight.

Related Government Programs

Ambulance Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Short contract duration may indicate a need for follow-on support.
Lack of small business participation noted.
Urgency of response may have limited thorough vetting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $37.3 million to AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE, INC.. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF LOUISIANA HURRICANE LAURA RESPONSE EFFORTS.

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 $37.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-08-27. End: 2020-09-04.

Was the pricing structure (Time and Materials) appropriate for the scope and duration of the emergency response, and did it ensure value for money?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts can be suitable for emergency response where the exact scope is unpredictable. However, they carry a higher risk of cost overruns if not closely monitored. FEMA likely aimed to balance the need for rapid deployment with cost control, but a post-award review of actual costs versus estimated needs would clarify the value achieved.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how effectively were they met to ensure mission success and mitigate risks?

Specific KPIs for this emergency response contract likely focused on response times, patient transport numbers, and resource availability. Given the critical nature of hurricane response, meeting these KPIs would be paramount. FEMA's internal assessments and after-action reports would detail the contractor's performance against these metrics and identify any areas for improvement in future responses.

How did the full and open competition process ensure the best possible outcome in terms of cost, quality, and speed for this urgent requirement?

Full and open competition theoretically allows the government to receive offers from all responsible sources, fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and service quality. For an urgent requirement like hurricane response, the speed of the procurement process is also critical. The success of this competition would be measured by the responsiveness of bidders and the ultimate effectiveness of the selected contractor in meeting the immediate needs.

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: $37,269,267

Exercised Options: $37,269,267

Current Obligation: $37,269,267

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSFE7017D0014

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline