FEMA awards $29.4M for emergency medical support during Hurricane Milton response in Florida
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $29,361,134 ($29.4M)
Contractor: American Medical Response, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2024-10-07
End Date: 2025-01-22
Contract Duration: 107 days
Daily Burn Rate: $274.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Healthcare
Official Description: EMERGENCY MEDICAL SUPPORT SERVICES WITHIN CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES AND TERRITORIES SPECIFICALLY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA IN RESPONSE TO HURRICANE MILTON.
Place of Performance
Location: ASHEVILLE, BUNCOMBE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28801
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $29.4 million to AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE, INC. for work described as: EMERGENCY MEDICAL SUPPORT SERVICES WITHIN CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES AND TERRITORIES SPECIFICALLY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA IN RESPONSE TO HURRICANE MILTON. Key points: 1. Contract addresses critical need for medical services during a natural disaster. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Delivery order structure indicates a response to an immediate, specific requirement. 4. Contract duration of 107 days aligns with disaster recovery timelines. 5. Focus on Florida highlights a geographically targeted emergency response effort. 6. The award value is significant, reflecting the scale of the disaster and required services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $29.4 million for emergency medical support services appears reasonable given the scope and urgency of a hurricane response. Benchmarking against similar disaster relief contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The pricing structure (Time and Materials) is common for rapidly evolving emergency situations where exact resource needs are difficult to predict upfront. However, it necessitates careful monitoring to ensure costs remain controlled.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and service quality. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests a robust process was intended. The agency's decision to use this method implies confidence in the market's ability to meet the demanding requirements of emergency medical support.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it is designed to drive down costs through market forces, ensuring federal funds are used efficiently for critical disaster relief operations.
Public Impact
Residents and visitors in Florida impacted by Hurricane Milton receive essential emergency medical care. Services include ambulance transport, on-site medical assistance, and potentially triage support. The geographic impact is concentrated within the state of Florida, addressing immediate local needs. This contract supports the deployment of medical personnel and resources, potentially impacting the healthcare workforce in the affected region.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials pricing if not closely managed.
- Ensuring adequate staffing levels and quality of care during a high-stress event.
- Logistical challenges in deploying and sustaining medical services in a disaster zone.
Positive Signals
- Rapid deployment of critical medical services to an affected population.
- Utilizing a proven contractor with experience in emergency medical response.
- Clear definition of service area (Continental US and Territories, specifically Florida).
Sector Analysis
The emergency medical services sector is critical for public health and safety, particularly during crises. This contract falls under the broader healthcare services industry, specifically focusing on emergency response. Federal spending in this area often surges during natural disasters. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the unique and unpredictable nature of emergency events, but large-scale disaster responses typically involve significant resource allocation.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements for this contract. Given the nature of emergency medical support services during a major hurricane, the primary contractor likely possesses specialized capabilities. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities exist for small businesses in supporting roles or if the scale of the operation necessitates large, established providers.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will likely be managed by FEMA, with contract officers ensuring adherence to the terms and conditions. Performance monitoring will be crucial, especially given the Time and Materials pricing. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases, and the Inspector General's office may conduct audits to ensure proper use of funds and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Disaster Relief Funding
- Emergency Medical Services Contracts
- Federal Emergency Management Agency Operations
- Hurricane Response Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing.
- Ensuring contractor performance meets critical medical needs during a high-stress event.
- Logistical complexities of operating in a disaster-stricken area.
Tags
healthcare, emergency-medical-services, fema, department-of-homeland-security, florida, delivery-order, full-and-open-competition, time-and-materials, disaster-response, hurricane-response, medical-support
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $29.4 million to AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE, INC.. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SUPPORT SERVICES WITHIN CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES AND TERRITORIES SPECIFICALLY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA IN RESPONSE TO HURRICANE MILTON.
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 $29.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-10-07. End: 2025-01-22.
What is the track record of American Medical Response, Inc. in handling large-scale disaster response contracts?
American Medical Response, Inc. (AMR) is a major provider of emergency medical services and has a significant history of responding to national disasters, including hurricanes, earthquakes, and mass casualty events. They are often a primary contractor for FEMA and other government agencies during such crises. Their experience typically involves mobilizing large numbers of ambulances, personnel, and establishing temporary medical facilities. While their extensive experience is a positive signal, past performance reviews and specific contract outcomes would need to be examined to fully assess their capabilities and any potential issues encountered in previous large-scale disaster responses.
How does the $29.4 million award compare to typical FEMA emergency medical support contracts?
The $29.4 million award for emergency medical support services in Florida is substantial, reflecting the significant impact of Hurricane Milton and the critical need for immediate medical assistance. FEMA contracts for disaster response can vary widely in value depending on the scale of the event, duration, and specific services required. While this figure is significant, it is not necessarily outside the norm for major hurricane responses where widespread infrastructure damage and population displacement necessitate extensive medical aid. A direct comparison would require analyzing contracts for similarly sized hurricanes and the specific services rendered, but the value appears commensurate with a large-scale disaster relief effort.
What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for emergency medical services during a disaster?
The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, especially in a disaster scenario, is the potential for cost escalation. Since payment is based on the actual labor hours and material costs incurred, there is less upfront cost certainty for the government compared to a fixed-price contract. In a chaotic disaster environment, resource needs can fluctuate rapidly, potentially leading to extended work hours or the use of more expensive materials than initially anticipated. Effective oversight, detailed record-keeping, and clear task definitions are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure that costs remain reasonable and justifiable.
What is the expected effectiveness of these services in mitigating public health impacts post-hurricane?
The effectiveness of these emergency medical support services is expected to be high in mitigating public health impacts post-hurricane. By providing timely medical care, including transport for the injured, treatment for pre-existing conditions exacerbated by the disaster, and potentially managing public health crises like outbreaks, the services directly address immediate life-saving needs. The rapid deployment of medical personnel and resources can prevent further loss of life and reduce the burden on overwhelmed local healthcare facilities. The contract's focus on the affected region ensures that aid is directed where it is most critically needed.
What historical spending patterns exist for FEMA emergency medical support in Florida, and how does this award compare?
FEMA's spending on emergency medical support in Florida has historically been significant, particularly in years with active hurricane seasons. Florida's vulnerability to hurricanes means that the agency frequently engages contracts for medical services following major storm events. The $29.4 million award for Hurricane Milton response is substantial, but its historical context depends on the severity of this specific hurricane compared to past events like Irma or Michael. Analyzing FEMA's disaster relief spending reports for Florida over the past decade would reveal patterns of contract values for similar-scale events, allowing for a comparison of this award's magnitude within that historical framework.
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
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: American Medical Response West
Address: 6363 S FIDDLERS GREEN CIR FL 14, 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: $29,361,134
Exercised Options: $29,361,134
Current Obligation: $29,361,134
Actual Outlays: $29,361,134
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 70FB7022D00000027
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-10-07
Current End Date: 2025-01-22
Potential End Date: 2025-01-22 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-01-23
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