Emergency Ambulance Services: $446K Purchase Order for Pine Ridge IHS Hospital Amidst Short-Term Need

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $446,080 ($446.1K)

Contractor: BAY Area Anesthesia LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-04-11

End Date: 2026-10-09

Contract Duration: 181 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: 26-WEEK SHORT-TERM PURCHASE ORDER FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TECHNICIAN SERVICE TO SUPPORT THE PINE RIDGE IHS HOSPITAL AMBULANCE EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICE. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE WILL INCLUDE A BASE POP DATED 04/11/2026 TO 07/10/2026 AND OPTION (1) POP

Place of Performance

Location: PINE RIDGE, SHANNON County, SOUTH DAKOTA, 57770

State: South Dakota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $446,080 to BAY AREA ANESTHESIA LLC for work described as: 26-WEEK SHORT-TERM PURCHASE ORDER FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TECHNICIAN SERVICE TO SUPPORT THE PINE RIDGE IHS HOSPITAL AMBULANCE EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICE. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE WILL INCLUDE A BASE POP DATED 04/11/2026 TO 07/10/2026 AND OPTION (1) POP Key points: 1. This purchase order addresses an immediate need for emergency management technician services. 2. The contract is for a short duration (181 days), indicating a temporary requirement. 3. The lack of competition raises questions about potential overpayment and value for taxpayer money. 4. The sector is healthcare, specifically supporting emergency response services at an Indian Health Service hospital.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract is a firm-fixed-price purchase order for temporary help services. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if the $446,080 price represents fair market value compared to similar emergency response technician services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, suggesting a sole-source or limited competition award. This limits price discovery and may result in a higher cost to the government than if multiple vendors had competed.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this emergency service could lead to taxpayers paying a premium for the required support.

Public Impact

Ensures critical ambulance emergency response services are available for the Pine Ridge IHS Hospital. Supports the health and safety of the local community by maintaining emergency medical capabilities. Addresses a short-term operational gap in staffing for emergency medical services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Short-term nature may indicate recurring need not addressed strategically
Potential for inflated pricing due to sole-source award

Positive Signals

Addresses an immediate and critical need for emergency services
Supports a vital healthcare facility within the Indian Health Service

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Healthcare sector, specifically supporting emergency medical services. Benchmarks for temporary healthcare staffing can vary widely, but a lack of competition often inflates costs.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were considered or awarded this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business set-aside opportunities were missed.

Oversight & Accountability

The award is a purchase order, which typically has less stringent oversight than larger contracts. The lack of competition warrants scrutiny to ensure the price is justified.

Related Government Programs

Temporary Help Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Indian Health Service Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for price gouging
Short-term solution may mask a recurring need
No clear justification for sole-source award provided

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $446,080 to BAY AREA ANESTHESIA LLC. 26-WEEK SHORT-TERM PURCHASE ORDER FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TECHNICIAN SERVICE TO SUPPORT THE PINE RIDGE IHS HOSPITAL AMBULANCE EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICE. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE WILL INCLUDE A BASE POP DATED 04/11/2026 TO 07/10/2026 AND OPTION (1) POP

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BAY AREA ANESTHESIA LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Indian Health Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $446,080.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-11. End: 2026-10-09.

What is the justification for not competing this requirement, and what steps were taken to ensure a fair price was negotiated?

The justification for not competing this requirement is not provided in the data. Typically, emergency situations or unique capabilities might warrant sole-source awards. However, without further documentation, it's impossible to verify the necessity. Steps to ensure a fair price would ideally involve market research, comparison to historical data, or negotiation with the vendor, but the extent of these actions is unknown.

What is the risk associated with relying on a short-term, non-competed purchase order for essential emergency services?

The primary risk is the potential for inflated costs due to the lack of competition, meaning taxpayers may be overpaying. Additionally, reliance on short-term contracts can create instability in service delivery if the need extends beyond the initial period. There's also a risk that the vendor may not be the most qualified or cost-effective option available in the long run.

How effective is this procurement strategy in ensuring long-term, cost-efficient emergency medical support for the Pine Ridge IHS Hospital?

This strategy is likely ineffective for long-term, cost-efficient support. A short-term, non-competed purchase order addresses an immediate gap but does not establish a sustainable or economical solution. A more effective approach would involve strategic sourcing, potentially through a longer-term competitively awarded contract, to secure better pricing and ensure consistent service quality.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Employment Services › Temporary Help Services

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › OTHER MEDICAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 75H70626Q00123

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1839 S ALMA SCHOOL RD STE 360, MESA, AZ, 85210

Business Categories: American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $892,160

Exercised Options: $446,080

Current Obligation: $446,080

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline