DOJ awards $815K ambulance services contract to American Medical Response in Colorado

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $81,528 ($81.5K)

Contractor: American Medical Response of Colorado, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-10-01

End Date: 2026-04-03

Contract Duration: 184 days

Daily Burn Rate: $443/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: FY26 B2 AMR AMBULANCE SVC OCT 25- MARCH 2026

Place of Performance

Location: FLORENCE, FREMONT County, COLORADO, 81226

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $81,528 to AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE OF COLORADO, INC. for work described as: FY26 B2 AMR AMBULANCE SVC OCT 25- MARCH 2026 Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential ambulance services to support federal correctional facilities. 2. The contract utilizes a Firm Fixed Price structure, providing cost certainty. 3. Competition was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a streamlined process for smaller procurements. 4. The duration of the contract is 184 days, indicating a short-term need. 5. The award is a Delivery Order, likely part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar framework. 6. The contractor, American Medical Response, is a significant provider of emergency medical services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $815,280 for 184 days of ambulance services appears reasonable given the critical nature of the service and the specialized equipment and personnel required. Benchmarking against similar contracts for emergency medical services to federal facilities is challenging without more specific details on service levels and geographic coverage. However, the firm fixed-price nature suggests that the government has locked in a price, which can be advantageous.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which is typically used for procurements valued at or below the SAT (currently $250,000, but can be higher for certain agencies/circumstances). This suggests a competitive process was employed, likely involving multiple quotes from qualified vendors. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but SAP generally aims for adequate price competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Utilizing SAP for this procurement likely resulted in a more efficient and cost-effective process for taxpayers compared to a full-scale competitive solicitation, while still ensuring a degree of price competition.

Public Impact

Federal inmates and staff within the Bureau of Prisons facilities in Colorado will benefit from timely emergency medical transport. The contract ensures the availability of critical ambulance services, maintaining operational continuity for correctional institutions. The geographic impact is focused on the areas served by the specific federal correctional facilities in Colorado. The contract supports the operational workforce of American Medical Response, including paramedics, EMTs, and support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service gaps if the contractor faces unforeseen operational challenges.
Reliance on a single provider for a critical service could pose risks during emergencies.
Limited duration may necessitate a rapid re-competition or extension, potentially impacting continuity.

Positive Signals

Award to an established provider with a track record in emergency medical services.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides budget certainty.
Competitive procurement process under SAP likely secured a fair market price.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare services sector, specifically emergency medical transportation, is a critical component of public health infrastructure. This contract falls within the broader category of healthcare support services for government entities. The market for ambulance services is often localized, with established providers serving specific regions. The value of this contract is relatively small within the overall federal spending landscape for healthcare services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). American Medical Response is a large provider, and it is unlikely that significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would arise from this specific award, though the prime contractor may have its own internal small business utilization programs.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Bureau of Prisons. Performance monitoring, service delivery verification, and invoice approval are standard accountability measures. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award being publicly available, though detailed performance metrics are not usually disclosed.

Related Government Programs

Federal Bureau of Prisons Medical Services
Department of Justice Emergency Medical Support
Ambulance Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may require rapid re-competition.
Reliance on a single provider for critical services.
Simplified Acquisition Procedures may limit the depth of competition compared to larger solicitations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $81,528 to AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE OF COLORADO, INC.. FY26 B2 AMR AMBULANCE SVC OCT 25- MARCH 2026

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE OF COLORADO, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $81,528.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2026-04-03.

What is the historical spending pattern for ambulance services by the Federal Prison System in Colorado?

Analyzing historical spending for ambulance services by the Federal Prison System in Colorado requires access to detailed procurement data beyond this single award. Typically, agencies like the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) may utilize a mix of contract types, including base contracts with delivery orders or task orders, and potentially indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts. Spending can fluctuate based on facility needs, inmate population health trends, and the availability of local civilian emergency medical services. Without specific historical data for this region or facility, it's difficult to establish a precise pattern. However, it is common for federal facilities to contract for these services to ensure rapid response and specialized care, especially in locations where civilian EMS response times might be longer or capacity is limited. The current award of $815,280 for an 184-day period suggests a significant, ongoing need for these services.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar ambulance service contracts awarded by other federal agencies?

Direct price comparison is challenging without knowing the exact service levels, response times, geographic coverage, and patient volume stipulated in this contract. However, the contract value of $815,280 for approximately six months of service implies a daily rate of roughly $4,430. This figure encompasses all operational costs, including personnel, vehicles, equipment, and administrative overhead. When benchmarking, it's crucial to consider if this rate includes 24/7 availability, advanced life support (ALS) capabilities, and guaranteed response times. Contracts with higher service level agreements or in areas with higher operational costs would naturally command higher prices. The firm fixed-price nature suggests the government sought cost certainty, and the use of SAP implies a competitive process aimed at achieving a fair market price within the simplified acquisition framework.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the contractor's performance under this contract?

While specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data, typical performance indicators for ambulance service contracts include response time adherence (e.g., meeting target times for ALS and BLS responses), patient care quality (adherence to medical protocols, patient outcomes), vehicle availability and maintenance, crew staffing levels, and compliance with all federal regulations and reporting requirements. The contracting officer's representative (COR) would likely monitor these metrics through regular reports, site visits, and potentially patient feedback mechanisms. Failure to meet critical KPIs could result in contract deficiencies, penalties, or non-renewal. The firm fixed-price nature incentivizes the contractor to meet these performance standards efficiently.

What is the track record of American Medical Response (AMR) in providing services to federal agencies?

American Medical Response (AMR) is a major provider of emergency medical services across the United States, often holding contracts with municipalities, counties, and sometimes federal agencies. Their track record with federal agencies can be varied, as with any large contractor. They frequently provide services to military bases, Veterans Affairs hospitals, and other federal installations. While specific details of past federal contract performance are not provided here, AMR's extensive experience in the civilian EMS sector suggests a strong operational capability. Potential federal clients would typically review past performance information, including CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System) ratings, if available, to gauge reliability, quality of service, and adherence to contractual terms before awarding new contracts.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the local Colorado EMS market?

This contract award to American Medical Response (AMR) for federal facilities in Colorado could have several impacts on the local EMS market. Firstly, it solidifies AMR's presence and revenue stream within the state, potentially allowing them to maintain or enhance their operational capacity, including staffing and equipment. Secondly, by competing under SAP, the award process likely involved other local or regional EMS providers submitting quotes, thus stimulating a degree of competition. If AMR is a dominant provider, this contract might limit opportunities for smaller, local providers to secure such a government contract. Conversely, it could also signal to other providers that federal contracts are accessible, encouraging them to pursue similar opportunities. The overall impact depends on the specific geographic area served and the competitive landscape of EMS providers in that region of Colorado.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 15B40621Q00000007

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6363 S FIDDLERS GREEN CIR STE 1400, 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: $81,528

Exercised Options: $81,528

Current Obligation: $81,528

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15B40621D00000194

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline