DOJ's $126K Ambulance Services Contract Awarded to Sierra Medical Services Alliance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $126,727 ($126.7K)

Contractor: Sierra Medical Services Alliance

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-01-01

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 89 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: B2, SEMSA AMBULANCE, FY 26 QUARTER 2 JAN-MAR FUNDED THRU CR 1 JANUARY 30

Place of Performance

Location: HERLONG, LASSEN County, CALIFORNIA, 96113

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $126,726.79 to SIERRA MEDICAL SERVICES ALLIANCE for work described as: B2, SEMSA AMBULANCE, FY 26 QUARTER 2 JAN-MAR FUNDED THRU CR 1 JANUARY 30 Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential ambulance services to support federal correctional facilities. 2. Limited competition due to the nature of emergency medical services in specific locations. 3. Performance period is short, indicating a potential need for ongoing or future contracts. 4. The contract is a firm-fixed-price purchase order, providing cost certainty. 5. Services are geographically concentrated in California, serving the Federal Prison System. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $126,726.79 for a 3-month period appears reasonable for specialized medical transport services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for ambulance services within federal correctional facilities is challenging due to the specific nature and location. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests a degree of cost control. Further analysis would require comparing per-incident costs or rates to regional averages for emergency medical services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition scenario. The data specifies 'NOT COMPETED'. This suggests that Sierra Medical Services Alliance was likely the only viable provider or was selected through a non-competitive process, possibly due to existing relationships, specialized capabilities, or urgent need. The lack of competition limits price discovery and may not yield the most cost-effective outcome for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of a competitive bidding process means taxpayers may not benefit from the potentially lower prices that could arise from multiple vendors vying for the contract.

Public Impact

Federal inmates and staff within the Bureau of Prisons in California will receive essential emergency medical transportation. Ensures continuity of care and timely access to advanced medical services for a vulnerable population. Supports the operational readiness of federal correctional facilities by providing critical life-saving services. Maintains public safety by ensuring medical emergencies within facilities are adequately addressed.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Limited transparency in the selection process due to non-competitive award.
Potential for vendor lock-in if this becomes a recurring sole-source award.

Positive Signals

Ensures critical medical services are available for federal inmates and staff.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
Specific focus on a critical need within the Bureau of Prisons.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare services sector, specifically emergency medical services, is critical for government operations, including correctional facilities. This contract falls under the broader category of healthcare support services. While specific market size data for federal prison ambulance services is not readily available, the demand for such services is consistent across correctional systems nationwide. Benchmarking against commercial ambulance service contracts in California could provide some context, though federal requirements may differ.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it indicate any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to Sierra Medical Services Alliance, a single entity, suggests that small businesses were not actively solicited or considered as primary contractors for this specific requirement. This limits opportunities for small business participation in providing these essential services to the Bureau of Prisons.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) contracting officers and program managers within the Department of Justice. As a purchase order, it is subject to standard procurement regulations and oversight. The firm-fixed-price nature simplifies some aspects of financial oversight. Transparency is limited due to the non-competitive award, but contract performance would be monitored through established reporting mechanisms.

Related Government Programs

Federal Bureau of Prisons Medical Services
Department of Justice Emergency Medical Services
Correctional Facility Healthcare Contracts
Ambulance Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Non-competitive award
Limited performance period
Potential for higher costs without competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $126,726.79 to SIERRA MEDICAL SERVICES ALLIANCE. B2, SEMSA AMBULANCE, FY 26 QUARTER 2 JAN-MAR FUNDED THRU CR 1 JANUARY 30

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SIERRA MEDICAL SERVICES ALLIANCE.

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 $126,726.79.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-01. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the track record of Sierra Medical Services Alliance with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Justice or Bureau of Prisons?

Information regarding Sierra Medical Services Alliance's specific track record with federal contracts, especially with the Department of Justice or the Bureau of Prisons, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require accessing federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS to identify past awards, performance history, and any reported issues. Without this data, it's difficult to assess their experience and reliability for this specific contract. However, the award of this purchase order suggests they meet minimum requirements for providing the service.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar ambulance services procured by other federal agencies or state correctional systems?

Direct cost comparison is difficult without specific benchmark data for similar services. The contract value of $126,726.79 for a 3-month period (January 1 to March 31, 2026) translates to approximately $42,242 per month. This figure needs to be contextualized by the volume of services required, response times, geographic coverage within California, and the specific medical capabilities mandated by the Bureau of Prisons. To perform a robust comparison, one would need to analyze per-ambulance rates, per-call charges, or daily standby rates from comparable contracts, considering variations in service levels and operational environments.

What are the primary risks associated with a non-competed contract for essential services like ambulance transport?

The primary risks associated with a non-competed contract for essential services include potential overpayment due to lack of price competition, reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate or improve efficiency, and a lack of transparency in the procurement process. Taxpayers may not receive the best value for their money. Furthermore, relying on a single source can create a vulnerability if the contractor fails to perform or experiences operational issues, potentially disrupting critical services. This also limits opportunities for new or smaller providers to enter the market.

How effective is the Bureau of Prisons in ensuring adequate medical care through contracted services?

The effectiveness of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in ensuring adequate medical care through contracted services is a complex issue with varying reports. While the BOP aims to provide necessary medical care, challenges such as understaffing, budget constraints, and the unique health needs of the incarcerated population can impact service delivery. Contracted services, like this ambulance contract, are intended to supplement internal capabilities and ensure specialized needs are met. Oversight mechanisms, performance monitoring, and adherence to established medical protocols are crucial for effectiveness. Inspector General reports and inmate advocacy groups often highlight areas for improvement.

What has been the historical spending pattern for ambulance services by the Federal Prison System?

Historical spending patterns for ambulance services by the Federal Prison System (FPS) are not detailed in the provided data. To analyze this, one would need to examine historical contract awards and obligations over multiple fiscal years. This would involve querying federal procurement databases for contracts classified under NAICS code 621910 (Ambulance Services) awarded by the Bureau of Prisons. Such an analysis could reveal trends in contract values, the number of awards, the prevalence of competitive versus non-competitive procurements, and the primary contractors utilized over time.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Other Ambulatory Health Care Services › Ambulance Services

Product/Service Code: MEDICAL SERVICES › GENERAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1325 AIRMOTIVE WAY STE 290, RENO, NV, 89502

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $163,306

Exercised Options: $163,306

Current Obligation: $126,727

Actual Outlays: $39,970

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline