VA awards $580K ambulance services contract to Alert Ambulance Service in Rhode Island

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $579,837 ($579.8K)

Contractor: Alert Ambulance Service, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2021-06-30

End Date: 2021-06-30

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: ALS/BLS AMBULANCE TRANSPORT SERVICES PROVIDENCE VAMC

Place of Performance

Location: PROVIDENCE, PROVIDENCE County, RHODE ISLAND, 02908

State: Rhode Island Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $579,837.42 to ALERT AMBULANCE SERVICE, INC. for work described as: ALS/BLS AMBULANCE TRANSPORT SERVICES PROVIDENCE VAMC Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract value of approximately $580K appears modest for a year-long service provision. 3. Performance period is a single day, raising questions about the scope and nature of services. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 5. No small business set-aside was utilized, indicating the primary awardee was not a small business. 6. The service falls under the Ambulance Services NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $579,837.42 for a single day of service is unusual and warrants further investigation into the scope of work. Without more information on the specific services rendered, it's difficult to benchmark against similar contracts. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests an attempt to manage costs predictably. The absence of detailed performance metrics makes a comprehensive value assessment challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which is a specific type of full and open competition. While the exact number of bidders is not provided, this designation implies that multiple sources were considered and that the exclusion of certain sources was justified. The competitive nature should theoretically lead to better price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and improve service quality.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include veterans receiving medical care at the Providence VAMC. Services delivered are ambulance transport, crucial for patient access to care. Geographic impact is localized to Rhode Island, specifically serving the Providence area. Workforce implications include employment for ambulance personnel and support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The single-day performance period is highly unusual and requires clarification on the actual service duration or if this represents a specific event or task order.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the quality and effectiveness of the services provided.
The justification for 'Exclusion of Sources' within a full and open competition needs further examination to ensure no viable small businesses were unfairly excluded.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded through a competitive process, indicating an effort to secure fair pricing.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The service directly supports the healthcare mission of the VA by ensuring patient transport.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare sector, particularly emergency medical services, is a critical component of government healthcare provision. The market for ambulance services is often localized and can be influenced by regulatory requirements and the presence of established providers. This contract fits within the broader category of healthcare support services procured by federal agencies to ensure the well-being of beneficiaries.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary awardee is likely a larger entity, and the contract did not specifically aim to boost the small business ecosystem in this instance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring delivery of services as specified. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award data being publicly available, though detailed performance reports may be internal.

Related Government Programs

Emergency Medical Services Contracts
Veteran Healthcare Services
Medical Transportation Services

Risk Flags

Unusual single-day performance period for a significant contract value.
Lack of detailed performance metrics.
Potential for limited competition due to 'Exclusion of Sources' clause.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $579,837.42 to ALERT AMBULANCE SERVICE, INC.. ALS/BLS AMBULANCE TRANSPORT SERVICES PROVIDENCE VAMC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALERT AMBULANCE SERVICE, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $579,837.42.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-06-30. End: 2021-06-30.

What is the specific nature of the ambulance services provided under this contract, given the single-day performance period?

The contract's performance period is listed as a single day (2021-06-30) with a value of $579,837.42. This is highly atypical for standard ambulance transport services, which usually span longer periods or are task-ordered against a base contract. It is possible this represents a specific, high-demand event, a critical transport requiring specialized resources, or a data entry anomaly where the end date is incorrectly listed. Without further clarification from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the exact scope and justification for this single-day, high-value award remain unclear. Standard ambulance services are typically priced per transport or on a longer-term contract basis to ensure continuous availability.

How does the award amount of approximately $580K for a single day of ambulance service compare to market rates or similar VA contracts?

Benchmarking this contract is challenging due to the unusual single-day performance period. If this represents a single day of routine ambulance operations, the cost appears exceptionally high. For context, typical ambulance service contracts, even for dedicated units, are often structured over longer periods with rates per transport or daily standby fees that would likely result in a significantly lower daily expenditure. For example, a year-long contract might be valued in the hundreds of thousands, implying a much lower daily average. The high value for a single day suggests either a highly specialized service, an emergency response to a large-scale event, or a potential pricing anomaly that warrants further investigation by the VA.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for ambulance services, especially with a short performance period?

The primary risk with a firm fixed-price contract is that the contractor may cut corners on service quality or staffing to maximize profit, especially if the pricing is aggressive or the scope is underestimated. For ambulance services, this could manifest as delayed response times, inadequate equipment, or insufficient staffing. Given the short, single-day performance period here, the risk might be more related to ensuring the contractor can mobilize adequate resources for that specific day and that the price accurately reflects the demand. If the demand was underestimated by the contractor, they might incur losses; if overestimated, the government might have overpaid for the actual services rendered.

What does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' designation imply about the bidding process and potential contractor pool?

This designation indicates that the solicitation was intended for full and open competition, but specific sources were excluded for documented reasons (e.g., national security, specific capabilities not met by others). While it aims for broad competition, the exclusion clause means not all potential offerors were considered. This could potentially limit price competition if the excluded sources were significant players. The justification for exclusion is critical; if valid, it ensures the award goes to the most capable source. If not well-justified, it could lead to higher prices for the government and limit opportunities for some businesses.

Are there any indications of the contractor's past performance or track record with the VA or other federal agencies?

The provided data does not include information on Alert Ambulance Service, Inc.'s past performance or track record with the VA or other federal agencies. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) and any history of contract disputes or issues. Without this data, it's difficult to gauge the reliability and quality of services the contractor has historically provided to the government.

What is the historical spending pattern for ambulance services at the Providence VAMC or within the VA system?

The provided data only details this specific contract award. To understand historical spending patterns, one would need to analyze multiple years of contract data for ambulance services at the Providence VAMC and potentially across the entire VA system. This would involve looking at the number of contracts awarded, their values, the duration of services, and the incumbent contractors. Such an analysis could reveal trends in pricing, competition levels, and the VA's reliance on specific service providers or contract types over time.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRAVEL, LODGING, RECRUITMENT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1290 WILSON RD, FALL RIVER, MA, 02720

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $579,837

Exercised Options: $579,837

Current Obligation: $579,837

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: VA24116D0070

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline