Basic Life Support (BLS) Transportation Services

The County of Merced, on behalf of the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Department (BHRS), is soliciting bids for Basic Life Support (BLS) transportation services to be used on an as-needed basis. The scope of work involves providing safe and reliable BLS transport for eligible BHRS consumers, including transfers from Crisis Stabilization Units, hospitals, or other acute-care settings to Psychiatric Health Facilities or other authorized behavioral health facilities. The contractor is responsible for providing BLS-equipped vehicles, maintaining qualified personnel, and providing clinical monitoring for consumers who received emergency medication prior to departure. Compliance with California BLS ambulance operations, local EMS agency policies, and payer requirements such as Medi-Cal and Medicare is mandatory. Award decisions will be based on the bidder who is most qualified, responsive, and advantageous to the County, rather than solely on the lowest cost. Submissions must be electronic and follow a strict format, including a signature page signed in blue ink and any required bonds. Payment is structured via monthly itemized invoices or fixed-fee invoices, with a 30-day payment term upon approval. Compensation is contingent upon the continued appropriation of local, state, or federal funding. The contractor must adhere to strict regulatory standards, including HIPAA, HITECH, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and OSHA safety standards.