V--Biloxi Ambulance Service

NOTICE OF INTENT The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 16, proposes to enter into a contract on a basis of other than full and open competition for the Non-Emergent Ambulance Transport Services for the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System in Biloxi, Mississippi. No responses to this notice are requested. The Government intends to award a contract to Mobile Medic dba American Medical Response (AMR) as a sole-source, firm-fixed price, Indefinite-Delivery Contract, for a base period of October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018, with four twelve-month option periods under the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition, 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. The new requirement has an estimated value of $4.8 million. FAR13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items: This procurement is for Non-Emergent Ambulance Transport Services in accordance with FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items and specifically FAR 13.501 Special Documentation Requirements, where acquisitions conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures are exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6, but still require a justification using the format of FAR 6.303-2. Non-Emergent Ambulance Transport Services (to include wheelchair transport services) are needed to transport eligible Veteran beneficiaries of the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System. A contractor will be required to provide all vehicles, personnel, management, supplies, transportation, equipment, reports and anything else necessary to provide non-emergent ambulance transport services for a base period, October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018, with four twelve-month option periods. Specific services required to be performed by the contractor include Advanced Life Support (ALS) to include Monitor/Defibrillator and Oxygen, Basic Life Support to include Oxygen, the ability to perform Specialty Care Transport (i.e. patients with aortic balloon pump systems or post cardiac cauterizations). A contractor must also have at least three (3) vehicles dedicated to the VA s requirements and must be able to perform long distance transports (over 100 miles). Ambulance Service Licensing in the State of Mississippi falls under the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (BEMS) and they license ambulance services by location and issue permits for each vehicle operated at the location licensed. Harrison County MS has elected to adopt an Ordinance to obtain for its citizens the following advantages: (1) access to emergency medical services of superior quality, quantity, and economic stability; (2) economies of scale and cost containment; and (3) access to disaster response capabilities superior to those which would be otherwise be available. Harrison County MS has entered an agreement with AMR to provide advanced life support emergency medical services (911 Service) for the residents of Harrison County MS. Per the Harrison County Ordinance, AMR has exclusive 911 call responsibility for Advanced Life Support Emergency Medical Service in Harrison County. It is also clear that any company that wants to provide non-emergency ambulance services must also have (1) an Ambulance Service License and (2) an Ambulance Service permit. In addition, before any licensure or permitting is granted, a company must file an application for a Certificate of Necessity. Section 9: Ambulance Service License, Paragraph 9.01, of the Harrison County Ordinance states No entity may provide emergency or routine/nonemergency ambulance services originating with the County without (i) first obtaining an Ambulance Services License issued pursuant to this Section 9, or (ii) being sanctioned by the Operations Contractor. The contractor s care shall cover the full range of paramedic and non-emergent ambulance transport services provided in the local community. Performance shall continuously be compliant with the requirements contained herein, and meet or exceed the standards of the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) of Mississippi. The anticipated effective date for the contract is October 1, 2017. The proposed sole source contractor is the only contractor that market research shows can reasonably be expected to begin performance by the effective date and to perform for the life of the contract. The proposed vendor is the only vendor currently permitted under Harrison County laws to provide ambulance services in Harrison County. The North American Industry Classification system (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 621910 with a small business size standard of $15.0 million. No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent IS NOT a request for competitive quotations/proposals.