Authorize the Chair to execute the third amendment to Agreement No. 14-25 with American Medical Response to extend the term of the Agreement through April 1, 2024 for the provision of emergency ambulance services, Advanced Life Support and Critical Care Transports in the Exclusive Operating Area of Yolo County. (No general fund impact) (Sullivan)

Authorize the Chair to execute the third amendment to Agreement No. 14-25 with American Medical Response to extend the term of the Agreement through April 1, 2024 for the provision of emergency ambulance services, Advanced Life Support and Critical Care Transports in the Exclusive Operating Area of Yolo County.

Pursuant to Division 2.5 of the California Health & Safety Code, the County has designated the Yolo County Public Health Department, now a part of the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) to be the Local Emergency Medical Services Agency (LEMSA) for the purpose of the administration of emergency medical services (EMS) within the County. Division 2.5 of the Health and Safety Code confers specific authorities and responsibilities upon a LEMSA, including but not limited to developing a local plan through which it may establish one or more exclusive operating areas (EOAs) and, through a competitive process approved by the State Emergency Medical Services Authority (State EMS Authority), contracting with one or more ambulance providers for the provision of ambulance services in the designated EOA or EOAs pursuant to the local plan.

Yolo County EMS Agency (YEMSA) has developed a local plan, approved by the State EMS Authority, for the establishment of a single EOA covering the entire County, and the selection of a single ambulance provider to provide specified ambulance services, including Emergency Ambulance Services with advanced life support (“ALS”), and critical care transport (“CCT”) for all areas within the EOA.

On February 25, 2014, the original contract (“Agreement 14-25”) with American Medical Response was approved by the Board awarding complete exclusivity of the emergency ambulance services, ALS, and CCT for a five (5) year period, with an optional (5) years extension. On February 26, 2019, the Board then approved an amendment authorizing a five (5) years extension of Agreement No. 14-25 through February 28, 2024. On June 8, 2021, the Board approved the second amendment to Agreement No. 14-25 authorizing a revision to Exhibit 1 – Ambulance Price Sheet.

On April 12, 2023, the County via General Services Department, Procurement Division (“GSD”) started the procurement process seeking a qualified and experienced provider through a Request for Proposals (“2023 RFP”) process for a new contract award to furnish these specified ambulance services, following the end of Agreement 14-25. Following the recommendation of a multi-disciplinary panel RFP Review Committee a notice of intent to award was issued to American Medical Response West (our current provider) on August 8, 2023. 

Now HHSA, in collaboration with YEMSA, requests a brief extension of Agreement 14-25 through April 1, 2024, to allow adequate time to complete negotiations with AMR West on a new contract award as a result of the 2023 RFP. HHSA believes this extension is in the best interest of the County to extend the Agreement 14-25 based on satisfactory service and to ensure continuity of specified ambulance services in the County while providing ample time for County staff to collaborate with partner agencies regarding the new contract for services.

Performance Measures included in this Agreement are as follows:
Performance Measures are not being changed with this amendment.

County Counsel has approved this Amendment as to form.
Yolo County Fire Chiefs
Yolo County Emergency Medical Care Committee (EMCC)
Woodland Memorial Hospital
Sutter Davis Hospital
American Medical Response

On July 1, 2013, the YEMSA started the procurement process through a Request for Proposals (“2013 RFP”) seeking a qualified and experienced provider to furnish emergency ambulance, ALS, and CCT.
 
On October 22, 2013, at its regular meeting, the Board issued the contract award via Agreement 14-25 to American Medical Response after determining this provider had submitted the proposal that attained the highest overall point score under the RFP scoring methodology and best serves the overall interests of the County.

On April 12, 2023, seeking a qualified and experienced provider to furnish these specified ambulance services following the end of this agreement, the County issued an RFP (2023 RFP). The solicitation was open for 86 days. On or about May 10, 2023, the County held a proposers’ conference.  On or about August 1st, 2023, Proposers were provided an opportunity to give an oral presentation to the County. On August 8, 2023 following the recommendation of a multi-disciplinary RFP Review Committee, the County issued a notice of intent to award to American Medical Response West.

Additional information regarding the Competitive Bid Process is provided below, including a summary of the solicitation evaluation criteria.

Evaluation Criteria Included in RFP

Performance
The Department confirms American Medical Response has performed satisfactorily on the current agreement.

No general funds are required by this action. This agreement has potential to generate revenue to cover costs to YEMSA for the administration, oversight, development of, and reinvestment in emergency medical services in the County.