SR-07-22-2014-3GCity Council Meeting: July 22, 2014
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Scott Ferguson, Fire Chief
Subject: Modification to Contract No. 9438 (CCS) to Provide Emergency
Ambulance and Billing Services
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a first modification to Contract No. 9438 (CCS) with Ameri -Care Ambulance, a
California -based company, to provide emergency ambulance and billing services. This
will result in a four year amended contract at no cost to the City, with one additional
one -year renewal option.
Executive Summary
On July 26, 2011 Council approved Contract No. 9438 (CCS) with Ameri -Care to
provide emergency ambulance and billing services for a three -year term beginning
August 4, 2011. The City currently uses Ameri -Care as its ambulance provider and
ambulance related billing services. This first modification to the agreement is to extend
their services for a one -year term with one additional one -year renewal option. Ameri-
Care's compensation is based on a share of the fee received from the patient rather
than a direct payment from the City. Anticipated revenue generated by fees collected
by Ameri -Care on behalf of the Santa Monica Fire Department have been included in
the FY2014 -15 Budget in the amount of $942,179.
Discussion
The City has utilized an emergency ambulance and billing service company since 2004
to provide billing services for the Fire Department for the expenses associated with
Emergency Medical Services provided by Fire Department paramedics in connection
with the response, assessment, treatment and/or transportation of members of the
public. Charges are assessed based on the Advanced Life Support Assessment Fee
adopted by Council on June 15 2004 and the Skilled Nursing Facility fee adopted on
June 25, 2013. The Advanced Life Support Assessment Fee is established by the Los
1
Angeles County Emergency Services Agency General Public Ambulance Rates; the fee
is currently $1445.00. The current Skilled Nursing Facility fee is currently $871.66.
The Fire Department's fleet includes six paramedic engine companies and other
support units, including four rescue ambulances which are mainly used for special
events. Contracted Ameri -Care emergency ambulances are used to transport patients
on behalf of the Fire Department. On -board Santa Monica Fire Department paramedics
provide patient treatment in the ambulance while en route to a medical facility.
Contractor Selection
In May 2011, the City published Notices Inviting Requests for Proposals for an
emergency ambulance and billing services. The bid was posted on the City's on -line
bidding site, and notices were advertised in the Santa Monica Daily Press in
accordance with City Charter and Municipal Code provisions In addition, the notice was
disseminated to 16 licensed ambulance companies in Los Angeles County. Five Los
Angeles County ambulance providers submitted proposals. Proposals were evaluated
on price, response capabilities, commitment to purchase property in Santa Monica to
locate an ambulance station, redundant dispatch and operation system, and an ability to
provide real -time vehicle location services. After a thorough review, the selection
committee recommended Ameri -Care as the best bidder based on the evaluation
criteria.
Ameri -Care has successfully provided ambulance services for the past three years, staff
recommends extending their term for an additional one -year of service with an
additional one -year renewal option.
2
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
There is no immediate budget or financial impact related to this staff report. Ameri-
Care's compensation is based on a share of the fee received from the patient rather
than a direct payment from the City. Anticipated Fire Department revenue generated by
fees collected by Ameri -Care on behalf of the department have been included in the
FY2014 -15 Budget in the amount of $942,179.
Prepared by: Terese Toomey, Principal Administrative Analyst
Approved:
,
Scott Fed u /son
Fire Chief
3
Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager
Reference:
Contract No. 9438
(CCS)