BASIC LIFE SUPPORT (BLS) EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICES

The City of East Orange, through its Department of Health & Human Services, Division of Procurement, is soliciting proposals for Basic Life Support (BLS) Emergency Ambulance Services. This competitive contracting process, governed by N.J.S.A. 40A:11-4.1(k), et seq., seeks a qualified vendor to provide comprehensive 24/7/365 BLS services to the city's approximately 64,270 residents, covering an estimated 16,500 EMS calls per year. The scope of work includes deploying three (3) BLS units, each staffed by two (2) certified EMTs, permanently stationed within East Orange, with a mandated average response time of eight (8) minutes or less for 90% of Priority One Calls. Services encompass a wide range of emergency medical situations such as cardiac, respiratory distress, trauma, mental health crises, and specialized event coverage for City-sponsored community gatherings, along with collaboration on disaster planning. The selected vendor will be responsible for direct patient billing and must arrange for Advanced Life Support (ALS) services through cooperation with an ALS provider. Prospective contractors must possess at least five years of medical transportation service business experience and a minimum of two years of emergency medical service experience specifically providing primary EMS to a municipality. Essential licenses and certifications include those from the New Jersey Department of Health for ambulances and EMTs, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for communication equipment, and a New Jersey Business Registration Certificate. All EMTs must hold current New Jersey Department of Health EMT-basic, CPR, and Defibrillator certifications, in addition to a valid New Jersey driver's license. Compliance with New Jersey's Affirmative Action (N.J.S.A. 10:5-33 et seq.) and Equal Employment Opportunities in Public Contract (N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq.) regulations is mandatory. A highly recommended, but non-mandatory, Pre-Proposal Conference was held on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at 11:00 A.M. at the Municipal Council Chamber, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, New Jersey. Proposals require the submission of one (1) original, three (3) hard copies, and one (1) electronic copy, sealed in an envelope clearly marked "BASIC LIFE SUPPORT (BLS) EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICES" and addressed to the Purchasing Agent. Submissions were due by hand-delivery or mail no later than Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at 11:00 A.M., with no facsimile or e-mail submissions accepted. A Bid Bond with Consent of Surety was required with the proposal. The successful contractor will be obligated to furnish a Performance Bond in the amount of $250,000 within ten (10) days of contract award, ensuring faithful performance. All official communications and proposals are to be directed to Lisa L. Jackson, Q.P.A., Purchasing Agent, Division of Procurement, City of East Orange, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, New Jersey 07018, with phone inquiries accepted at (973) 266-5162.