Title
Discuss and consider action approving a contract with Acadian Ambulance Services for EMS services in the City and extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) and authorizing the City Manager to execute same.
Summary
Following their annual strategic planning conference, Travis County ESD2 provided an updated formal request in July for funding of advanced life support (ALS) and ambulance transport services within the City of Pflugerville. The ESD also indicated that ESD2 would continue to provide ALS and ambulance services until the end of the calendar year, and that funding be available for the calendar year 2022, beginning January 1st.
The Fire & EMS Assessment (June 2021) addressed future options and recommendations for service for consideration. The five options included: maintain the status quo, engage a private ambulance provider, establish a city-owned third service EMS, engage Austin Travis County EMS or establish City-based fire and EMS department. Based on the correspondence received in July, the status quo would cost the City of Pflugerville over $2 million per year.
Travis County ESD17 was created in as a result of a creation petition and subsequent election in May 2021 applicable primarily to the Austin ETJ. Later, petitions to annex the city of Pflugerville and the Pflugerville ETJ were circulated and that election was held on November 2, 2021 in which all related measures by Pflugerville and Pflugerville ETJ voters rejected the annexation into Travis County ESD17.
In conjunction with the EMS Assessment conducted by AP Triton earlier this year, a Request for Information (RFI) was issued to five providers, 3 private and two public. This process, and the resultant information, was helpful to understand the landscape and the assessment recommendations.
In pursuit of option 2, the purpose of this item is to approve the selection of Acadian Ambulance Service of Texas, LLC and authorize the City Manager to enter into negotiations on a contract for services to the City and the City's exterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) with the obligation to be up and running on January 1, 2022. This allows staff to engage with other entities and Acadian in the steps necessary to integrate a private provider into the 911 infrastructure.
Although no formal procurement is required, a follow up Request for Proposals (RFP) was was issued to the same providers. Responses were received from Travis County ESD2, and three private providers, Acadian, Allegiance and AMR. The City and the City's ETJ would cost the City of Pflugerville $2.7 million per year. Austin Travis County EMS did not submit a response to the RFP. These entities provided presentations on September 30th for further consideration and insight into the various aspects of their proposals.
Acadian has reviewed the proposed EMS franchise ordinance and is in agreement with the terms.
The proposed contract continues to be in draft form at the time of the agenda publication and posting, but is anticipated to be finalized by the parties prior to the City Council meeting.
Prior City Council Action
On October 12, 2021, the City Council approved the selection of Acadian Ambulance Service and authorized the City Manager to enter into contract negotiations.
On October 26, 2021, the City Council discussed the item and moved that it be postponed to a future date.
On October 30, 2021, the City Council discussed the item and moved that it be postponed to a future date.
Deadline for City Council Action
Action has been requested for November 9, 2021
Funding Expected: Revenue __ Expenditure __ N/A _x_
Budgeted Item: Yes __ No _x_ N/A __
Amount: There is no cost to the city of Pflugerville directly attributed to this contract.
1295 Form Required? Yes _x_ No __
Legal Review Required: N/A __ Required _x_ Date Completed: 11/5/2021
Supporting documents attached:
Acadian Presentation
Acadian Response to the RFP
EMS Request for Proposals (RFP)
Service Area Map
Recommended Action
Approve the contract with Acadian Ambulance Services for EMS services in the City and extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) and authorize the City Manager to execute same.