South Davis Metro Fire is looking for a new ambulance provider to serve about 120,000 residents across five communities. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8.
The fire service area's Board of Commissioners published a formal request for proposals on Thursday, Oct. 1, seeking a contractor to run 911 emergency medical response and interfacility transport for Bountiful, Centerville, North Salt Lake, West Bountiful and Woods Cross.
The board plans to review and score proposals Tuesday, Oct. 13, through Oct. 15, with a contract award set for 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19.
What the contract requires
The winning provider must staff 24/7 Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances and hold all required state licenses. The RFP sets specific response-time benchmarks: paramedics must reach 90% of Priority 1 calls within 8 minutes and 59 seconds, and 90% of Priority 2 calls within 12 minutes and 59 seconds.
The provider must also run a quality assurance program that reviews high-stakes calls, including cardiac arrests, airway emergencies and major trauma. Monthly reports on response times, unit availability and system performance are required under state and national data standards.
Bidders must describe their staffing model, certification levels and experience running 911 or interfacility transport operations. They also need a brick-and-mortar staging facility. The RFP asks proposers to lay out the financial impact to participating cities, any subsidy they would need and how they plan to handle billing for uninsured patients.
The contract term will align with the state EMS licensure cycle, with periodic review and renewal under oversight from the five cities.
How to submit
Proposal packets are available at Station 81, 255 S. 100 W. in Bountiful, and for download at sdmetrofire.gov. Responses can be delivered to Station 81 or emailed to [email protected].
Chief Larsen presented the EMS licensure RFP to the board at its Sept. 21 meeting, according to the meeting agenda. The RFP does not state whether the district currently runs its own ambulance service or contracts with a third party, and the document does not explain what prompted the search.
Medical calls make up the bulk of South Davis Metro Fire's workload. In 2022, the most recent year with published data, the department responded to 7,669 calls. Seventy-seven percent were medical emergencies.
The board reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal. Residents with questions can call South Davis Metro Fire at (801) 677-2400.
