Title
Resolution to Approve a Professional Services Agreement for Advanced Life Support Ambulance Services with Huron Valley Ambulance, Inc. (RFP# 26-04) ($0.00)
Memorandum
Your approval is requested for a Professional Services Agreement with Huron Valley Ambulance, Inc. (HVA) for Advanced Life Support (ALS) Ambulance Services.
For municipalities that do not provide ambulance services exclusively through a fire department or municipal ambulance, it is standard practice to contract these services through a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) process. This approach is consistent with how the City of Ann Arbor contracts for other third-party services.
The City of Ann Arbor does not have a current contract with Huron Valley Ambulance (HVA). While Washtenaw County entered into an agreement with HVA in July 1983, that agreement has not been updated, and the City is not a party to that agreement.
The City has no current ability to direct ambulance operations within Ann Arbor. Over time, this has contributed to inefficiencies and, in some cases, duplicative deployment of ambulance resources. Additionally, because HVA is a non-governmental entity, it is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). As a result, the City has had limited access to operational data.
The Ann Arbor Fire Department (AAFD) operates one Basic Life Support (BLS) transport ambulance, with a second BLS ambulance staffed during peak demand periods or when non-overtime staffing permits. AAFD also operates five non-transport BLS fire apparatuses. In 2025, AAFD responded to 6,471 emergency medical incidents. All AAFD firefighters are licensed Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs).
Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances are staffed by paramedics and provide higher-level care, including advanced cardiac interventions and medication administration. Current Washtenaw / Livingston Medical Control Authority requirements mandate ALS availability on all 911 calls. Accordingly, the City must ensure access to an ALS ambulance provider.
RFP 26-04 was posted on January 2, 2026. On January 23, 2026, the pre-proposal meeting was held with fifteen people in attendance. Proposals were due on February 17, 2026. We received five proposals from the following: AmeriPro, AMR, HVA, Superior, and Universal. AMR was removed during the review due to lack of substance and detail in their proposal. AmeriPro was removed after the fees were reviewed due to their fees being a significant outlier to the other proposals. Interviews were conducted with HVA, Superior, and Universal. Following the interviews, a proposed deployment plan was sent to all three bidders as a “best and final” to either agree to the proposed plan or submit an alternate. All bidders were also requested to submit a fee schedule.
Based on the results of RFP 26-04, we are recommending a two-year contract with HVA for advanced life support transport starting January 1, 2027. HVA’s combination of deployment and fee structure was the determinate factor in their selection. The City of Ann Arbor is not paying HVA for this contract. HVA obtains all revenue via fee for service. This Professional Services Agreement will provide for dedicated ALS ambulances, more coordinated and efficient operations, and increased metric sharing.
HVA complies with the requirements of the City’s Non-Discrimination and Living Wage ordinances.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: There is no impact to the Fire Services budget as HVA will invoice patients directly. The City will not make HVA whole for unpaid invoices. The City will reimburse HVA $200 (2027) and $210 (2028) when an HVA paramedic provides advanced life support care in an AAFD ambulance. In these instances, the City will be able to invoice the insurance carrier at an advance life support rate to include this fee.
Staff
Prepared by: Chantel Jackson, Administrative Manager - Fire
Reviewed by: Mike Kennedy, Fire Chief
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Fire Services currently operates a Basic Life Support transport ambulance;
Whereas, Advanced Life Support ambulances are staffed by paramedics and mandated for all 911 calls by the Washtenaw / Livingston Medical Control Authority;
Whereas, The City does not have a current contract for Advanced Life Support Services, and lack of such a contract has resulted in inefficiencies and limited access to operational data;
Whereas, RFP 26-04 was issued for such services resulting in the recommendation of a two-year contract with Huron Valley Ambulance, Inc.; and
Whereas, There is no impact to the Fire Services budget for this contract as HVA will invoice patients directly;
RESOLVED, That City Council approves the Professional Services Agreement with Huron Valley Ambulance Inc. for Advance Life Support, in the amount of $0.00 (“Agreement”);
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to sign the Agreement after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator is authorized to take all appropriate actions to implement this resolution, including signing all necessary documents and sub-agreements, and termination of the Agreement on its terms as deemed necessary.