Federal, State, Local?????
Could you be more specific? Most EMS agencies operate under a government contract of some sort or another, i.e. city, municipality, or 3rd government.........................
Seshan,
I assume you are still pursuing your marketing of equipment. Asking a vague question like.. 'have we heard of government contracts' will not give you the information you need.
Of course I've heard of government contracts. I've had to fill them as a supplier, and had to have them filled as a government agency.
Its not like there is one place where all those government type contracts are posted and all you need to do is go there and toss your name into the pot.
You know what.. I just deleted a long post that would educate you on what is involved with government contracts and the selection of suppliers for a governmental entity pool. I deleted it because I don't feel its my responsiblity to educate you for the job you are probably being paid to perform. If you don't have this information, or the wherewithal to figure it out on your own, then you should probably step aside and give your job to someone with those skills.
Not to be rude, but I hope you are able to give better information than you have here. Government contract on what ... supplies, coverage, employees, consulting? There are only about a million variables here... You want assistance then be more specific..
R/r 911
If you were awarded a government contract it usually is written specifically with the understanding or terminology what is required, where and what is demanded. Usually, there is very little for openness for a reason.
Again, not attempting to be rude but it appears that you are not very aware of the EMS as a business itself. If you are a manufacture for EMS vehicles, most of the EMS units are spec' out as where and the need is. For example most are not "blanketed" contracts. A EMS unit in the Rockies is much differently spec'd out than those for say in the desert. A four wheel drive and the one that requires a heavy duty air conditioning unit. As well, I know of some Indian Health Services (IHS) that make long distance transfers that require larger fuel tanks, dual oxygen storage units, and specific conditions. Again, the point of the specifications.
Now, without being too personal; what type of contract i.e units, specific equipment (such as suction, monitor(s), radio's, etc... ?
R/r 911
I totally agree. I think the cheapest tender is what gets the contract.
Depends totally on the contract, the item and the agency. Some government bids have language in them to toss the lowest and highest bidder and to choose from the ones clustered together in the middle. The thinking behind this is that the high bidder is gouging you, the low bidder forgot something and the guys in the middle are the most accurate.
There is also something called 'sole source procurement' where the agency can award the contract without bidding it out because the one they feel will suit their needs comes from a particular supplier.
Many agencies belong to buying groups. These groups negotiate as a group for prices and then throughout the term of the agreement, anywhere from a year to several years, all members of the group must purchase a certain percentage of their supplies on the contract. This is referred to as a 'Government Entity Supply Pool' or a Purchasing Group among other names. Amerinet is a group purchasing entity used by a lot of hospitals. It removes the hassle of sending every little thing out to bid which can be a very costly process.
Different agencies also have different limits on what may and what must be sent out for bid. The ceiling keeps raising with the prices. So an agency that is purchasing a fleet of 5 more ambulances may have to follow different rules than a small district purchasing a defib unit.
OP, can you please help some of us understand why you are seemingly trying to pry tidbits of information out of us? Your posts are raising some flags, and maybe people will be willing to help you if you explain in detail what your looking for and why.
Bossy,
Adda boy! thanks for the information!
I'm a girl and I still think that if you are being paid to do this, you should already have known this information. It's pretty standard stuff.