TITLE:
title
ONE YEAR EXTENSION OF THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH WITTMAN ENTERPRISES, LLC FOR AMBULANCE BILLING AND COST RECOVERY SERVICES RFP 18-03
end
DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT
PRESENTED BY: DANIEL A. STEFANO, FIRE CHIEF JASON PYLE, ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF
CONTACT INFORMATION: JASON PYLE, ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF, (714) 754-5155
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Approve Amendment Number One to extend the term of the Professional Services Agreement for Ambulance Billing and Cost Recovery Services between Wittman Enterprises, LLC and the City of Costa Mesa for one additional year expiring on July 31, 2024, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $240,000. (Attachment 1).
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Amendment
end
BACKGROUND:
On August 7, 2018 City Council approved the Professional Services Agreement for Ambulance Billing and Cost Recovery Services between Wittman Enterprises, LLC and the City of Costa Mesa. (Attachment 2).
ANALYSIS:
From the commencement of the current agreement until the present time, Wittman has met and fulfilled all contractual obligations and requirements. Based on its performance over the past five years, Wittman has maintained a well-managed organization staffed by professional personnel who are extremely knowledgeable and competent in the field of cost recovery. Extending the Agreement to July 31, 2024 will allow for emergency ambulance billing services to continue. Section 4.2 of the Agreement allows the City to terminate the Agreement at any time with written notice to Wittman if it is later determined that services will not be needed for the entire time period of the extension.
1. Cost - Wittman is the best price option. Wittman continues to provide the cost option for either “Price Per Call” or “Percent of Net”. Based on our current and future call volume and collection rates, the option to go with the better of the two formulas is “Price Per Call,” and it is advantageous for the City.
2. Interagency Operations - Wittman is the current Ambulance Billing Service Provider for the City of Newport Beach Fire Department and the City of Huntington Beach Fire Department. The majority of our mutual aid requests are from the Cities of Newport Beach and Huntington Beach. As all three Fire Departments are operating their own Ambulance Service there is greater efficiency in having the same billing agent process all mutual aid ambulance billing requests.
ALTERNATIVES:
Due to Wittman’s services have satisfied and exceeded the obligations, requirements, and expectations of the original Agreement, no other alternatives were considered.
FISCAL REVIEW:
The funding for this contract is included in the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Fire and Rescue operating budget.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney’s office has reviewed this report and the Amendment and approves them as to form.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES:
This item supports the following City Council Goal:
• Strengthen the Public’s Safety and Improve the Quality of Life.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve Amendment Number One to the Professional Services Agreement for Ambulance Billing and Cost Recovery Services between Wittman Enterprises, LLC and the City of Costa Mesa for one additional year expiring on July 31, 2024, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $240,000; and authorize the City Manager to execute the Amendment.