MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH BUREAU OF HEALTH CARE SAFETY AND QUALITY 67 Forest Street Marlborough MA, 01752

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

CENTRAL MEDICAL EMERGENCY DIRECTION (CMED) SYSTEM EVALUATION AND FUTURE STRATEGIC PLANNING

RFI#: 265135

Date: March 13, 2026

A. INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to seek input on the future of the role of the Central Medical Emergency Direction (CMED) system in the Commonwealth. DPH is seeking input from users of the CMED system including but not limited to, licensed Ambulance Services, Appropriate Health Care Facilities (as defined under 105 CMR 170.020) and operators of CMED centers so that it can consider this information in its efforts to evaluate the current and future structure, role, policies and funding mechanisms which comprise the CMED system. This input will help DPH with completion of statutory duties related to provision of a medical communications subsystem as required under MGL c. 111C.

2. PURPOSE OF THIS RFI

The purpose of this RFI is to seek information and perspective from the Massachusetts healthcare community utilizing the CMED system on a variety of topics to help guide and inform conversations about the future of EMS to hospital communication and coordination as part of the Massachusetts Emergency Medical Services Communications Plan. Interested parties who may respond to this RFI include but are not limited to certified EMS Personnel, licensed Ambulance Services, Appropriate Health Care Facilities, CMED operators, Regional EMS Councils, radio/communications technical experts, Massachusetts municipalities or municipal organizations, and the general public.

Respondents are encouraged to provide information and/or comments on topics of efficacy, structure, roles, relevance, funding, technical components, and financial components of the current CMED system. The following are some topics and questions to consider in response. Parties are invited to respond to any or all of below RFI questions in addition other CMED related topics not specifically listed.

· What current roles does the CMED system fulfill that you would classify as critical to effective communication and coordination between EMS and hospitals?

· Pre-arrival entry notifications for low, mid, and/or high acuity patients?

· Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) patient destination coordination or resource distribution?

· Online Medical Control?

· Other?

· Does the current CMED system meet the needs of your operating area? Are there details/examples you can provide highlighting where the current CMED system does or does not meet the needs of EMS to hospital coordination and communications?

· Is CMED routinely utilized for EMS to hospital radio communications? If not, what other communications methods are utilized for coordination between EMS and hospitals? In what situation(s) is the alternate communication method utilized? Does the alternate method effectively address all the areas you consider to be part of CMED’s role?

· Do you experience technical issues accessing the CMED system consistently? Were causes of these issues identified? Can you provide examples detailing how issues were or were not resolved?

· Should there be a statewide standard for when EMS/Hospitals use CMED, or should regional plans and differences be permitted? If a statewide standard was adopted, what should that standard include? If not a statewide standard, under what criteria should regional plans and differences be considered?

· Are the financial/fee aspects of the CMED system reasonable or prohibitive in maintaining the current levels of functionality within the CMED system? Are there alternative funding models that you would propose exploring?

· Are there other systems within or outside the Commonwealth you feel would be effective alternatives to the setup of the current CMED system?

· Is there an aspect or element to communication and coordination between EMS and hospitals that CMED does not currently facilitate that you feel is necessary?

· Additional considerations pertinent to this RFI that you wish to share.

B. RFI RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS

DPH requests that RFI responses be submitted by April 13, 2026, no later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Responses must be submitted via email to the following address:

oems@mass.gov Responses must be sent with the email subject line “CMED System RFI Response”.

Parties interested in responding to this RFI should prepare a typewritten response that includes the respondent’s name, organization (if applicable), address, telephone number, e-mail address, and affiliation or interest.

Responses, including any attachments thereto, should be clearly labeled and referenced by name in the RFI response. No part of the response can be returned. Receipt of RFI responses will not be acknowledged.

C. DISCLAIMER

This RFI is issued solely for the purpose of gathering information. Nothing in this RFI and no subsequent action taken during the review process shall be interpreted as DPH making a binding offer, contract or other commitment with any Respondent, or that DPH is making or may make any procurement in the future. Responding to this RFI is entirely voluntary and respondent shall bare all costs so associated.

D. RESPONSE REVIEW

RFI responses may be reviewed and evaluated by any person(s) at the discretion of DPH.

E. PUBLIC RECORDS NOTICE

This RFI and all responses are subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and M.G.L. c. 4,

s. 7, cl. 26. Materials submitted to DPH may be disclosed upon request unless exempt under applicable law. Respondents claiming that any portion of a submission is exempt from disclosure must clearly identify such portion and cite the specific statutory exemption. DPH will make the final determination regarding the applicability of any exemption.

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