0966 / medical direction contract for lifeguards

The State of California, through the Department of Parks and Recreation, is soliciting bids for a Medical Direction Contract for Lifeguards (RFB-IS-26200809-1) to establish physician-directed medical oversight for lifeguard operations across state beaches and aquatic facilities. The procurement seeks qualified medical professionals, specifically physicians with experience in emergency medicine, aquatic safety, or lifeguard operations, to provide comprehensive medical direction services. Key deliverables and objectives include developing and maintaining medical policies and procedures specific to aquatic rescue and water-related medical emergencies, providing 24/7 availability of medical direction support, delivering medical training and certification support to lifeguard personnel, coordinating with local emergency medical services, and ensuring documentation of all medical incidents with quarterly reporting on medical outcomes and training completion rates. Bidders must demonstrate relevant qualifications including appropriate physician credentials, medical liability coverage, and compliance with California state licensing and regulatory standards for medical professionals. The bid packet was posted on April 8, 2026, with proposals due on April 23, 2026. Evaluation criteria include vendor qualifications, medical expertise, proposed protocols and procedures, service availability, training capabilities, and cost competitiveness relative to the scope of services offered.

This procurement may include set-asides for small businesses and disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) in accordance with California's contracting requirements, with eligible bidders required to submit a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) form to demonstrate their certification status and eligibility for applicable preferences. Prospective vendors must complete all mandatory forms outlined in the required purchasing forms appendix and submit documentation establishing contractor eligibility, insurance requirements, and acknowledgment of contract terms and conditions. The contract structure allows for pricing proposals on a per-facility, hourly, or annual basis as specified in the bid documents. While specific incumbent vendor information and exact contract award values or budget ranges are not explicitly detailed in the available solicitation summaries, funding derives from the Department of Parks and Recreation's operational budget and user fees associated with state beach and aquatic facility operations. The contract term and renewal options are detailed within the bid specifications, and all proposals must be submitted according to the specifications outlined in the primary solicitation documents by the April 23, 2026 deadline.