Medical Support Staffing for Disaster Shelters

Sarasota County is conducting a Request for Proposals (RFP #242595MN) to procure medical support staffing services for disaster shelters during declared emergencies. The county intends to award up to two contracts for a comprehensive 28-person medical support team capable of providing care for citizens with medical needs during emergency shelter operations. The team must be able to deploy as a complete unit for a minimum of 15 consecutive days, with each shelter targeting a capacity of 200 clients. Proposers must demonstrate experience in medical support staffing, with preference given to those with disaster event experience. The medical support team will be required to include a licensed medical provider and various medical professionals such as respiratory therapists, nurses, medical assistants, and support personnel. The proposal evaluation will be based on a scoring system, potentially including presentations from top-scoring proposers. The proposal is due by May 14, 2024, with the initial contract term anticipated to be three years. The procurement is specifically for FEMA grant-funded services, with the team required to work closely with shelter management and coordinate with the Sarasota County Human Services Branch while adhering to FEMA, American Red Cross, and State of Florida standards.

The contract includes specific provisions for small and minority business participation, with requirements for proposers to maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including workers' compensation, commercial general liability, and professional liability insurance. There are notable restrictions on contractors, including prohibitions on using federal funds to procure certain telecommunications equipment and mandatory preferences for US-produced goods. The contract includes specific compliance requirements related to federal regulations, such as the Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment and Americans with Disabilities Act. Proposers must also comply with Florida state provisions, including restrictions on contracting with entities from foreign countries of concern, effective January 1, 2024. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the contract is funded through FEMA grant resources, with Disaster Related Contract Provisions governing the financial aspects of the procurement. The county will likely select the vendor that provides the best overall value, taking into account technical capabilities, experience, and cost-effectiveness of the proposed medical support staffing solution.