Questions answered

Ground Ambulance services – Questions and Answers – W81K00-26-R-A051

14 October 2026

1. First Due ePCR System – PWS Sections 3.4 and 4.3
PWS Section 4.3 requires the contractor to furnish the First Due electronic Patient Care Record (ePCR) solution. However, we understand that the Army has separately pursued procurement of the First Due platform, including under Solicitation W81K0026RA052, as part of its efforts to standardize EMS documentation.
Under other Defense Health Agency healthcare staffing contracts, contractor-provided clinicians routinely utilize Government-furnished electronic medical record systems, including MHS GENESIS. These systems are maintained by the Government, while contractors remain responsible for ensuring their personnel are trained, properly credentialed, and compliant with all documentation requirements.
We believe a similar approach could benefit the Fort Polk ambulance requirement. Requiring each successive ambulance contractor to independently procure and maintain an ePCR solution could result in duplicative licensing, implementation expenses, additional transition costs, and unnecessary increases to the overall contract value.
Additionally, PWS Section 3.4 already establishes a framework for Government-furnished equipment and support services.
Question #1: Given the Army's existing investment in First Due, would the Government consider furnishing the required ePCR software, licensing, and system access through an existing Army procurement or licensing arrangement, rather than requiring the ambulance services contractor to independently purchase the system?
Can the Government also clarify whether First Due is currently licensed or available for use at Fort Polk, and whether the installation could obtain access through an existing Army agreement? We believe this approach would promote consistency in EMS documentation, simplify future contract transitions, and potentially reduce costs to the Government while preserving all cybersecurity, patient privacy, and clinical documentation requirements.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE #1:

1. The contractor shall utilize the existing Government-provided paper charting forms and physical archive systems upon contract transition, at no software licensing cost to the contractor.

Ground Ambulance services – Questions and Answers – W81K00-26-R-A051

14 October 2026

2. The contractor remains responsible for the accuracy, clinical completeness, physical security, and HIPAA-compliant handling of all paper PCRs.