Emergency Medical Services Information System (NEMSIS) Technical Assistance Center (TAC)
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Office of Acquisition, has issued a Special Notice announcing its intent to award a sole-source bridge contract to the University of Utah for the continued operation of the Emergency Medical Services Information System (NEMSIS) Technical Assistance Center (TAC). This one-year contract, valued at $8,000,000.00, ensures uninterrupted critical EMS data infrastructure and technical assistance while NHTSA prepares for a future full and open competition.
Scope of Work
The NEMSIS TAC is crucial for maintaining the national standard for documenting out-of-hospital care and the technical infrastructure for collecting and analyzing EMS data. Key responsibilities include:
- Operating and improving NEMSIS, the National EMS Database (NEMSD), and the TAC.
- Maintaining a secure, high-availability data infrastructure compliant with federal IT and cybersecurity standards (FISMA Moderate AWS environment, PIV credentials).
- Advancing national EMS data standards, including a forthcoming migration from XML to Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR).
- Providing technical assistance to States, Territories, Tribal Nations, and EMS software vendors.
- Conducting software compliance testing, data quality monitoring, and system interoperability support.
- Managing data use agreements (DUAs) and providing public data reporting, dashboards, and analytical tools.
- Supporting real-time data services and cross-sector interoperability with systems like MMUCC, FARS, and HIEs.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sole-Source Bridge Contract (Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition under FAR 6.302-1)
- Incumbent: University of Utah
- Duration: 12 months (April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027)
- Estimated Value: $8,000,000.00 for the bridge contract; the overall program's annual cost is expected to reach $10,000,000.00.
- Notice Published: March 17, 2026
- Response Date: March 31, 2026 (for comments/objections to the sole-source justification)
Evaluation
This is a notice of intent to award a sole-source contract, not a solicitation for proposals. The University of Utah is identified as the only responsible source capable of performing uninterrupted operations due to its unique knowledge, existing infrastructure, and the significant risks associated with transitioning to a new vendor, including potential data integrity loss and system downtime.