San Diego to Seek Competitive EMS Contract Bids

Contractors looking to supply city ambulance services will face a competitive bid process beginning in 2026.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in People

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a geometric emergency light against a dark background, evoking the gravity of public municipal procurement policy. — San Diego officials will initiate a competitive bidding process for the city's emergency medical services in 2026 following a consultant's feasibility study. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The city of San Diego plans to solicit competitive bids for its Emergency Medical Services system during the 2026 calendar year. The move to reorganize and improve ambulance services follows a comprehensive feasibility study completed by consulting firm AP Triton.

Why it matters

The procurement process has drawn scrutiny due to questions surrounding potential conflicts of interest involving former San Diego Fire Chief Colin Stowell, who currently holds a leadership role at bidder American Medical Response.

Consultants at AP Triton delivered a 135-page EMS optimization and feasibility study to ground the city's upcoming procurement strategy. The city has yet to seek official guidance from the FPPC regarding potential financial interest concerns.

The players

Colin Stowell

The former San Diego Fire Chief who retired in August 2024 and currently serves as Director of Fire Partnerships for American Medical Response.

American Medical Response

A national provider of emergency medical services that is expected to bid on the upcoming San Diego city contract.

AP Triton

A consulting firm specializing in public safety and emergency services procurement and optimization.

The details

San Diego aims to restructure its ambulance services through a formal request for proposals process. This procedure involves engaging specialized consultants to design bid requirements that the city will eventually evaluate against standardized operational criteria. Current controversy centers on California Government Code Section 1090, which prohibits public officials from maintaining financial interests in contracts they previously influenced in their official capacity.

June 2024: AP Triton completed an EMS feasibility study.
August 2024: Colin Stowell retired from his role as city fire chief.
September 2024: AP Triton was retained to finalize the city's bid framework.
2026 calendar year: The city plans to issue its request for proposals.

Market Landscape

The city's procurement strategy is unfolding under the potential constraints of California Government Code Section 1090, which governs how officials transition into roles with contractors. This follows a broader trend where municipalities must navigate strict conflict laws while utilizing specialized consultants to modernize emergency services.

Operators bidding on municipal contracts should closely monitor the city's internal compliance reviews regarding former staff roles. Legal counsel should be consulted to ensure any proposed contract structure satisfies state conflict-of-interest statutes.

The takeaway

The city's procurement process serves as a reminder for operators to document all transitions of former public officials into private roles. Business owners should track the city's public notice boards for the formal 2026 request for proposals to determine potential partnership opportunities.