University of Arkansas delays RFP process for sports medicine provider due to COVID-19

The University of Arkansas said April 6 it was postponing the request for proposal (RFP) process to award a new seven-year contract for the athletic department’s orthopedic and sports medicine services.

The reason? COVID-19.

“With the ongoing commitment of the medical entities related to the pandemic and some limitations related to completing the process (i.e. on-site visits etc.), the process has been postponed until the fall,” UA spokesman Kevin Trainor said in a statement to the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal.

The UA issued the RFP in January, with a due date of Feb. 14 to submit a bid. The university received two responses, one from the current contract holder. Advanced Orthopaedic Specialists (AOS) of Fayetteville has provided medical care for Razorback athletes since 2009.

Trainor said the current agreement with AOS has been extended through December 2020. The contract for services previously ran through June 30, 2020.  The identity of the second bidder was not disclosed.

The UA has roughly 460 athletes in 19 intercollegiate sports. The total of all athletic department payments for medical bills from dozens of providers was $1.12 million in 2018 and $910,263 in 2017. Through the first 10 months of 2019, the department billed $1.3 million.