Single Source Procurement: JFK Ebola Screening and Quarantine Initiative

The Department of Health (DOH) received a single source Contract Reporter Exemption Request to contract with the Island Peer Review Organization (IPRO) as part of the Department's enhanced screening operations at the JFK airport. This approval is considered vital to maintaining public safety.

Ebola virus disease (EVD), previously known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever; is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with the Ebola virus. The largest outbreak to date is the ongoing 2014 West Africa outbreak primarily affecting the countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. While EVD has been identified in New York State (NYS), prevention is the focus of this effort. Confirmed or suspected cases of EVD present special requirements for disease surveillance, public communications, allocation of medical resources, and expansion of human services.

JFK International Airport is a major international airport located in New York City, and operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. It is important to recognize that JFK International has received nearly half of travelers from the three affected West African nations in the year prior to July 2014. New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, herein referred to as the "JFK EVD Ops Team," along with state and local partners, will conduct enhanced screening operations in accordance with the NYSDOH Commissioner's Order (#2) at the JFK International Airport in order to protect public health from the emerging EVD

With an urgent need to obtain services, the Department determined that there was not sufficient time to competitively procure services to fill this new and critical need. Instead, we look to a current vendor that could provide these services. Island Peer Review Organization (IPRO) currently has several contracts with the New York State Department of Health. In particular, C-021393 for Nursing Home Surveillance and Quality Assurance, C-026723 for Infection Control Reviews and C-024443 for Medicaid Utilization Review and Quality Improvement. Under contract C026723, IPRO staff stationed in regional NYSDOH offices have been conducting Ebola preparation and response activities including site visits to hospitals, training of hospital and local health department staff, and assisting with surveillance activities.

Procurement / Program Name	DOH Enhanced Screening Operations at the JFK Airport
Contractor Name(s)	Island Peer Review Organization (IPRO)
Contract Period	November 10, 2014 – May 9, 2015
Contract Number(s)	C030154