DHW - Glucometers 10-16-2026.pdf

Request Form to Division of Purchasing (DOP)

Sole Source Authorization - SSA - New

If you have any questions please contact us at DOPHelpDesk@adm.idaho.gov

Form ID 23514

Generated after Receipt by DOP

Year

Requestor Information

Agency Name* Department of Health and Welfare

Agency Acronym*

DHW

Requestor Name* Steve Barclay

Phone* 208-334-5735

E-mail* steve.barclay@dhw.idaho.gov

Property Being Purchased:* Abbott hospital-grade glucometers, software, test strips, and EMR interface via HL7 for SHS.

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Type of Exemption Check all that apply

Type of Exemption*

A solicitation has been completed and my Agency wishes to award contracts to multiple vendors for the same or smilar property (Multiple Award Authorization)

My Agency wishes to administer or award a solicitation at a dollar amount above its normal Delegated Purchasing Authority (Limited/One-Time DPA)

The property required is available on one or more open contracts, but my Agency wishes to purchase from a different vendor. (Note: if total value is over $10,000, Agency must also check the box for exemption from competition if requesting to pruchase from a specific vendor). (Utilization of Open Contract).

A solicitation is being developed (by my Agency under its DPA or in conjunction with DOP) and my Agency wishes to limit responses to a specific manufacturer/brand name (I.e. no substitutions). (Note: this option assumes that multiple vendors can offer the identified brand name; otherwise, select the option for exemption from competition to request a Sole Source Authorization (Brand Name Only)

A solicitation has been completed and there is a need to negotiate with one or more vendors. (Authorization to Negotiate)

My Agency is seeking to purchase directly from an identified vendor without completing a solicitation OR wishes to perform a level of competition that is less formal than would typically be required. (Various exemptions-additional questions to follow) mailto:steve.barclay@dhw.idaho.gov

Additional Questions*

There is an immediate threat to public health, safety, or welfare (Emergency Purchase Authorization)

The required property can only be procured from a single supplier (sole manufacturer and distributor) (Sole Source Authorization)

There is an existing Policy Directive on the DOP website which requires authorization to be utilized (Utilization of Policy Directive)

It would be impractical, unreasonable, or disadvantageous to complete the required competitive process under the circumstances (One Time Exemption).

Sole Source Authorization

IDAPA 38.05.01.042.02 provides that sole source purchase shall be used only if a requirement is reasonably available from a single supplier.

Fiscal Year*

Type of Request*

New

Renew (Agency wishes to extend an existing sole source authorization)

Amend (Check this box to request a change to the goods/services, term or other conditions of the

SSA)

Both Renew and Amend

New

Name of Requested Vendor* Steve Barclay

Desired Term in Years*

Anticipated Total Cost (for full desired term):

$23,000.00

Do you anticipate the need for renewals?

Yes No

Property* Describe the property you are seeking

Abbott Hospital Grade Glucometers, Software to run those Glucometers, Glucose Test Strips and connection to a HL7 interface with State Hospital South’s Electronic Medical Records System.

Justification* Check all that apply

Sole source provider of a licensed or patented good or service

Sole manufacturer AND distributor

Sole provider of factory-authorized/warranty service

Sole provider of items that are compatible with existing equipment, systems, programs, etc.

Other

Business Need* Describe the Agency's business need for the requested property

State Hospital South's (SHS) 15-year Abbott glucometer, software, and EMR interface remain available only if SHS also purchases Abbott glucose test strips. Losing that access would disrupt glucose testing for 146 SHS patients, a serious patient-safety and operational risk.

https://adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/current/38/380501.pdf

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Description* Describe what makes the identified property unique. Why is it the only property that could meet your business need?

Background and History In 2011, State Hospital South (SHS) entered into an agreement with Abbott Diabetes Care to provide glucometers and related software throughout the hospital at the cost of the glucose test strips. At the time, this agreement fell within the applicable small-purchase threshold.

Initially, glucose test results were manually entered into the SHS Electronic Medical Record (EMR) by nursing staff.

Following the initial agreement, the arrangement continued under Policy Directive 17-01 – Test Kits and Testing Supplies (and Related Consumables). This directive applies to SHS because SHS's approved glucose testing method, and the specifications required to produce valid results, are set by federal regulation, and Abbott is the only supplier able to provide a compatible meter, test strips, and software that meet those specifications[JB1.1].

In 2014, as SHS implemented its HL7 laboratory interface with the EMR, it was discovered that the Abbott software, then supported through Siemens, could interface directly with the EMR and electronically transmit blood glucose results into the laboratory section of the patient's medical record. This capability eliminated the need for nursing staff to manually enter results and gave providers immediate, graphable glucose results within the patient's chart.

SHS therefore expanded its EMR implementation to include blood glucose results by purchasing an additional interface from the EMR provider. The Abbott system was then integrated with the EMR, allowing glucose results to transfer automatically and become part of the patient's permanent medical record.

Because the glucometers, software, interface, and associated support were included as part of the test-strip pricing, the Abbott agreement continued under Policy Directive 17-01.

Current Issue During the most recent renewal process, the Department determined that SHS would need to purchase glucose test strips through the state's McKesson contract rather than directly from Abbott. The significant issue is that the purchase of Abbott test strips is a requirement of the existing Abbott arrangement that provides SHS with the glucometers, software, EMR interface, and technical support.

The Department has worked with both McKesson and Abbott to identify an arrangement that would allow SHS to purchase the test strips while maintaining access to the Abbott equipment, software, interface, and support. As described in the Alternatives section below, McKesson has since indicated it will allow SHS to continue purchasing the test strips through Abbott under the current circumstances.

If SHS is unable to comply with the requirement to purchase the test strips from Abbott, the existing agreement could be terminated with 30 days' notice. This creates a significant patient-safety and operational concern.

Patient Safety and Operational Impact SHS cannot simply discontinue the current glucometer system or transition to an entirely different system within 30 days. Approximately 15 years of integration currently exists between the glucometers, software, EMR, nursing workflows, and hospital processes.

Replacing the current system would require SHS to:

• Identify and procure hospital-grade glucometers that meet all applicable clinical and regulatory requirements.

• Confirm that the required equipment is available and can be delivered within the necessary timeframe.

• Determine whether the replacement equipment can interface with the SHS EMR.

• Purchase or develop any required software and interfaces.

• Implement and validate the new equipment and technology.

• Develop new procedures and workflows.

• Train all employees who perform blood glucose testing on a new system.

• Validate the competency of every employee performing glucose testing.

• Document all required competencies in employee records.

• Ensure the new system is fully operational and reliable before discontinuing the existing system.

Even if SHS were to temporarily revert to paper documentation and eliminate the electronic interface, SHS would still require appropriate hospital-grade glucometers and testing supplies. The interface is not the only issue; SHS must have reliable, clinically appropriate equipment available to perform blood glucose testing.

Scope of Blood Glucose Testing at SHS This is not a small or isolated process that can be changed without significant operational and patient-safety consequences.

SHS currently operates a nursing home with 36 residents, the majority of whom have blood glucose management needs. In addition, the Patient Treatment Facility (PTF)[JB2.1] has 110 beds, with insulin-dependent patients located throughout the facility.

Blood glucose monitoring is therefore an essential component of daily patient care at SHS. Any interruption in the availability of appropriate glucometers or testing supplies could directly affect the ability of nursing staff and providers to safely monitor and manage patients' blood glucose levels and administer insulin when clinically indicated.

Conclusion SHS has a well-established blood glucose testing system that has been integrated into the hospital's clinical workflows and EMR for approximately 15 years. The system provides reliable glucose testing, automatic transmission of results into the patient's medical record, real-time access for providers, and significant efficiencies for nursing staff.

Terminating the current arrangement without a viable replacement would create a significant patient-safety risk. A 30-day transition period is not sufficient to procure, implement, validate, and operationalize a replacement hospital-grade glucometer system, particularly given the need for equipment procurement, EMR integration, staff training, competency validation, and documentation.

SHS therefore needs to maintain the Abbott agreement to have a viable solution that allows uninterrupted access to appropriate glucometers, test strips, software, EMR interfacing, and technical support.

Alternatives* Describe the research you conducted to identify other potential property/sources. What potential alternatives did you find and why will they not meet the Agency's business needs?

McKesson Contract Concerns The state has maintained a McKesson state contract for many years, and McKesson does carry Abbott glucose test strips as an item available for purchase under that contract. McKesson's contract does not, however, include the Abbott glucometers, connectivity software, or EMR interface that SHS's existing system depends on.

More importantly, purchasing test strips through McKesson alone does not address the complete operational requirement. The current Abbott arrangement provides SHS with the glucometers, software, EMR interface functionality, and technical support associated with the testing system. McKesson does not carry the Abbott glucometers, software, or EMR interface, so those components cannot be obtained through the McKesson contract regardless of how the test strips are purchased.

McKesson has since indicated that it is willing to allow SHS to continue purchasing the test strips directly through Abbott under the current circumstances, rather than through the McKesson contract, preserving compatibility with the existing Abbott system. This resolves the immediate compliance conflict; however, McKesson still cannot provide the Abbott glucometers, software, or EMR interface, so a sole source justification remains necessary for that equipment and software.

File Upload and Certification

Notes

File Upload

RE_ Immediate Action Required_ Abbott Contract Compliance.p.pdf 284.96KB

Maximum File Size 250 MB

Agency Certification*

By submitting this form, I certify that the information provided above is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge, supports the requirement for a sole source procurement, and is in the best interest of the State.

Signature* Date Submitted* 2026-09-09

Approval - SSA

Administrator Intends to approve*

Yes No

(Pending legal notice and appeal period)

Optional Posting?* This exemption will be sent for posting before final approval.

Yes No

Notes Public View

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File Upload

Maximum File Size 250 MB

DOP Signature*

DOP Printed Name* Mike Gwinn

DOP Title* Deputy Administrator

Date Time 2026-10-16