HIV Tests

The State of Utah's Division of Purchasing and Utah Department of Health are seeking bids for Alere Determine HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab Combo HIV Testing Kits through solicitation KM20035. This procurement is specifically targeting HIV testing kits essential for community health initiatives, with a focus on the Alere Determine HIV tests, which are the sole approved testing method for the department's contractors and partners. The solicitation requires bidders to demonstrate direct purchasing capability for these specific test kits and comply with standard procurement requirements. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and is structured for a five-year term. Key deliverables include two primary line items: 25-test HIV test kits and an external controls kit set. The bid was released on 10/18/2019, with responses due by 10/29/2019 at 2:00 PM Mountain Time through the SciQuest electronic procurement platform. Bidders must upload required documentation and complete comprehensive vendor information submissions. The state's objective is to support its annual HIV prevention efforts, which currently involve approximately 120 new HIV diagnoses.

The solicitation does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Bidders must maintain applicable licenses and avoid conflicts of interest to be considered eligible. While the document does not detail a specific budget range, the procurement is designed to support ongoing community HIV testing programs that have been using Alere Determine HIV tests since 2015. The requirement for direct purchasing of specific test kits may limit the pool of potential vendors to those with established relationships with the test kit manufacturer. No incumbent vendors are explicitly named in the documentation. The procurement process emphasizes transparency and competitive bidding to ensure the state can effectively procure the necessary HIV testing resources. The five-year contract term suggests a significant commitment to maintaining consistent HIV testing capabilities across Utah's healthcare network.