SURE CHECK HIV ½ Assay

The Florida Department of Health (FDOH), Bureau of Communicable Disease, HIV/AIDS Section is conducting a single-source procurement for Chembio SURE CHECK HIV 1/2 Assay test kits, which are FDA-approved immunochromatographic tests designed for detecting antibodies to Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 and Type 2. The procurement specifically targets HIV testing in at-risk communities, with a unique focus on utilizing a testing method that requires only 2.5 microliters of finger-stick whole blood, which reduces patient anxiety and resistance to testing. The contract opportunity is located in Leon County and was posted on March 21, 2025, with proposals due by April 11, 2025. The procurement aims to enable non-traditional rapid point-of-care diagnostic testing by providing a minimally invasive testing solution. Key objectives include expanding HIV testing accessibility and encouraging more individuals to undergo screening by mitigating common testing barriers related to needle and blood aversion.

The procurement appears to be a sole-source contract specifically targeting Chembio Diagnostics Systems, Inc. as the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of the specified test kits. The total estimated contract value is $3,000,000.00 for a three-year term, with the procurement authorized under Chapter 60A-1.045 of the Florida Administrative Code. While no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types are explicitly mentioned, the contract is structured as a direct purchase from the manufacturer. The procurement is geographically focused on Leon County but appears to have statewide implications for HIV testing strategies. The testing kits will be used by FDOH to support HIV testing initiatives in diverse, at-risk community settings, with an emphasis on providing a more accessible and less intimidating diagnostic approach.