TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager to execute a contract with Hologic, Inc., of Bedford, MA, for the purchase of molecular diagnostic test kits, without advertising for bids, in an annual amount not to exceed $250,000, for a period of one year, with the option of renewing for two additional years, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter in an annual contract with Hologic, Inc. (Hologic), (formerly Gen-Probe Sales and Service, Inc.), to purchase molecular tests for Mycobacteria species and Chlamydia/GC identification. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services’ Public Health Laboratory performs approximately 18,500 Chlamydia tests, 15,000 Gonorrhea tests, and 200 DNA Mycobacteria tests each year. In addition to the Department’s Tuberculosis Clinic and STD-Family Planning Clinic, the laboratory also provides these tests to the following fee-for-service agencies: St. Mary’s Hospital, Community Hospital of Long Beach, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD), the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and the University of Southern California (USC). This partnership, with the different programs and agencies, makes up the public health laboratory system. With the Public Health Laboratory in the lead role, system participants play an interconnected role in facilitating the exchange of information that aids in the prevention and spread of infectious diseases and public health threats.
Hologic is the only company that has FDA approval on most of the specimen collection sites for testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Additionally, Hologic’s Aptima Combo2 Assay for CT/GC and Mycobacteria DNA Probe is proprietary to Hologic. Therefore, no useful purpose would be served by advertising for bids, and to do so would be deemed an unnecessary expenditure of public funds and st...
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