Single Source Procurement: Supporting STD Testing and Awareness among Young Gay Men and Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) of Color through Tailored Community-Based Approaches

Pursuant to New York State Finance Law § 163.10(b), The New York State Department of Health is presenting the following summary of relevant circumstances, and material and substantial reasons why a competitive procurement was not feasible.

The AIDS Institute is amending 8 competitively procured contracts to fund community-based approaches to promote STD awareness and testing among young gay men and young men who have sex with men (MSM), with particular emphasis on communities of color. Contractors will develop and implement a variety of community-based projects to increase STD awareness and access to available, age appropriate and culturally competent (race/ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation) services among the populations that they serve.

In New York State, the burden of STD infection has steadily increased with over 134,000 cases of Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis reported in 2015, the highest number ever recorded. Of particular concern is the resurgence of infectious syphilis. From 2011 to 2015, the rate increased by 100% among men who account for greater than 90 percent of infections. The majority of male cases (70 percent) are diagnosed among those who have sex with other men (MSM). Trends in gonorrhea infections have shown a reversal over the same five-year period with the rates among men now exceeding those among women in New York State. For all STDs, the burden of infections is predominantly among young men of color, with the highest rates seen among black, non-Hispanic men. Targeting STD prevention efforts to young MSM of color is essential to reduce STD rates and to prevent HIV transmission. A study conducted by the NYCDOHMH found that 1 in 15 MSM with either syphilis or gonorrhea infection became HIV infected within a year of STD diagnosis. Promoting biomedical and risk reduction interventions to MSM with STD infections is a necessary strategy in the Governor's plan to End the Epidemic.

The majority of the funds will be used for OTPS (other than personal services) including office and programmatic, staff travel and miscellaneous expenses, such as support for marketing/advertising related to the project; funds to support peer worker stipends; and training for community stakeholders/providers. The OTPS expenses are at rates similar to the costs already established on these contracts.

Procurement / Program Name Supporting STD Testing and Awareness among Young Gay Men and Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) of Color through Tailored Community-Based Approaches
Contractor Name(s) AIDS Community Resources, Inc., Trillium Health, Inc. (Finger Lakes), Hudson Valley Community Services, Inc., Long Island Crisis Center, Inc., In Our Own Voices, Inc., Pride Center of Western New York, Inc., Trillium Health, Inc. (Western NY), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Long Island, Inc.
Contract Period 3/1/2016 - 2/28/2021
Contract Number(s) C30962GG, C30963GG, C30964GG, C30965GG, C30969GG, C30972GG, C30973GG, C31044GG