Exemption - Sex Worker Health Pilot Program

The New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute plans to extend existing contracts with EHS, Inc. and the Community Health Project (Callen-Lorde) to sustain a pilot program that offers comprehensive healthcare services—including primary, sexual, behavioral, and dental care—to sex workers in New York City and Western New York. The continuation of this program is necessary as a competitive procurement process is not feasible at this time, primarily due to the need for additional evaluation of the program's effectiveness. The contract is set to run from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028, with the current extension ending on September 15, 2025. The program operates within Erie County and New York City, targeting populations that may have limited access to healthcare services. This exemption from competitive bidding is justified because the contracts are awarded to a single source, specifically EHS, Inc. and Callen-Lorde, which are the designated recipients for this pilot initiative. The contract value ranges from $500,000 to $2 million, reflecting the scope and importance of the services provided. The NYS Department of Health’s designated contact for inquiries is Ilene Kane, the Health Program Administrator I, who can be reached via email. This initiative underscores the state's commitment to addressing healthcare disparities among sex workers and ensuring targeted health interventions through specialized programs.