Rapid Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Protocol

The contract seeks the development and implementation of evidence-based Rapid Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) protocols to be integrated into emergency department workflows in California, with the goal of initiating HIV treatment within seven calendar days of diagnosis, disclosure, or reengagement in care. The awarded contractor must design a comprehensive protocol that includes staff training requirements, clear roles and responsibilities, partnerships with HIV care providers, strategies to ensure affordable medication access regardless of insurance status, and a detailed workflow diagram from positive test to medication initiation. The protocol must address anticipated barriers, identify newly diagnosed and previously lost-to-care patients, and include patient counseling on adherence, side effects, treatment benefits, and scheduling of follow-up appointments within one to two weeks. All protocols must align with Health Care Agency (HCA)-approved standards, minimize clinical handoffs, and treat ART initiation as a standard component of emergency care rather than an optional add-on. The contractor is required to deliver four key phases: a draft protocol within 90 days of contract execution (by September 30, 2026), an implementation plan detailing integration into existing workflows (by October 31, 2026), an evaluation plan to monitor outcomes and lessons learned (by January 31, 2027), and a final approved protocol incorporating HCA feedback (by February 26, 2027). Payments are structured per deliverable on a negotiated amount basis, with full financial records to be maintained for ten years and all overpayments returned within 45 business days. The contractor must be registered in SAM.gov with an active UEI and D-U-N-S number, hold a valid California Secretary of State and Department of Justice registration, comply with the Levine Act, and certify no conflicts of interest. All personnel must complete specialized provider training within 30 days of hire and annually thereafter, and the contractor must adhere to federal and state nondiscrimination laws including Title VI, Title IX, the ADA, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, while maintaining $1 million in employer liability insurance. The contract is funded through HRSA Ending the HIV Epidemic funds and may be renewed contingent on funding, performance, and need. Applications must be submitted electronically in PDF format through the OpenGov portal by July 7, 2026, and failures to meet essential requirements—including completeness, responsiveness, or eligibility—will result in rejection.