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Public Health asks commissioners to approve OneHealthPort connection and $4.1M state contract amendment
Summary
Thurston County Public Health sought approval for a sole‑source subscription to a health information exchange and presented an amendment to its Washington State Department of Health consolidated contract that would add roughly $4.1 million to several public‑health programs through Dec. 31, 2027.
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services on Tuesday asked the Board of County Commissioners to approve two technology and funding items: a sole‑source purchase to connect the department’s electronic health record to the statewide immunization registry and an amendment to the county’s consolidated contract with the Washington State Department of Health that would add roughly $4.1 million in program funding.
Brian Hay, director of Public Health and Social Services, described a sole‑source participation agreement with OneHealthPort for an annual subscription fee of $11,100. Hay said the OneHealthPort Health Information Exchange will enable integration between the county’s AdvancedMD electronic medical record and the Washington Immunization Information System (WAIIS). The change is intended to reduce data‑entry duplication and improve immunization record accuracy.
Jennifer Fryheit, Public Health and Social Services director (presenting the consolidated contract item), asked the board to approve Amendment No. 9 to the department’s consolidated contract with the Washington State Department of Health. Fryheit said the amendment would increase the contract maximum by $4,102,328 to a revised total of $10,198,827 for the period Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027. The amendment adds statements of work for immunizations, perinatal hepatitis B, resiliency, and public health emergency preparedness and amends other program work plans, including epidemiology and maternal-child health grants.
Fryheit said a portion of the increase reflects additional federal ELC (Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity) funds that the state extended through December; she said the county may not fully expend those specific funds by the deadline and would return any unspent amounts to the state.
Commissioners asked how the amendment would affect current operations; Fryheit said the majority of changes are logistical (reporting and data classifications) and do not alter the county’s existing program obligations. No formal votes were taken in the work session; staff asked that both items be placed on the Sept. 16 consent agenda for formal action.
Staff indicated they would provide copies of the sole‑source documentation and the RFP/contract materials and would circulate any additional clarifications requested by commissioners prior to second review.
