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Health Service Board adopts vendor blackout during rates-and-benefits RFP
Summary
The Health Service System Board voted to institute a vendor blackout period covering communications between board members and potential HSS service providers while the 2016 rates-and-benefits RFP is active; Director Catherine Dodd described the policy and disclosure obligations.
The Health Service System Board voted to adopt a vendor blackout period designed to govern communications during the 2016 rates‑and‑benefits request for proposals process. Director Catherine Dodd told the Board the blackout restricts face‑to‑face talks, phone calls, email, text messages, letters, faxes and social media between Board members and potential service providers on HSS contracting matters, and requires written disclosure to the Director and the Board of any unrelated communications.
Board members raised a procedural clarification that the restriction applies to vendors as well as to board members. An unidentified board member moved to adopt the blackout period and the Board approved the motion by voice vote. President Scott said the policy is not new and urged members to follow it "in its spirit, but to the letter" during deliberations. The blackout was introduced during the Committee of the Whole rates discussion and is intended to protect the integrity of the selection process for vision services and other HSS contracts.
The action is administrative and procedural rather than a procurement award; the Board recorded the motion and vote but did not discuss any pending contract awards during the session. The policy language presented to the Board makes clear exceptions for disclosures about non‑HSS unrelated matters and requires members to report such contacts in writing to the Director and the Board.
