Daniels County signs contractor certification to accept H5N1 reimbursement task order

Daniels County commissioners on Dec. 15 approved signing a contractor‑certification form and authorized staff to accept a pending H5N1 reimbursement task order that requires certification of compliance with provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act.

County public‑health staff described the award as a reimbursement program of up to $10,000 that could fund a mobile simulation exercise in the region or purchase small emergency items such as a vaccine cooler; the reimbursement model means the county must spend first and submit claims for reimbursement. Staff warned that any qualifying purchase or order must be placed or encumbered by Jan. 15 to meet the program’s timeline.

A commissioner made the motion to approve the contractor certification so the county would be eligible to receive the task order if the formal paperwork arrived that afternoon; the motion was seconded and carried. Commissioners discussed which checkbox to mark on the certification regarding covered telecommunications equipment and directed staff to clarify questions with the state contact before final submission.

Public‑health staff noted leftover or unused funds would be returned as required by the reimbursement rules and identified possible uses for the award, including a mobile simulation to rehearse EMS, fire and hospital coordination. The staff also said any unspent funds could be applied to smaller equipment needs identified by the health department.

The board agreed staff should sign and forward the contractor certification once the minor clarifications were resolved and the formal task order was received. The commission did not record a roll‑call vote by name; the motion carried on unanimous verbal assent.