Legislation Details

File #: 26-5542    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Financial Authorization Status: Passed
File created: 8/13/2026 In control: Commissioners Court
On agenda: 8/25/2026 Final action: 8/25/2026
Title: Request for approval of a Public Health or Safety Exemption from the competitive bid requirements with Merck & Co., Inc. d/b/a Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC; GlaxoSmithKline Holdings (Americas) Inc. d/b/a GlaxoSmithKline LLC; and Sanofi Vaccines US Inc. in the amount of $1,600,000 for various vaccines for the Refugee Health Screening Program for Public Health Services for the period of October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027 using grant funds provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Refugee Medical Assistance Program.
Attachments: 1. 26-5542 Public Health or Safety Exemption - Multiple Vendors
Primary Department: Purchasing
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Kimberly J. Williams, JD

Secondary Department: Public Health Services
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton

Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA

Type of Request: Financial Authorization

Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Merck & Co., Inc. d/b/a Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC; GlaxoSmithKline Holdings (Americas) Inc. d/b/a GlaxoSmithKline LLC; Sanofi Vaccines US Inc.

MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request

Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable):
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Choose an item.

Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval of a Public Health or Safety Exemption from the competitive bid requirements with Merck & Co., Inc. d/b/a Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC; GlaxoSmithKline Holdings (Americas) Inc. d/b/a GlaxoSmithKline LLC; and Sanofi Vaccines US Inc. in the amount of $1,600,000 for various vaccines for the Refugee Health Screening Program for Public Health Services for the period of October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027 using grant funds provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Refugee Medical Assistance Program.
end

Background and Discussion:
The Refugee Health Screening Program is required by the grant to provide various vaccines to incoming refugees which are purchased through the vendors listed above.

Expected Impact:
The Refugee Health Screening Program (RHSP) of Harris County Public Health (HCPH) provides vaccines along with various other services to incoming refugees as part of the grant requirement. The HCPH RHSP is the only refugee program in the Houston area providing such services to incoming refugees.

Alternative Options:
Due to the amount of health services needed by the refugee population, the limited...

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