The Department of Public Health is requesting current and future grant acceptance and sole source contracting authority for United States Department of Agriculture funding under the New World Screwworm Grand Challenge Program. This indicates the County is engaging in a specialized, federally funded initiative targeting New World screwworm, likely involving surveillance, response, or research activities across all supervisorial districts. Securing this authority means Public Health will be able to accept multiple USDA awards and enter into sole source contracts for program needs without returning to the Board each time. This opens a pipeline for scientific, laboratory, field operations, and public health consulting work funded by the grant. Vendors specializing in vector management, lab testing, scientific equipment, field data systems, and program evaluation can position themselves as technical partners to support Public Health in delivering on the Grand Challenge program requirements.

Includes both grant acceptance and sole source contracting authority, streamlining future procuremen...