A. The State Commissioner of Health shall develop grant programs for private, nonprofit and public entities for the purpose of administering the National Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP). For purposes of this section, the “National Hospital Preparedness Program” or “HPP” means the federal preparedness grant offered through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services designed to improve surge capacity and enhance community and hospital preparedness for public health emergencies.
B. The selection and awarding of grants, whether in the form of professional service contracts or any other funding mechanism developed by the Commissioner, to programs developed pursuant to this section shall be exempt from the requirements of The Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act.
C. The Commissioner shall develop a process for awarding grants to programs developed pursuant to this section. Such process for selection shall not be required for contracts awarded for program support services, including, but not limited to, professional service contracts to evaluate, audit or provide budgeting, accounting, auditing or legal services for specific programs or program grantees, contractors or participants.
Added by Laws 2009, c. 141, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2009.