Health Commission authorizes secretary to sign limited sole‑source waivers to speed community contracts

The Health Commission voted May 17 to allow the Health Commission secretary to sign individual sole‑source waiver forms in limited circumstances to accelerate contracting for community‑based organizations.

DPH contracting director Michelle Ruggles explained the department is moving eligible community‑based professional services from the professional‑services pathway to grant agreements (G100 template) to remove several administrative steps — such as subcontracting percentage requirements and additional purchasing approvals — that add weeks to the certification process. Ruggles said the change primarily affects nonprofit community‑based providers that deliver services benefiting the community, not departmental IT or HR contracts.

Under the new process, DPH will present an annual list of preapproved sole‑source arrangements and submit each individual waiver form into the city’s contracting system. Because timing sometimes does not align with scheduled Commission meetings, Ruggles asked the Commission to designate the secretary to sign the waiver form so funding notifications and contract initiation would not be delayed. The change does not alter transparency: contracts eligible under the waiver will still be brought to the Commission for approval per existing thresholds and the department will report waivers annually to the Board of Supervisors.

Commissioner Chow moved to authorize the designation and a commissioner seconded. The Commission approved the motion by roll call vote with unanimous support.

Commissioners and staff said the change is intended to speed payments to local nonprofit providers that have existing relationships with the department and to reduce administrative lag when grant money or emergency needs arise.