Access Health CT board authorizes up to $9 million for ‘10 Clicks’ IT modernization, with milestones and contract protections

The Access Health CT board on a recorded roll-call vote approved a contingent multiyear budget authorization not to exceed $9,000,000 for the agency’s “10 Clicks” integrated eligibility modernization project covering fiscal years 2026–2028.

Chair Charles Klippel read a motion that linked the funding to “establishment of appropriate metrics and milestones for the project, incorporation of adequate protections for the Exchange in any vendor agreement related to satisfactory achievement of those milestones and metrics, and regular reporting to the board against the project milestones and metrics as well as budget updates.” The motion was moved and seconded and then approved by the board.

Board members pressed management for documentary evidence of the procurement process before award. Director Claudia (Claudio) said the procurement raised precedent-setting questions and asked staff to explain why the Exchange should waive usual controls; another director, Matthew Brockman, said he wanted the board to “see the work” — not just be told it was done — before a contract is awarded.

CEO James Michelle and staff responded that the procurement followed the board-approved policy and that procurement materials and an executive summary of the evaluation would be provided to the full board promptly. “We followed our procurement policy to a tee,” said Susan Richby, who also told directors that scoring criteria and evaluator processes were determined before evaluations began.

Several directors sought stronger contractual language linking payments to milestone achievement. Diedrich Gifford urged that the board’s approval be contingent on “satisfactory progress against the metrics,” and Susan Richby and management said the Exchange’s contracts already include penalties for missed milestones that allow the Exchange to deduct payments or otherwise hold vendors accountable.

Board members and staff agreed the authorization was for the funding concept and that management would continue the formal RFP process and present the procurement documentation and milestone definitions to the board prior to awarding any contract. The board also asked for clarity about which procurement documents would remain privileged.

The authorization will allow staff to budget and plan a three-year rollout while reserving final vendor selection and contract award for the conclusion of the procurement and the board’s review of the documentation and milestone framework.