Announcement of an Exempt Purchase

The Hospital and clinics use Language Line Service for in-person and video language translation. Without the video or translation services, the hospital would not be able to provide the proper level of care to our patients. Language Line provides equipment free of charge. The equipment is a mobile unit that consists of a computer with a built-in camera system integrated/paired into the hospital's WiFi system. Currently, there are 69 mobile units throughout the Hospital and clinics. The mobility and touch-less patient care is advantageous during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients can be examined and speak in their native language with their doctors remotely.

This purchase is exempt from the usual selection processes of the Procurement Code because the procurement expenditure is for medical supplies or medical services necessary for the delivery of care and treatment at medical, dental, or veterinary teaching facilities utilized by SIU or U of I (30 ILCS 500 / 1-13(b-5)) Language Line Services has to do with direct patient care. Without access to these interpretation services, the Hospital would not be able to offer treatment and care to a certain part of the population that would drive patients elsewhere and result in a loss of revenue to the Hospital. Providing language services to patients and families is required by the Title 6 of the Civil Rights Act 0f 1964, American Disability Act, and Affordable Care Act.