Testing supplies and equipment used by the Pathology Laboratories to provide human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) viral load testing necessary to monitor UI Health patients response to antiviral therapy and disease progression.

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)) Viral load testing is a crucial component of patient care for many patients that if not performed here would still need to be sent to other laboratories to be completed. This would come at a significant cost in expenses and in time waiting for results denying care providers the ability to make decisions in a timely manner.