BOSTON — As long lines continue at testing sites across the state, the administration of Gov. Charlie Baker yesterday announced contracts with COVID-19 at-home test manufacturers that will allow municipalities and eligible entities to begin the process of placing orders for rapid test kits that utilize the state-negotiated prices.
In a written statement, Baker said these contracts build on an announcement earlier this month that his administration secured 2.1 million iHealth Labs over-the-counter at-home rapid antigen tests that were delivered to 102 cities and towns in Massachusetts with the highest percentage of families below the poverty level, according to U.S. Census data. These kits were delivered to those communities free of charge, as part of a focus on increasing access for individuals and families who are facing financial hardship, the administration said.
Baker described the contracts signed yesterday as “another tool to support eligible organizations and entities’ access to COVID-19 at-home rapid antigen test kits, which are an important tool to mitigate transmission of COVID-19.”
As of this week, three manufacturers have been awarded these contracts; Ellume Limited, iHealth, and Intrivo. Tests ordered through these contracts will have state-negotiated prices ranging from $5-$26 per test. Additional manufacturers are expected to be awarded contracts in the coming weeks as the rolling contracting period continues through March 2022.
While Baker administration officials have assurances from each manufacturer that there is significant supply, given the high demand across the country, and the level of interest from a wide range of organizations and entities in purchasing these kits, municipalities and eligible entities should review their options and take steps toward making orders should they be interested in purchasing these products, Baker said.
In its communication yesterday to municipal and other buyers, the state Operational Services Division (OSD) also outlined other options available for purchasing rapid test kits, including purchasing them through previous statewide contracts with distributors.
Municipalities are eligible to utilize federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to purchase these test kits. For more details on the resources and contracts, please click here.
Who is eligible to order:
- Cities, towns, districts, counties, and other political subdivisions
- Executive, legislative, and judicial branches, including all departments and elected offices therein
- Independent public authorities, commissions, and quasi-public agencies
- Local public libraries, public school districts, private schools, charter schools, and early childhood centers
- Public hospitals owned by the state
- Public and private institutions of higher education
- Public purchasing cooperatives
- Nonprofits in either of the below categories, if they are registered with OSD: Non-profit human and social service providers under contract with the Commonwealth; and other non-profit organizations receiving public funding from state, federal, or local governments in the form of appropriated funds, grants, or contracts
- Other states and territories with no prior approval by the State Purchasing Agent
- Other entities when designated in writing by the state purchasing agent (individual cities and towns or school districts in other states where the entire state is not authorized to purchase)
“As demand for these test kits remains high across the country, these contracts are another tool for state residents to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19,” the administration said in the statement.
There are multiple testing resources in the state available to residents, municipalities, educational institutions, and other entities. For detailed information on testing, click here.
Baker said Massachusetts performs more COVID tests than almost any other state in the country thanks to the hundreds of existing testing locations across the the state, including 38 free state-sponsored “Stop the Spread” testing sites. Residents can also access COVID-19 at-home test kits at local pharmacies or online retailers.
COVID-19 rapid tests are one of many risk-reduction measures, along with vaccination, that can protect individuals by reducing the chances of spreading COVID-19.
