GovWin SLED Coronavirus Recon

Word on the Street

(What our Analysts are hearing from government)

• The Kansas Office of Procurement and Contracts is not accepting bids via walk-in or mail through April 3, and encourages those to visit their website for information past April 3. All pending activities will be rescheduled to a date after April 5.
• The Minnesota Department of Human Services has started to cancel previously released RFP’s due to limited provider capacity during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
• The City of Boston, MA procurement department is closed to the public due to the public health emergency. Bids are to be submitted online at the City’s Supplier Portal website.
• The New York State Homes & Community Renewal (NYSHCR) division reported that in light of New York State’s reduction in workforce as part of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be delays in response to FOIL requests.

General 

• Shortages of COVID-19 Emergency Equipment in U.S. Cities
  • Last week the U.S. Conference of Mayors conducted a brief survey of its members "to document the magnitude of the need for vital protective equipment and supplies." Responses to the survey were received from 213 cities across 41 states and Puerto Rico with a combined population of 42 million people.
• (Indiana) Gov. Holcomb gives update on response to COVID-19 pandemic as state expects surge in patients
  • Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb made an announcement to review additional steps taken in the state, such as a call for more hospital beds and ventilators, and seeking help from retired physicians and nearly-graduated medical students to supplement the healthcare workforce.
• (Vermont) COVID-19 Roundup: Gov requires travelers to quarantine; cases reach 256
  • Governor Phil Scott on Monday said Vermont “strongly discourages” incoming travel from coronavirus hotspots in the Northeast, directing “non-essential” travelers from outside the state to self-quarantine for 14 days.
• Gov. Pritzker activates additional 115 Illinois National Guardsmen for COVID-19 response
  • The Illinois National Guard announced Monday that Governor JB Pritzker had activated about 115 additional Illinois National Guard Soldiers and Airmen in support of COVID-19 response operations, including work on communications and reporting between county health departments and the State Emergency Operations Center and the establishment of a new medical facility.
• (Maryland) Gov. Hogan Says He's Taken Unprecedented Action To Try To Flatten COVID-19 Curve
  • In this interview, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan describes the thought process and reasons behind the stay-at home directive for his state, as well as other matters.
• (Wisconsin) Gov. Evers announces public-private partnership to ‘double’ state’s COVID-19 testing capacity
  • Governor Tony Evers on Monday, March 30 announced a new public-private partnership among Wisconsin industry leaders to increase Wisconsin's laboratory testing capacity for COVID-19.
• White House approves disaster declaration for Pennsylvania
  • Pennsylvania’s request for a disaster declaration has been approved.
• (Arizona)  Governor issues stay at home order
• Nevada governor announces new emergency operation structure to direct COVID-19 response
  • The Nevada Division of Emergency Management and the state's Department of Health and Human Services will be temporarily aligned with the Nevada Office of the Military for the duration of the COVID-19 public health crisis to ensure the entirety of Nevada’s state government is used effectively and efficiently in response to this unprecedented emergency situation, Gov. Steve Sisolak announced Monday.
• Closed To The Public? Local Governments Respond Slowly – or Not at All – To Requests For COVID-19 Information and Records
  • Amid an unparalleled health crisis, when the public needs and craves information, NBC 7 Investigates has found that some local governments -- and at least one federal agency -- are reducing access to information.
  • But in response to requests for records under the California Public Records Act (CPRA,) San Diego County’s top attorney, Thomas Montgomery, said that “Due to this ongoing emergency, staff does not have the capacity to respond to your request until further notice.”
• (Connecticut) Request for Personal Protective Equipment
  • At the direction of Governor Lamont and the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the State of Connecticut has activated a framework for donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer’s body from injury or infection that are utilized by people providing healthcare services.

Funding & Economic Impact 

• Pentagon watchdog to oversee coronavirus spending
• Tim Storey on the Coronavirus Aid Package and States
  • Talks about what the $2 trillion coronavirus aid package meant for states and their responses to the pandemic
• Whitmer: Michigan dedicates additional $150M to coronavirus (COVID-19) response efforts
  • Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday that the state is dedicating an additional $150 million to the coronavirus (COVID-19) response efforts.
• (New Hampshire) NH to get $147M more in COVID-19 relief bill
  • New Hampshire will receive an additional $147 million in grants on top of the $1.25 billion direct funding grant from the CARES act.
• Gov. Whitmer freezes hiring, restricts discretionary spending for state government – Michigan
  • The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, is reaching the state budget causing Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to temporarily freeze state hiring and restricting discretionary spending.
  • The State Budget Office estimated Michigan could lose between $1 billion and $3 billion as a result of the COVID-19’s impact on the economy at the state level, and federally. The state currently has $1.2 billion in its Rainy Day Fund, or savings account, which is not enough money to cover the cost of a worst case scenario.
• Ohio legislators pass COVID-19 relief
  • State Representative Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) announced the unanimous passage of Am. Sub. H.B. 197 on Wednesday, March 25 by both House and Senate, providing emergency relief for Ohio families, businesses, and communities in the midst of the effects of COVID-19.
• Governor signs supplemental bills to fund COVID-19 response – Michigan
  • Today’s (March 30) signing of two supplemental budget bills will provide new state funding of $150 million to bolster response efforts. To date, the state has already expended more than $130 million to secure more than 20 million masks, more than 2,000 ventilators, nearly 9 million ounces of hand sanitizer, more than 255,000 boxes of gloves, 2.4 million gowns, more than 2,000 beds, 210,000 testing supplies, 3,000 thermometers, 185,000 face shields, 22,000 cartons of disinfecting wipes, as well as other needed supplies. The additional funding provided today, along with the supplies and funding provided by the federal government, helps ensure that Michigan has the necessary resources to save lives and slow the spread of COVID-19.”
• DC Small Business Recovery Microgrants
  • Mayor Bowser and the Council of the District of Columbia are investing $25 million in the COVID-19 Recovery Effort and the DC Small Business Recovery Microgrants Program, which will be housed in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.

Procurement

• (Maryland) Program Inquiry - Maryland Residential Child Care Providers
  • The State of Maryland is using a more informal procurement process to acquire child care services during the coronavirus pandemic.

Higher Education

• University of Arkansas Helping Small Businesses
  • The university's Small Business and Technology Development Center is partnering with the Northwest Arkansas Council to create the Small Business Emergency Assistance program, which will assist nonprofits and small businesses in the region
• MLA Grants for Part-Timers
  • The Modern Language Association is offering $500 grants, by lottery, to part-time faculty members affected by COVID-19.
• UW Madison Estimates $100 Million Loss
  • The University anticipates an $100 million loss because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chancellor Rebecca Blank has said that estimate assumes operations will return to normal by June.
• Stimulus Funding and OPM Payments
  • Colleges and universities that contract with online program management (OPM) companies to help with the transition to online instruction due to Coronavirus may not be able to have these associated costs reimbursed under the federal stimulus

K-12 Education

• Coronavirus in Ohio: Gov. DeWine extends school closures through May 1
  • Governor Mike DeWine announced that Ohio schools will remain closed through May 1.
• Whitmer to end Michigan school year; seniors graduate, others move up
  • The Governor of Michigan is likely to sign an executive order to close public and private K-12 schools for the remainder of the school
  • Schools are drafting remote learning plans but are not sure whether they will involve grades or not
  • The learning plans will be developed by individual school districts and administered to all students
  • High school seniors will graduate, even if they were still taking courses required for graduation by the Michigan Merit Curriculum this semester, as long as their school district determines they were on pace to graduate before the state-mandated shutdown March 16 – Michigan is expecting higher htan normal graduation rates
  • Current high school juniors will be given an opportunity next fall to take the SAT at the expense of the state
• (Kentucky) KDE cancels K-PREP testing for 2019-2020 school year
  • KDE had submitted a waiver over the weekend when the US Department of Education announced the option to cancel standardized tests for the school year. Kentucky has a tentative approval.
• (Duval and Clay County School Districts, Florida) Duval, St. Johns and Clay County schools to remain closed through May 1
  • Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran recommended schools keep campuses closed through May 1 as cases of the novel coronavirus continue to grow

Health Care

• How the coronavirus’ economic toll could also affect public health
• COVID-19 ILLINOIS UPDATE: STATE PREPARES FOR ‘SURGE’ AS CASES PASS 5,000; MCCORMICK PLACE WILL BE FIELD HOSPITAL
  • McCormick Place, the largest convention center in the U.S., is being converted into a field hospital. Many other large conference centers, stadiums, and venues are also being utilized as temporary medical triage facilities.
• A guide to telehealth vendors in the age of COVID-19
• States, Hospitals Grapple With Medical Rationing
• Public health official: Confirmed U.S. coronavirus cases 'a small fraction of the actual number'
• Orange County Officials Agree to Start Disclosing COVID-19 Hospitalization Data
  • All hospitals with emergency departments are operational and have cancelled all non-essential services, and are actively preparing for patient surge
• Rapid COVID-19 test that can deliver results in 15 minutes will be available Tuesday, FDA commissioner says
  • This new test would be available from Avid, a pharmaceuticals company
  • The tests would deliver results in 5 to 15 minutes, and availability of said tests will be ramping up
• Surge in telehealth use amid COVID-19
  • Mayo Clinic has started providing care to patients through telehealth that includes video appointments, remote patient monitoring, interactive care plans, primary care concerns, specialty visits and COVID-related visits
• A guide to telehealth vendors in the age of COVID-19
  • A listing of telemedicine companies that can help hospitals and other provider organizations deliver quality virtual care
• COVID-19 Bonanza: Stimulus Hands Health Industry Billions Not Directly Related To Pandemic
  • Congress agreed to reverse scheduled cuts in the rates paid by Medicaid and Medicare
• Architects and Engineers are 3D Printing Medical Gear During Pandemic
  • 3D printers have become emergency producers of masks, visors, and other protective gear as hospitals face shortages
• Ford will make ventilators for GE, joining General Motors
  • Ford is the latest automaker to announce that it will start making desperately needed ventilators that are crucial for treating the worst symptoms of COVID-19

Social Services 

• Supplemental SNAP benefits in response to COVID-19 will be issued to many Louisiana households
  • Louisiana households receiving SNAP benefits will see an extra boost on their cards following a waiver from the USDA authorizing SNAP benefits to be brought to their maximum allotment.

Justice/Public Safety

• Virtual Public Safety Conference on COVID-19
  • “DATAMARK, the public safety GIS team of Michael Baker International, is hosting a free, multi-day virtual public safety conference to offer education and support to GIS and Public Safety Professionals.” The virtual conference is being held Monday, March 30 – Friday, April 3, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Pacific Daily
• (New York) NYC’s 911 Overwhelmed With Record Number of Emergency Medical Calls
  • Emergency calls in New York City have reached their highest levels since September 11, 2001. First responders expect the amount of calls to increase even more in the coming weeks, which will be a challenge as staff is continuing to fall ill.
• Treasury secretary says first responders could receive COVID-19 hazard pay
  • Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin stated that hazard pay for first responders may be included in future legislation for coronavirus relief and aid.
• (New York) Prisoners in New York City jails sound alarm as coronavirus spreads: 'I fear for my life'
• (New York) NYPD: 730 uniformed members test positive for COVID-19, up 300 from last week
• (Colorado) Reports of fake police on the rise in Colo. since stay-at-home order

Transportation

• Ford postpones reopening ‘key’ plants due to coronavirus pandemic
  • Ford production plants were previously scheduled to open in early April, and that timeline has now been pushed back following an extension of the social distancing guidelines by the federal government.
• (California) BART uses coronavirus downtime to continue improving its system
  • The Bay Area Transit is continuing its infrastructure work amid the coronavirus pandemic. Their capital projects are not paid for by operating funds and thus these projects can continue as planned.
• (California) CA: North Bay public transit agencies set to receive portion of $1.3 billion in federal stimulus package
  • Transit agencies across the United States continue to see a big dip in revenue as a result of shelter-in-place orders and social distancing guidelines. North Bay public transit agencies are set to receive some money from the recently signed stimulus package to help the agencies operate, and more importantly be there for when more people need public transportation as the pandemic begins to diminish.

Public Utilities

• Tracking the impact of coronavirus on the US power sector
  • Resource for up to date information on how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting the United States power sector.
• Distributed storage could see growth in demand amid COVID-19 pandemic, analysts say
  • Distributed energy storage could see an increase in demand as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The article discusses how high profile events where people feel isolated typically result in an uptick of distributed energy storage demand.