Texas Health Services Authority Issues RFI For Interface Development Services To Support Interoperability In Health Information Technology Across Texas

The Texas Health Services Authority (THSA) recently issued a national request for information (RFI) to identify interface development services that are available to meet the needs of the THSA, Texas health information exchanges (HIE) and those who are connected or wish to connect to an HIE. The purpose of an interface development system is to integrate electronic health record (EHR) systems and healthcare information systems that may be operated by several different vendors, thereby enabling interoperability and seamless exchange of health information. This RFI includes information on the parties providing these interface development services, the range of services available and the associated costs.

“The mission of the THSA includes supporting the improvement and availability of HIE and health information technology (HIT) throughout the state,” said Tony Gilman, chief executive officer of THSA. “Many HIEs and users of HIT experience barriers, including cost and the availability of interfaces that will allow for the smooth connection and communication of HIEs, EHRs and other HIT systems, especially those created by different vendors. The RFI issued today is the start of a longer-term initiative by THSA to eliminate barriers to HIE and HIT access in Texas.”

Based on information obtained in response to the RFI, THSA plans to release a vendor and cost list that can be used by Texas HIEs and relevant stakeholders in contracting with vendors for interface development services. THSA anticipates that responders to this RFI may include integrators, developers and other technology service firms.

Questions or clarifications concerning this RFI must be submitted to THSA no later than Tuesday, May 19, 2015, and final RFI responses must be submitted no later than Tuesday, June 16, 2015 via mail: Tony Gilman, CEO, Texas Health Services Authority, 5900 Southwest Parkway, Building 2, Suite 201, Austin, TX 78735; FAX: (512) 814-0322; or email: procurement@thsa.org.

A copy of the RFI, which includes a schedule of important dates, is available at http://hietexas.org/component/docman/doc_download/845-interface-rfi-may-2015?Itemid=

About THSA:
The Texas Health Services Authority is responsible for coordinating the implementation of health information exchange (HIE) in Texas. The THSA was created by the Texas legislature in 2007 as a public-private partnership, legally structured as a non-profit corporation, to support the improvement of the Texas health care system by promoting and coordinating HIE and health information technology (HIT) throughout the state to ensure that the right information is available to the right health care providers at the right times.