Explanation
BACKGROUND:
The City of Columbus, Columbus Public Health, receives funding for the Implementing Enhanced HIV Prevention and Surveillance for Health Departments to End the HIV Epidemic in Ohio Grant Program from the Ohio Department of Health. The purpose of this grant is to create “Disruptive Innovation” by seeking to prevent new HIV infections by focusing on four (4) pillars: treating HIV to achieve viral suppression, diagnose HIV so that all persons know their HIV status, prevent infections through PrEP and syringe support programs and respond to HIV clusters or outbreaks within the community. This grant specifically focuses on the diagnoses and prevention pillars.
This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to enter into and, if needed, modify a contract with Equitas Health to provide HIV-related early intervention services and any other services allowable under the grant. The term of the contract is March 1, 2022, through July 31, 2022, with funding based on vendor estimates of annual funding requirements for allowable services.
Equitas Health: $146,361
This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to enter into a contract with Equitas Health, modify said contract if portions of previously appropriated and encumbered funds are unused, and reallocate unused funds by entering into contracts with newly identified and qualified vendors without the need for additional legislation. As such, this ordinance requests a waiver of the competitive bidding provisions of City Code Chapter 329.
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency in order to ensure that quality medical care continues to be available to eligible persons living with HIV/AIDS and to ensure timely payment to providers.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The contracts will be entered into by Columbus Public Health with vendors who meet federal requirements related to services allowable under the Implementing Enhanced HIV Prevention and Surveillance for Health Departments to End the HIV Epi...
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