Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health received funds 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. Columbus Public Health will contract with AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) for HIV Testing and Screening services to persons at highest risk of HIV infection at community based testing sites. All negatives that are at highest risk of HIV shall be referred to PrEP. All HIV positive cases shall be referred to medical care, as well as CPH's Prevention Services.
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 diagnose and prevent pillars.
Services for this contract were advertised through the RFQ process (RFQ023021) in October 2022. This is year one of a five year contract. AHF (Contract Compliance No. 95-4112121) will be awarded a contract for $100,000.00. This contractor is a nonprofit organization. These services cannot be provided by existing city employees.
Emergency action is required to ensure the continued operation of the ODH EHE grant program.
FISCAL IMPACT: This contract is entirely funded by a grant award from the Ohio Department of Health. This grant does not generate revenue nor require a city match.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into a not for profit services contract with AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) for the provision of HIV Testing and Screening services for the period January 1, 2023 through July 31, 2023; to authorize the expenditure of $100,000.00 from the Health Department Grants Fund to pay the costs thereof; and to declare an emergency. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Public Health has received funding from the Ohio Department of Health for the HIV Prevention grant program; and
WHEREAS, in order to ensure continued service provisions under the program, it is necessary to enter into a not for profit services contract with AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a nonprofit organization, for the provision of HIV Testing and Screening services; and
WHEREAS, the contract period is to be January 1, 2023 through July 31, 2023; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Board to enter into a contract with AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare, and to ensure the continued operation of the HIV Prevention Program; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized to enter into a not for profit services contract with AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a nonprofit organization, for the provision of services under the HIV Prevention grant program, for the period of January 1, 2023 through July 31, 2023.
SECTION 2. That to pay the cost of said contract, the expenditure of $100,000.00 is hereby authorized from the Health Department Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, Department No. 50, Division 5001, per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.