Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health (CPH) provides TB skin testing for patients of the Ben Franklin Tuberculosis Control program. The Health Department uses the Quantiferon Blood Assay (QFT) screening test to screen patients for Tuberculosis. Qiagen, Inc. has provided CPH with the software and instrumentation necessary to perform these tests. Changes to the testing methodology could result in delayed and inconsistent laboratory results. In addition, new instrumentation would have to be brought in house, new training for staff, new protocols and procedures would need to be rewritten and validation studies would need to be performed. This process would have a significant impact on our clients. This vendor has patented the test kits thus being the only vendor allowed to distribute them. Utilizing another vendor would have a long term effort resulting in unnecessary development costs and therefore, it is in the best interest of the City to waive competitive bidding. This ordinance authorizes the Director of Finance and Management to establish a purchase order with Qiagen, Inc., for QFT blood test kits in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00.
Qiagen, Inc.’s contract compliance number is 954141306, which is effective through April, 2017.
Emergency action is requested to ensure a sufficient supply of TB screening test kits for patients.
FISCAL IMPACT: All expenditures from this contract will be fully reimbursed from funds in the TB Prevention/Control Special Purpose Fund. This ordinance is contingent on Ordinance No. 0062-2016.
Title
To authorize the Director of Finance and Management to establish a purchase order with Qiagen, Inc., for the purchase of Quantiferon Blood Assay (QFT) screening test kits for Columbus Public Health’s Ben Franklin Tuberculosis Control Program; to authorize the expenditure of $25,000.00 from the TB Prevention/Control Special Purpose Fund; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of City Code; and to declare an emergency. ($25,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Public Health provides TB screening tests for patients of the Ben Franklin Tuberculosis Control Program; and,
WHEREAS, Columbus Public Health is in need of the Quantiferon Blood Assay (QFT) screening test kits to provide TB tests; and,
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code in order to establish this purchase order with Qiagen, Inc.; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to establish a purchase order with Qiagen, Inc., to ensure a sufficient supply of TB screening test kits, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; Now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Finance and Management is hereby authorized to establish a purchase order with Qiagen, Inc. for the purchase of QFT screening test kits for the Ben Franklin Tuberculosis Clinic through March 31, 2017.
SECTION 2. That the total expenditure of $25,000.00 is hereby authorized from the TB Prevention/Control Special Purpose Fund, Fund 2223, Subfund 222343, Department of Health, Division No. 5001, Object Class 02, Program No. HE004, Section 3 500110, Section 4 HE36.
SECTION 3. That this Council finds it in the City's best interest to waive competitive bidding provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code.
SECTION 4. 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 5. That for the 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.