Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Interim Director of the Department of Human Resources to enter into a service contract with OhioHealth Corporation, in the amount of up to $430,000.00 for the Occupational Safety and Health Medical Services Clinic contract.
Currently, the Occupational Safety and Health Clinic provides surveillance exams and appropriate follow-up to at-risk City employees, identifies occupational-related disease or disability, assists in rehabilitation activities, determines fitness and suitability for assigned work, and promotes and maintains PERRP/OSHA compliance. The Clinic also promotes employee health, wellness, and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease/injury, assisting with injury care and rehabilitation, and providing educational and training programs that promote employee wellness and safe work practices.
In 2024, the Department of Human Resources solicited Requests for Proposals (RFP) for the Occupational Safety and Health Medical Services Clinic contract. The RFP was formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Bonfire website from August 14, 2024, to September 27, 2024. The city received four (4) responses. Three (3) proposals were deemed responsive and fully evaluated. Mount Carmel Health Providers Inc. received the highest score and was awarded the Occupational Safety and Health Medical Services Clinic contract.
In early 2026, the City of Columbus, Department of Human Resources, was notified that Mount Carmel Health Providers Inc. could not renew the 2026 Occupational Safety and Health Medical Services Clinic contract due to the vendor’s organizational restructuring.
The Department of Human Resources requests to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329 to enter into a contract with OhioHealth Corporation, which received the second-highest evaluation score in RFQ028481. Additionally, there is not enough time to obtain formally advertised, competitive sealed bids to satisfy the needs of City Code Chapter 329 before contract services are needed. Finally, the Department of Human Resources was able to negotiate similar rates with OhioHealth Corporation from the initial five (5) year contract with Mount Carmel Health Providers Inc.
Searches in the System for Award Management (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against the OhioHealth Corporation.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
OhioHealth Corporation’s contract compliance number is CC-006104, expiring on 10/29/2027.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this contract will be available within Fund 5502, the Employee Benefits Fund.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is respectfully requested to allow contract services to continue without interruption.
Title
To authorize the Interim Director of the Department of Human Resources to enter into a service contract with OhioHealth Corporation for the Occupational Safety and Health Medical Services Clinic; to authorize the expenditure of up to $430,000.00 from the Employee Benefits Fund to pay for this contract; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of the Columbus City Codes; and to declare an emergency. ($430,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, there is a need to enter into a service contract to provide Occupational Safety and Health Medical Services Clinic; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Human Resources solicited Requests for Proposals for the Occupational Safety and Health Medical Services Clinic contract; and
WHEREAS, the term of the contract is four (4) years, with the option to extend, upon mutual agreement, for three (3) additional one-year contracts, subject to appropriation; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance represents funding authority for the first year of the four-year contract; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to enter into a contract with OhioHealth Corporation for the provision of services described above in the amount of up to $430,000.00; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of up to $430,000.00 from the Employee Benefits Fund to pay for the contract; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the city to waive relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code relating to competitive bidding in this situation because there is not enough time to obtain formally advertised, competitive sealed bids to satisfy the needs of City Code Chapter 329 before contract services are needed; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Human Resources in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Interim Director of the Department of Human Resources to enter into contract with OhioHealth Corporation in order to provide funding for the Occupational Safety and Health Medical Services Clinic so that services may continue without disruption, given that the prior year’s contract expires terminated on February 28, 2026, 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 Interim Director of the Department of Human Resources be, and hereby is, authorized to enter into a service contract with OhioHealth Corporation, Dept L 3641, Columbus, OH 43260, for the Occupational Safety and Health Medical Services Clinic contract from March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2030, in an amount up to $430,000.00. The contract may be renewed for three (3) additional one-year terms upon mutual agreement of the Department and OhioHealth Corporation, subject to sufficient appropriations and City Council authorization.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $430,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 5502 (Employee Benefits Fund), Dept-Div 4603 (Columbus Occupational Safety and Health Administration), in Object Class 03 (Purchased Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That City Council hereby finds it to be in the best interests of the City to waive the competitive bidding requirements of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes and does hereby waive the same.
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.