Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Finance to enter into a contract for an option to purchase pharmaceuticals with Cardinal Health 110, Inc., to authorize the expenditure of $250,000.00, to waive the provisions of competitive bidding, and to declare an emergency.($250,000.00)
Explanation
Background: This legislation authorizes the Director of Finance of the City of Columbus to enter into a contract with Cardinal Health 110, Inc., on behalf of the Division of Fire, for the purchase of pharmaceutical products.
The Columbus Division of Fire provides emergency medical services to all in need. With the advent of EMS Billing, the Division of Fire must stock more medical supplies, thereby increasing the amount of pharmaceuticals to be purchased. To maximize city resources, the Division of Fire worked with the Finance Department's Purchasing Division to obtain optimal pricing for pharmaceutical products.
The Fire Division and Purchasing Division have analyzed several purchasing options for pharmaceuticals, and have determined that many of these drugs are available through a national buying consortium for healthcare providers. With help of the Central Ohio Organization of Public Purchasers and the Ohio State University (OSU) Hospitals supply group, the Fire Division, and thus the City of Columbus, will qualify for lower pricing on pharmaceuticals, saving the City of Columbus 10% to 27% on pharmaceutical purchases.
The Ohio State University Hospital has agreed to sponsor the City of Columbus, Division of Fire as an Alternate Purchasing Location (APL) through the buying consortium Novation. As an APL of OSU, the Columbus Division of Fire will see significant savings from the Novation Consortium contract (competitively bid by Novation) with Cardinal Health 110, Inc.
Bid Information: The provisions of competitive bidding are being waived to insure these purchases may begin promptly and continue without interruption.
Contract Compliance: 68-0158739
Emergency Designation: An emergency designation is requested to insure these purchases may begin promptly and continue without interruption.
Fiscal Impact: Funds are budgeted within the Fire Division's 2003 General Fund Budget.
Body
WHEREAS, the Division of Fire, in an effort to maximize city resources, worked with the Division of Purchasing to obtain optimal pricing for pharmaceutical products; and
WHEREAS, the Fire Division and Purchasing Division analyzed several purchasing options for pharmaceutical products/services; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Fire, and thus the City of Columbus, will qualify for lower pricing on pharmaceutical purchases via a buying consortium contract with Cardinal Health 110, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, competitive bidding is being waived to enter into this contract, to insure these purchases may begin promptly and continue without interruption; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Division of Fire, Department of Public Safety in that it is immediately necessary to enter into a contract with Cardinal Health 110, Inc., and waive provisions of competitive bidding, thereby preserving 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 is hereby authorized to enter into a contract between the City of Columbus, on behalf of the Division of Fire, and Cardinal Health 110, Inc. to purchase pharmaceuticals products.
Section 2. This Council finds it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to waive the provisions of Section 329.06 of the Columbus City Codes to permit the authorization to enter into a contract for these purchases.
Section 3. That the expenditure of $250,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be expended from the General Fund 010, Public Safety Department, Division of Fire 30-04, OCA Code 301531, OL3 Code 2207, to pay the cost thereof.
Section 4. 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.