Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Safety to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus Code and enter into a contract with MED 3000, Inc. for EMS billing, collection, and reporting services as needed for the Division of Fire's Third Party EMS Reimbursement Program.
The City of Columbus contracts for the billing, collection, and reporting of those who are transported to hospitals by Columbus Fire Division EMS personnel for emergency medical care. These billing, collection, and reporting services commenced in 2003, and have since generated a multitude of patient care information used by Columbus Fire to better prepare EMS response protocols and, in turn, respond to City of Columbus citizens in a more effective manner.
The City's original contract with MED 3000 Inc. was for three years with additional extension of up to two years. The Safety Director now seeks approval to waive the formal competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Code and enter into a new contract with MED 3000 to continue EMS services for the citizens of Columbus. The company has performed exceptionally in terms of both billing and capturing of data for patient quality review. Waiving competitive bidding will ensure that the City continues to garner uninterrupted revenues, forgo retraining of firefighters on new computer hardware and software, forgo the installation of docking stations, continue customized patient quality review, and reap better savings by negotiating to pay the vendor less of a percentage of revenues received.
Contract Compliance: The contract compliance number for MED 3000 Inc. is 251837785, expires 04/02/2014
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested so that EMS billing, collection and reporting services can continue without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an expenditure of $400,000.00 from the General Fund to enter into contract for the first three months of EMS billing and reporting services with MED 3000, beginning November 1st, 2012. Cancelled encumbrances from the current EMS contract and remaining EMS funds from this year's budget will be allocated to this contract until the passage of the 2013 budget when additional funds will be allocated. Approximately $1,105,577 have been expended on EMS billing contract this year and $1,523,000.00 in 2011.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Safety to enter into a contract with MED 3000, Inc. for EMS billing, collection, and reporting services for the Division of Fire; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Code and authorize the expenditure of $400,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($400,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City contracts for EMS Billing and Collection Services, as initiated via Ordinance #1184-2002, passed July 22, 2002; and
WHEREAS, the City's seeks to retain the services of MED 3000 Inc., who have been the City's EMS billing and reporting contractor since 2007; and
WHEREAS, MED 3000 Inc. has performed exceptionally in terms of both billing and capturing data for patient quality and review; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to waive the City of Columbus' competitive bidding requirements in order to contract with MED 3000 Inc.; and
WHEREAS, by waiving bidding, the division will continue to garner uninterrupted revenues, forgo retraining of firefighters on new computer hardware and software, forgo the installation of docking stations, continue customized patient quality review reporting, and reap better savings by negotiating to pay the vendor less of a percentage of revenues received; 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 MED 3000, Inc. for EMS billing, collection and reporting services so that billing can continue without interruption, 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 Public Safety is hereby authorized to enter into a contract between the City and MED 3000, Inc. for the Division of Fire's EMS billing, collection and reporting services.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $400,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, be and the same is hereby authorized as follows;
General Fund 010|Department of Public Safety 30|Division of Fire No 30-04|OCA Code 301559|Object Level Three 03|Object Level One 3336|Amount $400,000.00.
SECTION 3. That in accordance with Section 329.27 of the Columbus City Code, this Council finds the best interest of the City is served by waiving, and does hereby waive Section 329.06 (formal Competitive Bidding) 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.That there is no immediate expenditure associated with this ordinance; if necessary, a subsequent ordinance will be penned to authorize the modification of the contract.
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.