Explanation
BACKGROUND: In January, 2015, Columbus Public Health received funding from the Ohio Department of Health for the 2015 STD Control grant program. In October, 2015, Columbus Public Health was awarded $20,000.00 in additional grant monies for the 2015 STD Control grant program. These supplemental funds are to be used to implement a syphilis awareness media campaign, due to the current syphilis outbreak in Franklin County, and must be spent by December 31, 2015. $20,000.00 in grant funding from a Federal HIV Prevention grant program will also be used for the implementation of a PrEP awareness media campaign. The comorbidity rate between syphilis and HIV is 75%. To complete the deliverables of the grants, Columbus Public Health will contract with Gatehouse Media Partners, Inc. The contract compliance number for Gatehouse Media Partners, Inc. is 203576874 and is active through 03/25/2016.
This ordinance is needed to authorize a contract with Gatehouse Media Partners, Inc. to implement a syphilis and PrEP awareness media campaign. Because of the late award of these supplemental grant funds, there is not sufficient time to solicit bids for this project. Therefore, this ordinance waives the competitive bidding provisions of Chapter 329 of the City Code.
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency to ensure the grant deliverables are met within the required timeline.
FISCAL IMPACT: This contract is funded by grant awards from the Ohio Department of Health.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into contract with Gatehouse Media Partners, Inc. to implement a syphilis and PrEP awareness media campaign; to authorize the expenditure of $40,000.00 from the Health Department Grants Fund; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the City Code; and to declare an emergency. ($40,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Public Health has received a $20,000.00 supplemental grant award from the Ohio Department of Health to implement a syphilis awareness media campaign before the end of 2015; and,
WHEREAS, $20,000.00 in grant monies are also available from a Federal HIV Prevention grant program for a PrEP awareness campaign; and,
WHEREAS, because of the late award of these supplemental grant funds and the need to expend these monies during FY2015, there is not sufficient time to solicit bids for this campaign, therefore, this ordinance waives the competitive bidding provisions of Chapter 329 of the City Code; and,
WHEREAS, Gatehouse Media Partners, Inc. has the necessary expertise to perform these services; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to enter into a contract with Gatehouse Media Partners, Inc. to ensure the grant deliverables are met within the required timeline 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 Board of Health is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Gatehouse Media Partners, Inc. to implement a syphilis and PrEP awareness media campaign in the amount of $40,000.00 for the time period of October 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015.
SECTION 2. That to pay the cost of said contract, the expenditure of $20,000.00 is hereby authorized from the Health Department Grants Fund, Fund No. 251, Department of Health, Division No. 50-01, Grant No. 501507, OCA Code 501507, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3336.
SECTION 3. That to pay the cost of said contract, the expenditure of $20,000.00 is hereby authorized from the Health Department Grants Fund, Fund No. 251, Department of Health, Division No. 50-01, Grant No. 501506, OCA Code 501506, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3336.
SECTION 4. That this Council finds it in the best interests of the City to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Chapter 329 of the City Code.
SECTION 5. 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 6. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is 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.