Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health received additional grant carryover funds for the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) grant program, referenced in Ordinance No. 0151-2025. The Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) grant program is funded from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), with funds originating from the Department of Health and Human Services. Columbus Public Health will contract with Knupp & Watson & Wallman, Inc. (KW2) to provide an advertising campaign with targeted outreach and awareness.
The City of Columbus’s Sexual Health Promotion Division provides sexual transmitted infections prevention services, including HIV and other STI screening, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) education and referral, linkage to care for persons with HIV and/or an STI, and retention in HIV care. Columbus Public Health desires to conduct outreach to build awareness and provide education regarding the importance of medical care and viral suppression, screening for persons at risk of HIV and making referrals for PrEP. The term of the contract is October 1, 2025 through February 28, 2026.
These services were competitively bid through vendor services (RFQ029075) and Bonfire (Sexual Health Outreach Campaigns) in October 2024, according to bidding requirements of the City Code.
Emergency action is required to ensure the continued operation of the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) grant program. This is necessary to meet grant deliverables required by grantor and avoid risk of forfeiture of future funds.
FISCAL IMPACT: This contract is entirely funded by a grant award from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This grant does not generate revenue nor require a city match.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into a contract with Knupp & Watson & Wallman, Inc. for the provision of a HIV awareness and outreach targeted media campaign for the period of October 1, 2025 through February 28, 2026; to authorize the expenditure of $500,000.00 from the Health Department Grants Fund to pay the costs thereof; and to declare an emergency. ($500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Public Health has received funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for the Ending the HIV Epidemic grant program; and
WHEREAS, in order to ensure continued services provisions under the program, it is necessary to enter into a contract with Knupp & Watson & Wallman, Inc. for the provision of a HIV outreach targeted media campaign; and
WHEREAS, the contract period is October 1, 2025 through February 28, 2026; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Board to enter into a contract with Knupp & Watson & Wallman, Inc. for the immediate preservation of the public Health, peace, property, safety and welfare, and to ensure the continued operation of the HIV Prevention Program; 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 Knupp & Watson & Wallman, Inc. for the provision of services under the HIV Prevention grant program, for the period of October 1, 2025 through February 28, 2026.
SECTION 2. That to pay the cost of said contract, the expenditure of $500,000.00 is hereby authorized from the Health Department Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, Department No. 50, Division 5001, per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That for 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.