Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health received additional grant carryover funds for the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) grant program, referenced in Ordinance No. 0441-2024. 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 and Wallman, Inc. to provide an advertising campaign with targeted outreach and awareness.
Columbus Public Health desires to conduct outreach to build ongoing awareness and provide education regarding the importance of screening for persons at risk of HIV, as well as viral suppression and overall health promotion for persons living with HIV. Furthermore, this project includes a focus on Know HIV No Fear media campaign. Services are focused upon men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender and gender non-conforming communities, focusing on racial disparities that exist within these communities. The term of the contract is June 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025.
These services were competitively bid through vendor services (RFQ22658) and Bonfire (Sexual Health Outreach Campaign) in August of 2022, 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 June 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025; to authorize the expenditure of $119,599.00 from the Health Department Grants Fund to pay the costs thereof; and to declare an emergency. ($119,599.00)
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 June 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025; 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. to ensure the continued operation of the HIV Prevention Program and to meet grant deliverables required by grantor and avoid risk of forfeiture of future funds, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and 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 June 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025.
SECTION 2. That to pay the cost of said contract, the expenditure of $119,599.00 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.