Explanation
BACKGROUND:
Columbus Public Health received additional grant carryover funds from fiscal year 2023, for the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) grant program, referenced in Ordinance No. 0441-2024. This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to modify an existing contract with Knupp, Watson & Wallman, Inc. for services that include HIV and other STI screening, PrEP education and referral, linkage to care for persons with HIV and/or an STI, and retention in HIV care. The term of the contract is June 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025, with funding based on service assessments for allowable services under the Ending the HIV Epidemic Grant program.
This contract was originally set at a price point of $119,599.00, was modified by $280,401.00 via ordinance 2457-2024 using fiscal year 2021 and fiscal year 2022 carryover funds , and is being increased by $200,000.00 via fiscal year 2023 carryover funds for a new total amount of $600,000.00 via Ordinance 2678-2024 . This contract is being modified due to Columbus Public Health needing additional prevention services via media platforms to meet program needs. These services are outlined in an approved carryover budget. Furthermore, services are further expanded with Knupp, Watson & Wallman, Inc. to serve more EHE recipients and meet program deliverables with carryover funds from fiscal year 2023. This modification will allow the additional provision of 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. Knupp, Watson & Wallman, Inc. 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. All price points included in this modification were established per service being delivered and reviewed in an approved budget.
Knupp, Watson & Wallman, Inc. CC-029262: contract increased by $200,000.00 for a new total amount not to exceed $600,000.00
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 modify an existing contract with Knupp, Watson & Wallman, Inc. for the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) grant program, for the provision of targeted media services for sexual transmitted infections prevention services for the period of June 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025; to authorize the expenditure of $200,000.00 from the Health Department Grants Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($200,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Board of Health has a need to modify an existing contract with Knupp, Watson & Wallman, Inc. for the provision of services allowable under the grant, for the provision of targeted media services for sexual transmitted infections prevention services for the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) grant program for the period of June 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Knupp, Watson & Wallman, Inc. has the expertise; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Board of Health to modify a contract with Knupp, Watson and Wallman, Inc. in order to ensure continuity of services for Ending the HIV Epidemic clients 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 modification with Knupp, Watson & Wallman, Inc., for a total amount not to exceed $600,000.00, for HIV-related services to persons with HIV or AIDS in central Ohio, for the period of June 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025.
SECTION 2. That to pay the cost of said contract, the expenditure of $200,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from the Health grant fund , Fund No. 2251, object class 03 per the attached accounting document.
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 necessary to ensure that this contract is properly accounted for and recorded accurately on the city's financial records.
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.