Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health has received the primary Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) award alongside additional grant carryover funds from the 2025 unobligated grant balance, referenced in Ordinance No. 0713-2026. The Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) grant program is funded by 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. (KW2) to provide targeted media campaign and public awareness of the initiative via two separate contracts for reporting and tracking purposes to grantor.
Columbus Public Health desires to conduct outreach to build awareness and provide education regarding the importance of linkage to care and viral suppression. This media campaign will address HIV stigma to enable HIV care and prevention, generating thousands of impressions and click-throughs via allowable social media mechanisms. Through this initiative, as part of this effort, KW2 also assists Columbus Public Health in disseminating the "Know HIV No Fear" social media campaign that promotes HIV testing and care. The term of each contract is September 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027.
Knupp & Watson and Wallman, Inc. CC-029262: $73,600.00
Knupp & Watson and Wallman, Inc. CC-029262: $102,400.00
TOTAL CONTRACTS: $176,000.00
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: These contracts are entirely funded by grant awards 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 two contracts with Knupp & Watson & Wallman, Inc. for the provision of a HIV awareness and outreach targeted media campaign for the period of September 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027; to authorize the expenditure of $176,000.00 from the Health Department Grants Fund to pay the costs thereof; and to declare an emergency. ($176,000.00)
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 September 1, 2026, through February 28, 2027; 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 two contracts with Knupp &Watson & Wallman, Inc. for the provision of services under the HIV Prevention grant program, for the period of September 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027.
SECTION 2. That to pay the cost of said contract, the expenditure of $176,000.00 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.