Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to enter into an initial contract with qualified vendor, Health Access LLC, for the support of clinical quality management (CQM) activities for the Ryan White and HIV system of care programs. The contract period with this vendor is March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025 in an amount not to exceed $90,000.00.
The City of Columbus, Columbus Public Health, receives funding for the Ryan White Part A HIV Care Grant Program from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), per Ordinance 2450-2023. The purpose of this grant is to improve access to quality medical care for persons with HIV or AIDS living in Central Ohio (Franklin, Licking, Delaware, Morrow, Union, Madison, Pickaway, and Fairfield counties). The goal is that each client will achieve viral suppression, which improves their quality of life and reduces the risk of spreading the infection.
A performance measure of the Central Ohio Ryan White program is the percentage of participants who achieve viral suppression. Health Access, LLC will assist Columbus Public Health is meeting deliverables outlined by grantor by developing a platform for Ryan White Part A Monitoring ,quality improvement strategies, and other CQM needs of the program defined in the scope of services. Specifically, Title XXVI of the PHS Act RWHAP Parts A - D1 establishes requirements for clinical quality management (CQM). Under the parameters set by HRSA’s Policy Clarification Notice 15-02, the Ryan White recipient is required to establish a CQM program. Health Access, LLC was granted a one-year contract via RFQ022980, for the time period of March 1, 2023 through February 28, 2024. Health Access, LLC is a for profit agency and a bid waiver is requested for this ordinance due to time constraints of the current grant cycle and need for continuation of service based grant requirements referenced above. This bid waiver is requested according to bidding requirements of the City Code 329.
Health Access, LLC : CC-042931
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency in order to ensure that quality medical care continues to be available to eligible persons living with HIV/AIDS and to ensure timely payment to providers.
FISCAL IMPACT:
All expenditures are budgeted in the Ryan White Part A Grant Program within the Health Department Grant Fund. ($90,000.00)
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into contract with Health Access, LLC, for the Ryan White Part A HIV Care Grant Program for the provision of services allowable under the grant for persons with HIV or AIDS in central Ohio; to authorize an expenditure from the Health Department Grants Fund to pay the costs thereof; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes; and to declare an emergency. ($90,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to allow the Board of Health to enter into a contract for HIV-related support services and any other service allowable under The Ryan White Part A Grant Program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to waive the bid requirements of Columbus City Codes Chapter 329 for these services due to time constraints of the current grant cycle and need for continuation of service based grant requirements; and
WHEREAS, Health Access, LLC has the expertise required to carry out those services and were awarded the current contract via RFQ022980; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to enter into a contract with Health Access, LLC, in order to ensure that quality medical care continues to be available to eligible persons living with HIV/AIDS, to ensure timely payment to providers, and for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, and safety; 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 Health Access LLC, for HIV-related support services to persons with HIV or AIDS in central Ohio, in a total amount not to exceed $90,000.00, for the period of March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025.
SECTION 2. That to pay the cost of said contract, the expenditure of $90,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from the Health Department Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, object class 03 per the attached accounting document.
SECTION 3. That City Council finds the waiver of competitive bid procedures of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes is in the best interest of the City, and does hereby waive the same.
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 6. 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.