Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health (CPH) has been awarded the Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Implementation Study grant from pass through agency, University of Washington (UW); primary funding source originates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); approved via Ordinance 0002-2026.
This ordinance is needed to authorize two (2) contracts under the Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Implementation Study grant program. All contract terms included in this ordinance are from April 1, 2026 through September 29, 2026, with the following qualified vendors: Equitas Health, Inc., Knupp & Watson & Wallman, Inc. (KW2).
Equitas is a not for profit agency and is exempt from bidding according to bidding requirements of the City Code 329.30. The purpose of the contract is for delivery of HIV prevention services, including, but not limited to Resource Navigation and Client Transportation to support clients who are vulnerable to HIV acquisition. These services specifically require working with a Pharmacist and cannot be provided by existing city employees because CPH does not employ any Pharmacists.
KW2 was competitively bid through vendor services (RFQ029075) and Bonfire (Sexual Health Outreach Campaigns) in October 2024, according to bidding requirements of the City Code. The services incorporated in the contract are providing education and awareness of Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (DoxyPEP)for health care providers to increase persons prescribing DoxyPEP and for community members through social media campaigns to increase demand for DoxyPEP. These services cannot be provided by existing city employees.
This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to enter into initial contracts with qualified vendors, modify those contracts if portions of previously appropriated and encumbered funds are unused and reallocate unused funds amongst the initial vendors without the need for additional legislation.
Equitas Health, Inc. (EBO_CC-CC043135): $83,000.00
Knupp & Watson & Wallman, Inc.: $100,000.00
Total Amount: $183,000.00
Emergency action is required to ensure the continued operation of Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Implementation Study grant program and to meet grant deliverables required by the grantor to avoid forfeiture of future funds.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance will authorize one ACPO in the amount of $183,000.00 to encumber funds using available grant appropriations for contracts with vendors. These contracts are funded entirely by a grant award from the Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Implementation Study grant program.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into contracts with (2) qualified vendors: Equitas Health, Inc. and Knupp & Watson & Wallman, Inc. for services for the period April 1, 2026 through September 29, 2026; to authorize the Board of Health to modify those contracts if portions of previously appropriated and encumbered funds are unused, and reallocate unused funds amongst the initial vendors without the need for additional legislation for Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Implementation Study grant program for the provision of services allowable under the grant; to authorize the expenditure of $183,000.00 from the Health Department Grants Fund to pay the costs thereof; and to declare an emergency. ($183,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Public Health has received funding from The University of Washington.
WHEREAS, in order to ensure continued services provisions under the program, it is necessary to enter into a contract with (2) qualified vendors: Equitas Health, Inc., Knupp & Watson & Wallman, Inc. for services; and
WHEREAS, the contract period is April 1, 2026 through September 29, 2026; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to allow the Board of Health to enter into and modify contracts with vendors that are identified by CPH as qualified to provide the required services and meet requirements for the Grant; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for the Board of Health to reallocate appropriated and encumbered unused funds by modifying existing contracts amongst the initial vendors identified in this ordinance to provide the required services that meet federal requirements for this grant funding without the need for additional legislation; 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 (2) qualified vendors: Equitas Health, Inc., Knupp & Watson & Wallman, Inc. to ensure the continued operation of the Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Implementation Study grant program to meet grant deliverables required by the grantor to avoid forfeiture of future funds, all 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 contracts for a total amount not to exceed $183,000.00 for Ending the Epidemic, for the period of April 1, 2026 through September 29, 2026, Equitas Health, Inc. and Knupp & Watson & Wallman, Inc.
SECTION 2. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized to modify those contracts if portions of previously appropriated and encumbered funds are unused, and reallocate unused funds by modifying existing contracts amongst the initial vendors that are identified in this ordinance; to provide services without the need for additional legislation, for services allowable under Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Implementation Study grant program, from The University of Washington.
SECTION 3. That to pay the cost of said contracts, the expenditure of $183,000.00, 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 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.