Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to enter into initial contract with qualified vendor, Knupp & Watson & Wallman Inc (KW2), allowable under the 2026-2027 Implementing Enhanced HIV Prevention and Surveillance for Health Departments to End the HIV Epidemic in Ohio grant program (ODH EHE), from pass through agency, The Ohio Department of Health (approved via ORD 1479-2026). All contract terms included in this ordinance are from September 15, 2026 through May 31, 2027.
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 RFP covers a 36-month period from March 1, 2025 to February 28, 2028.
The services in this contract are for providing sexual health outreach campaign services relevant to the 2026-2027 ODH EHE grant.
Under the terms of the grant, this grant period is a twelve-month grant cycle, and funds must be used during the grant period or they are forfeited. Previously, CPH has reallocated unused funds from vendors through appropriate contract modifications. These modifications oftentimes required additional legislation. The listed vendors operate based on program staffing, varying client counts, and thus often leaving unspent funds. The Implementing Enhanced HIV Prevention and Surveillance for Health Departments to End the HIV Epidemic in Ohio grant program is an ancillary grant with five specific pillars: Diagnose, Treat, Prevent, Outbreak Response, and Community Engagement, to the Ending the HIV Epidemic grant program federally funded with HRSA. These pillars, specifically the prevention pillar can supplement HIV services for individuals within the priority population and allow needed services to be delivered to individuals at an elevated risk of acquiring HIV. As a result, 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.
Knupp & Watson & Wallman Inc (KW2): $100,000.00
Total Amount: $100,000.00
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance will authorize one ACPO in the amount of $100,000.00 to encumber funds using available grant appropriations for contracts with vendors. These contracts are funded entirely by a grant award from the 2026-2027 Implementing Enhanced HIV Prevention and Surveillance for Health Departments to End the HIV Epidemic in Ohio grant program.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into contract with qualified vendor: Knupp & Watson & Wallman Inc for EHE services for the period September 15, 2026 through May 31, 2027; 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 2026-2027 Implementing Enhanced HIV Prevention and Surveillance for Health Departments to End the HIV Epidemic in Ohio grant program for the provision of services allowable under the grant; to authorize the expenditure of $100,000.00 from the Health Department Grants Fund to pay the costs thereof. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Public Health has received funding from The Ohio Department of Health; and
WHEREAS, in order to ensure continued services provisions under the program, it is necessary to enter into a contract with qualified vendor: Knupp & Watson & Wallman Inc for EHE services; and
WHEREAS, the contract period is September 15, 2026 through May 31, 2027; 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 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 $100,000.00 for Ending the Epidemic, for the period of September 15, 2026 through May 31, 2027, 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 Ending the HIV Epidemic services without the need for additional legislation, for services allowable under 2026-2027 Implementing Enhanced HIV Prevention and Surveillance for Health Departments to End the HIV Epidemic in Ohio grant program, from The Ohio Department of Health.
SECTION 3. That to pay the cost of said contracts, the expenditure of $100,000.00, 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 this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.