Explanation
BACKGROUND: In 1984, the City responded to concerns raised by Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding potential exposures to employees at the City Trash Burning Power Plant. The City began testing employees at the Columbus Department of Health. In particular, the Occupational Clinic provided medical surveillance examinations, pre-placement examinations, immunizations, health and fitness assessments, clearance for respirator wear, assessment of workers' fitness for duty, consultation, hearing conservation training and audiometric testing.
In 2006, the Department of Health became the Columbus Public Health Department with a primary focus on monitoring community health status, identifying and addressing public health threats, enforcing laws that protect the public's health and providing services to prevent and control disease. In the face of this change and to provide focused and coordinated Occupational Safety and Health medical services in accordance with the federal Public Employment Risk Reduction Program (PERRP), OSHA and the state Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC), the City of Columbus shifted the operations of employee occupational safety and health medical services from the Public Health Department to the Human Resources Department This will allow for continued surveillance exams to City employees at risk and appropriate follow up; identify occupationally related disease or disability; assist in rehabilitation activities; determine fitness and suitability for assigned work; promote and maintain federal OSHA compliance; promote health, wellness and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease/injury; provide assistance in injury care activities and in rehabilitation activities; and services that will have educational and/or training programs promoting general health and safe work practices.
After receiving the requisite information from the Human Resources Department, the Purchasing Office advertised and solicited competitive bids in accordance with the Columbus City Code, Section 329. Any addendums to the bid were to be posted at least five (5) days prior to the bid closing date and time. An initial addendum was made to extend the bid closing date. Shortly thereafter, questions were submitted which required HR through the Purchasing Office to post the questions and responses as another addendum to the RFP. This addendum was inadvertently posted three (3) days prior to the closing date instead of the required five (5) days. As such, the bid had to be either cancelled or the competitive bid provision had to be waived. The Human Resources Department elected to waive competitive bidding and review all bids submitted.
The Human Resources Department established a Review Committee made up of persons from HR, Health, EBOCO, and the Division of Fire Medical Services, who completed a review of all proposals submitted to the City for Occupational Safety and Health medical services. The Human Resources Department has selected Mount Carmel Occupational Health and Wellness.
This ordinance is submitted to authorize and direct the Human Resources Director to enter in to contract for Occupational Safety and Health medical services for the City of Columbus with Mt. Carmel Occupational Health and Wellness, and to authorize the expenditure of $250,000.00 to be paid out of the Employee Benefits fund in the Human Resources Department.
Contract compliance number is 31-4379602.
FISCAL IMPACT: To enter into contract with Mount Carmel Occupational Health and Wellness to establish the maximum obligation liability of $250,000.00 for Occupational Safety and Health medical services from February 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010. Funding is available in the 2009 budget for this contract. This ordinance is an emergency measure.
Title
To authorize the Human Resources Director to enter into contract with Mount Carmel Occupational Health and Wellness to provide all eligible employees Occupational Safety and Health medical services from February 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010 and to authorize the expenditure of $250,000.00 from the Employee Benefits Fund, or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the costs of said contract, and to declare an emergency. ($250,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to enter into contract with Mount Carmel Occupational Health and Wellness to provide all eligible employees Occupational Safety and Health medical services from February 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Mount Carmel Occupational Health and Wellness has indicated its intention to use MBEs and FBEs and report the dollar amounts quarterly; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of up to $250,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay contract costs for Occupational Safety and Health medical services; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to enter into a contract and to pay the associated contract costs to avoid interruption in necessary services for the preservation of public health, peace, property, safety and welfare;
Now, Therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Human Resources Director is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Mount Carmel Occupational Health and Wellness to provide Occupational Safety and Health Medical Services and related Education and Wellness Programs for City employees to all eligible employees from February 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of up to $250,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary for coverage from the Employee Benefits Fund 502, Department of Human Resources is hereby authorized and directed. Department of Human Resources No. 46-01, OL 1 3, OL3 3363, OCA 460004, Subfund 208, $250,000.00.
See attachment: 2009 Occupational Clinic Appropriation Attachment
SECTION 3. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is 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.