Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to enter into an initial contract with qualified vendor, LifeCare Alliance, for the provision of food bank and home delivered meals for eligible Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program recipients via both carryover and formula funds. The purpose of this contract is to provide food items (frozen/hot/cold/fresh/grocery) to Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program recipients. The contract period with this vendor is October 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027 in an amount not to exceed $200,954.73.
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 2850-2025. 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 infection.
Throughout the fiscal year, Columbus Public Health monitors spending by all Ryan White Part A HIV Care Grant providers and makes necessary adjustments for service reallocation, per grant service category to service clients in Central Ohio. These said services are measured by need in the community, in conjunction with Ryan White Part A HIV Care Grant initiatives and program capacity. Any services or goods provided in concurrence with this contract are based on a client service count to assist Columbus Public Health in meeting grant deliverables outlined by grantor. Columbus Public Health does not have the resources to execute this Ryan White service grant service category internally at this time.
Pursuant to Columbus City Code Chapter 329, food and non-alcoholic beverage expenditures are authorized as standard operating costs for non-profits supporting vulnerable communities. These services must comply with all current federal, state, and local health codes and laws, per scope of services with costs capped at $10 per meal. Additionally, under Section 329.30, Life Care Alliance is exempt from municipal bidding requirements due to its not-for-profit status.
LifeCare Alliance CC-006078: $200,954.73
This emergency ordinance ensures uninterrupted medical care for eligible individuals living with HIV/AIDS and guarantees timely payments to healthcare providers. This ordinance in part utilizes carryover funds from the 2025 unobligated balance, which must be spent within the current grant year to avoid reallocation.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This contract will entered into by Columbus Public Health with LifeCare Alliance, which meets federal requirements related to services allowable under the Ryan White Part A HIV Care Grant Program as well as comply with bidding requirements of the City Code. This ordinance will authorize one ACPO in the amount of $200,954.73 to encumber funds using available grant appropriations for contracts with vendors.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into a contract with LifeCare Alliance 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 the expenditure of $200,954.73 from the Health Department Grants Fund to pay the costs thereof; to authorize the payment of reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses; and to declare an emergency. ($200,954.73)
Body
WHEREAS, the city 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), which requires Columbus Public Health (CPH) to assure quality medical care to eligible persons living with HIV or AIDS in Central Ohio; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to allow the Board of Health to enter into a contract for services; and,
WHEREAS, $200,954.73 in additional funds are needed for the continued provision of HIV-related support services and any other service allowable under the Grant for a sum total of contracts not to exceed $200,954.73; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of Health will contract with LifeCare Alliance who will provide supporting HIV-related services to meet all grant deliverables required by the Grant; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contracts in order to continue services without interruption, because this ordinance partly utilizes carryover funds from 2025, which must be spent within the current grant year, 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 a contract with LifeCare Alliance for a total amount not to exceed $200,954.73 for HIV-related support services to persons with HIV or AIDS in central Ohio, for the period of October 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027.
SECTION 2. That to pay the cost of said contract, the expenditure of $200,954.73, 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, and that any and all of said expenditure may be used toward the procurement of food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses, so long as each meal costs no more than ten dollars ($10.00), which Council finds and declares to be for a proper public purpose.
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.