Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to enter into (2) initial contracts with qualified vendors, AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Equitas Health. AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Equitas Health will be funded for the delivery of HIV prevention services allowable under the FY25 HIV Prevention grant, contingent on underlying Ordinance 1240-2025. These services include, but not limited to screenings for HIV, education on risk reduction, and referrals to PrEP or ART medications. The contract period is from June 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $423,882.00.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Equitas Health are not-for-profit agencies and are exempt from bidding according to bidding requirements of the City Code 329.30. These selected vendors have HIV specific programming and are currently serving priority populations of the grant. Contract price points are based on agency staffing projections, individual client counts, and other estimated direct costs ancillary to the HIV Prevention grant program.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation CC-010938: $181,695.00
Equitas Health CC-004721: $242,187.00
Total Amount: $423,882.00
Emergency action is required to ensure the continued operation of HIV Prevention grant program from the Ohio Department of Health 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 $423,882.00 to encumber funds using available grant appropriations for contracts with vendors. These subrecipient agreements are funded entirely by a grant award from the HIV Prevention Grant Program.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into subrecipient agreements with (2) qualified vendors: AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Equitas Health for HIV Prevention services for the period June 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026; to authorize the expenditure of $423,882.00 from the Health Department Grants Fund to pay the costs thereof; and to declare an emergency. ($423,882.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Public Health has received funding from The Ohio Department of Health.
WHEREAS, in order to ensure continued services provisions under the program (contingent on underlying Ordinance 1240-2025), it is necessary to enter into a contract with (2) qualified vendors: AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Equitas Health; and
WHEREAS, the contract period is June 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026; 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: AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Equitas Health to ensure the continued operation of the HIV Prevention grant program 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 subrecipient agreements with: AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Equitas Health for HIV testing services under the HIV Prevention grant program (contingent on underlying Ordinance 1240-2025), for the period of June 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026.
SECTION 2. That to pay the cost of said contract, the expenditure of $423,882.00 is hereby authorized from the Health Department Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, Department No. 50, Division 5001, per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
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.