Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to modify an existing contract with Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio to provide the delivery of Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) services, underlying Ordinance 0446-2024. Columbus Public Health has been awarded grant funding originating from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), for the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) Grant Program, referenced in Ordinance 0441-2024.
These EHE services for this modification include, but not limited to, Housing Services, Emergency Financial Assistance, and Client Transportation to achieve viral suppression for individuals living with HIV. The contract period for this contract modification is March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025 in an amount not to exceed $275,000.00 for a new total contract amount of $400,000.00.
Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio (CC-006115) is a not for profit agency and is exempt from bidding according to bidding requirements of the City Code 329.30. The original contract was set at a partial price point due a partial notice of award being awarded at the start of the grant cycle. This contractor has an ancillary client specific housing first program model that is currently under contract aligns and operates with EHE grant initiatives. As a result, due to the one-year grant cycle this contract was not awarded through other procurement processes specified in chapter 329.09. The price point for all services included in this modification is determined by anticipated client services with enrolled clients in the program.
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency in order to ensure that quality Ending the Epidemic (EHE) services continue to be available to eligible EHE clients, to ensure timely payment to providers, and for Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio to be able to continue offering Ending the HIV Epidemic services to their existing work which aligns with grant deliverables.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This contract is fully funded by the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) grant program and does not generate any revenue or require a city match.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to modify an existing contract with Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio for the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) grant program for the provision of services allowable under the grant for eligible clients for the period March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025; to authorize the expenditure of $275,000.00 from the Health Department Grants Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($275,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Board of Health has a need to modify an existing contract with Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio for the provision of services allowable under the grant for eligible EHE clients for the period of March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio has the expertise; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Board of Health to modify a contract with Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio in order to ensure continuity of services for Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) clients, 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 modification with Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio, in an amount not to exceed $275,000.00, for a new total contract amount of $400,000.00, for Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) related services for eligible EHE Clients, for the period of March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025.
SECTION 2. That to pay the cost of said contract, the expenditure of $275,000.00, 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 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 necessary to ensure that this contract is properly accounted for and recorded accurately on the city's financial records.
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.