City of Columbus - File #: 2078-2023

• File #: 2078-2023
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 7/3/2023
• In control: Health & Human Services Committee
• On agenda: 10/9/2023
• Final action: 10/12/2023
• Title: To authorize and direct the Board of Health to accept a grant from the Ohio Department of Health for the COVID-19 Enhanced Operations Subgrant Program in the amount of $2,109,748.00; to authorize the appropriation of $2,109,748.00 to the Health Department within the Health Department Grants Fund; to enter into a service contract with Emocha Mobile Health Inc for contact tracing services; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes; to authorize the expenditure of $1,136,932.00 from the Health Department Grants Fund for said contract; and to declare an emergency. ($2,109,748.00)

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
10/12/2023	1	CITY CLERK	Attest
10/11/2023	1	MAYOR	Signed
10/9/2023	1	COUNCIL PRESIDENT	Signed
10/9/2023	1	Columbus City Council	Approved	Pass

Explanation

BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health (CPH) has been awarded a grant from the Ohio Department of Health originating from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This ordinance is needed to accept and appropriate $2,109,748.00 in grant monies to fund the COVID-19 Enhanced Operations Subgrant Program for the period of August 1, 2023 through July 31, 2024.

The purpose of this grant is to make enhancements to COVID-19 vaccine operations, COVID-19 infection prevention and control activities, and the transition of grant funded COVID-19 contact tracing activities to the Ohio Department of Health’s contracted service.

This ordinance also authorizes the Board of Health to enter into service contract for the period of August 1, 2023 through July 31, 2024 with Emocha Mobile Health Inc for contact tracing services for infectious diseases including but not limited to COVID-19 and Measles in an amount not to exceed $1,136,932.00.

The CPH Infectious Disease and Investigation Program has utilized this software since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and relies on consistency in services and data reporting needed to maintain the deliverables of the COVID-19 Enhanced Operations grant. There is an immediate need for the continuation of contract tracing services to avoid disruption of disease prevention for the public safety. CPH is requesting that the competitive bidding provisions outlined in Chapter 329.18 of the Columbus City Code be waived for this contract.

Emocha contract compliance number is CC-021140.

Emergency action is requested due to the immediate need to bolster the emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic, conducting timely contact tracing efforts and preventative measures for infectious diseases, and to avoid forfeiture of the grant.

FISCAL IMPACT: The grant program award ($2,109,748.00) is fully funded by the Ohio Department of Health and does not generate revenue. The contract with Emocha ($1,136,932.00) is entirely funded ...