Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Columbus Health Department was awarded $1,641,923 in grant monies from the
Ohio Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control for the 2007 Public Health Infrastructure program.
Of this award, the Franklin County Board of Health received a $480,500 contract. The contract was modified
and increased $28,631 for pandemic flu planning services for a total contract amount of $509,131 in April
2007. This ordinance is needed to modify a contract with the Franklin County Board of Health for $15,000 for
the time period ending August 30, 2007. This contract modification will fund a Health Alert Network that will
benefit the entire central Ohio area.
Why couldn't the need for the additional services be foreseen when the contract was originally awarded? The National Notification Network was demonstrated to us very recently and meets the deliverables requirement of the grant with respect to notifying key community groups in the event of a public health outbreak, e.g., hospitals, schools, etc. This system gives us the ability to contact these groups to get health alert news out immediately.
Why would it not be in the City's best interest to have the additional contract requirement awarded through competitive bidding? The contract is being awarded in accordance with the requirements of the Ohio Department of Health, i.e., it is population based and the Franklin County Board of Health is specified by the Ohio Department of Health to receive these monies.
How was the price for the additional goods or services determined? Columbus Health Department personnel along with Franklin County Board of Health personnel determined the dollars to be allocated in the central Ohio region to fund the health alert network. The Ohio Department of Health recently approved the budget revision to provide the funding.
What is the additional amount to be expended under the modification?
The contract is to be modified as follows:
...
Click here for full text