Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health received additional grant carryover funds for the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) grant program, referenced in Ordinance No. 0151-2025. The Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) grant program is funded from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), with funds originating from the Department of Health and Human Services. Columbus Public Health will contract with Knupp & Watson & Wallman, Inc. (KW2) to provide an advertising campaign with targeted outreach and awareness.
The City of Columbus’s Sexual Health Promotion Division provides sexual transmitted infections prevention services, including HIV and other STI screening, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) education and referral, linkage to care for persons with HIV and/or an STI, and retention in HIV care. Columbus Public Health desires to conduct outreach to build awareness and provide education regarding the importance of medical care and viral suppression, screening for persons at risk of HIV and making referrals for PrEP. The term of the contract is October 1, 2025 through February 28, 2026.
These services were competitively bid through vendor services (RFQ029075) and Bonfire (Sexual Health Outreach Campaigns) in October 2024, according to bidding requirements of the City Code.
Emergency action is required to ensure the continued operation of the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) grant program. This is necessary to meet grant deliverables required by grantor and avoid risk of forfeiture of future funds.
FISCAL IMPACT: This contract is entirely funded by a grant award from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This grant does not generate revenue nor require a city match.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into a contract with Knupp & Watson & Wallman, Inc. for the provision of a HIV awareness and outreach targeted media campaign for the period of October 1, 2025 through February 28, 2026; to authorize the expenditure of $5...
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