Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health (CPH) has been awarded the Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Implementation Study grant from pass through agency, University of Washington (UW); primary funding source originates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); approved via Ordinance 0002-2026.
This ordinance is needed to authorize two (2) contracts under the Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Implementation Study grant program. All contract terms included in this ordinance are from April 1, 2026 through September 29, 2026, with the following qualified vendors: Equitas Health, Inc., Knupp & Watson & Wallman, Inc. (KW2).
Equitas is a not for profit agency and is exempt from bidding according to bidding requirements of the City Code 329.30. The purpose of the contract is for delivery of HIV prevention services, including, but not limited to Resource Navigation and Client Transportation to support clients who are vulnerable to HIV acquisition. These services specifically require working with a Pharmacist and cannot be provided by existing city employees because CPH does not employ any Pharmacists.
KW2 was competitively bid through vendor services (RFQ029075) and Bonfire (Sexual Health Outreach Campaigns) in October 2024, according to bidding requirements of the City Code. The services incorporated in the contract are providing education and awareness of Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (DoxyPEP)for health care providers to increase persons prescribing DoxyPEP and for community members through social media campaigns to increase demand for DoxyPEP. These services cannot be provided by existing city employees.
This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to enter into initial contracts with qualified vendors, modify those contracts if portions of previously appropriated and encumbered funds are unused and reallocate unused funds amongst the initial vendors without the need for additional legislation.
Equitas Health, Inc. (EB...
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