Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to modify three existing contracts for language services at Columbus Public Health in an amount not to exceed $100,000.00 for the following vendors to provide language services, which includes document translation, in-person interpretation, telephone interpretation, and video interpretation. These services will be provided at Columbus Public Health, located at 240 Parsons Avenue, and/or within the communities served by Columbus Public Health staff. The three contracts to be modified are as follows:
Access 2 Interpreters LLC - CC010229: $200,000.00
Effectiff LLC - CC041262: $80,000.00
Sign Language USA Inc - CC02467: $88,000.00
TOTAL CONTRACTS: $368,000.00
The contracts were authorized by Ordinance 0282-2024. The contract period for each contract is from April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025.
Cost for interpretation and translations have increased as a direct result of the volume of customer requests. Additionally, there has been a substantial increase in languages with higher interpretation costs. This is supported by immigration trends and the increase in the number of language service appointments. Although the original amounted funded was limited by budgetary constraints, an unforeseen year-over-year increase in customer requests and significant increase in languages with higher interpretation costs over the first three months of the contract term has necessitated additional funding.
In order to maximize use of funds and avoid termination of services for our clientele, CPH is requesting flexibility in the amount to modify each of the three language contracts. Therefore, this ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to modify the three aforementioned contracts and freely allocate the $100,000.00 requested funds amongst the contracts based on projected use and without the need for additional legislation.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires recipients of Federal financi...
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