Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health (CPH) provides TB skin testing for patients of the Ben Franklin Tuberculosis Control program. The Health Department uses the Quantiferon Blood Assay (QFT) screening test to screen patients for Tuberculosis. Qiagen, Inc. has provided CPH with the software and instrumentation necessary to perform these tests. Changes to the testing methodology could result in delayed and inconsistent laboratory results. In addition, new instrumentation would have to be brought in house, new training for staff, new protocols and procedures would need to be rewritten and validation studies would need to be performed. This process would have a significant impact on our clients. This vendor has patented the test kits thus being the only vendor allowed to distribute them. Utilizing another vendor would have a long term effort resulting in unnecessary development costs and therefore, it is in the best interest of the City to waive competitive bidding. This ordinance authorizes the Director of Finance and Management to establish a purchase order with Qiagen, Inc., for QFT blood test kits in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00.
Qiagen, Inc.’s contract compliance number is 954141306, which is effective through April, 2017.
Emergency action is requested to ensure a sufficient supply of TB screening test kits for patients.
FISCAL IMPACT: All expenditures from this contract will be fully reimbursed from funds in the TB Prevention/Control Special Purpose Fund. This ordinance is contingent on Ordinance No. 0062-2016.
Title
To authorize the Director of Finance and Management to establish a purchase order with Qiagen, Inc., for the purchase of Quantiferon Blood Assay (QFT) screening test kits for Columbus Public Health’s Ben Franklin Tuberculosis Control Program; to authorize the expenditure of $25,000.00 from the TB Prevention/Control Special Purpose Fund; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of City Code; and to declare an e...
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