Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Board of Health to modify and increase contracts for interpretation services for an amount not to exceed $52,445.00. Columbus Public Health has a need to provide interpretation and translation services for persons with limited English proficiency who receive public health services from Columbus Public Health. These services will be provided at Columbus Public Health’s facility located at 240 Parsons Avenue, and throughout the City of Columbus in conjunction with public health services when required. The contract period is from April 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019.
Columbus Public Health solicited requests for proposals on February 6, 2017, per RFQ004221. A committee comprised of Columbus Public Health staff reviewed and recommended Access 2 Interpreters as the lowest, responsive, responsible, and best bidder for in-person interpretation services. The contract period is from April 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019 with the option to renew for three additional one-year periods through March 31, 2022.
This ordinance will authorize contract modifications for a total amount not to exceed $52,445.00 for the following contractors:
PO112896 for Access to Interpreters from $150,000.00 to $186,000.00
PO106420 for Universe Translations from $15,000.00 to $19,645.00
PO106408 for Vocalink Inc. from $20,000.00 to $29,000.00
PO110212 for Ad Astra from $5,000.00 to $7,800.00
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this contract ($52,445.00) is budgeted within the Health Special Revenue Fund, Fund No. 2250.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to modify and increase existing contracts for interpretation services with the following vendors: Access 2 Interpreters, Universe Translations, Vacolink, Inc., Ad Astra; to authorize the expenditure of $52,445.00 from the Health Special Revenue Fund for said contracts; and to declare an emergency. ($52,445.00)
Body
WHEREAS, a need exists for interpretation and translation services for persons with limited English proficiency who receive services from Columbus Public Health; and,
WHEREAS, Columbus Public Health solicited requests for proposals for these needed services through RFQ004221 on the City’s vendor service portal on February 6, 2017; and,
WHEREAS, Columbus Public Health evaluated all bid proposals and recommended Access 2 Interpreters as the lowest, responsive, responsible, and best bidder according to the specifications for in-person interpretation services; and,
WHEREAS, Columbus Public Health contracts with multiple vendors for interpretation and translation services, including the following: Access 2 Interpreters, Universe Translations, Vacolink, Inc., Ad Astra; and,
WHEREAS, the term of these contracts is one year, from April 1, 2018, through March 31, 2019, with the option to renew for three additional one-year periods through March 31, 2022; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Health in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Board to modify the contracts for interpretation and translation services for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; Now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized to modify and increase contracts for interpretation services for the period of April 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019 with the following vendors: Access 2 Interpreters, Universe Translations, Vacolink, Inc., Ad Astra.
SECTION 2. That to pay the cost of said contracts, the expenditure of $52,445.00 is hereby authorized from the Health Special Revenue Fund, Fund No. 2250, Division No. 5001, Object Class 03, according to the ordinance attachment.
SECTION 3. That these contracts were awarded in accordance with the competitive bidding provisions of the City Code.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes necessary.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes necessary to ensure that this contract is properly accounted for and recorded accurately on the City’s financial reports.
SECTION 6. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.