Explanation
BACKGROUND:
The City of Columbus, Columbus Public Health, received funding for the Ryan White Part A COVID Response Grant Program from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The purpose of this grant is to provide one-time funding to support preventing, preparing for, and responding to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) for persons with HIV or AIDS living in Central Ohio (Franklin, Licking, Delaware, Morrow, Union, Madison, Pickaway, and Fairfield counties).
This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to enter into a contract with Equitas Health, FEID#31-1126780, in the amount of $302,273.00 to provide HIV-related housing services and emergency financial assistance, and any other service allowable under the grant for the period of April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021. As provided for in Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-20-17 - Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impact by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), HRSA, and the City, authorize the subrecipient to incur pre-award costs prior to the effective date of a Federal award dating back to January 20, 2020.
CPH is requesting a waiver of competitive bidding as part of City Code Chapter 329 to immediately enter into contract with Equitas Health to provide Housing Services and Emergency financial Assistance to persons living with HIV or AIDS in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency in order to ensure that services are immediately available to eligible persons living with HIV/AIDS and to ensure timely payment to providers.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance will authorize one ACPO in the amount of $302,273.00 to encumber funds using available grant appropriations for a contract with Equitas Health.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into a contract with Equitas Health for the Ryan White Part A COVID Response Grant Program for the provision of services allowable under the grant for persons with HIV or AIDS in central Ohio; to authorize the expenditure of $302,273.00 from the Health Department Grants Fund to pay the costs thereof; to waive competitive bidding of City Code Chapter 329; and to declare an emergency ($302,273.00).
Body
WHEREAS, the city received funding for the Ryan White Part A COVID Response Grant Program (the Grant) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which requires Columbus Public Health (CPH) to assure quality medical care to eligible persons living with HIV or AIDS in Central Ohio; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to allow the Board of Health to enter into contract for services; and,
WHEREAS, $302,273.00 in funds are needed for the provision of HIV-related housing services and emergency financial assistance, and any other service allowable under the Grant; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of Health will enter into a contract with Equitas Health, who will provide HIV-related services allowable by the Grant; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the city to waive the competitive bidding provisions of City Code Chapter 329; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contracts in order to continue services without interruption 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 enter into contract with Equitas Health for a total amount not to exceed $302,273.00 for HIV-related services to persons with HIV or AIDS in central Ohio, for the period of April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021.
SECTION 2. That to pay the cost of said contracts, the expenditure of $302,273.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from the Health Department Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, object class 03 per the attached accounting document.
SECTION 3. That Council finds it in the City’s best interest to waive the competitive bidding provisions of City Code Chapter 329.
SECTION 4. 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.