Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes a purchase order in the total amount of $772,869.44 for two (2) Farber Specialty Vehicles mobile health clinic vehicles from an existing State Term Schedule for the Division of Fire. The COVID-19 Pandemic has exposed the social inequalities and healthcare disparities that exist in our minority and vulnerable communities. Significant inequities regarding access to a regular source of healthcare, gaps in preventative services, and lack of health insurance coverage have resulted in higher rates of disease spread, related morbidity, hospitalization, and mortality of COVID-19 among low-income and minority populations. The poor health outcomes are the symptoms of a much greater cause that is being influenced by the social determinates of health which has placed a greater demand on EMS services provided by the Columbus Division of Fire. Additionally, the disruption of health care services and decreased availability of in-person health assessments has resulted in EMS encountering patients who are presenting with more severe symptoms and advanced stages of disease.
Public Safety & the Division of Fire will increase access to COVID-19 testing, prevention and linkage to treatment resources through targeted patient-centered outreach and The HOME (Health One Mobile Equality) mobile health clinics which will enhance and improve EMS response to the pandemic. Using a centralized multi-disciplinary approach to address healthcare disparities and social inequities, associated with the impact of COVID-19. Utilizing and capitalizing upon real-time EMS data and COVID-19 data provided by public health epidemiologists, HOME will create a centralized system of access for COVID testing, disease prevention, healthcare management, resource navigation, and social services coordination to the most vulnerable residents and geographical areas in Columbus. The HOME mobile clinics will provide a new and innovative EMS response incorporating the recommended strategies and guidance provided by the CDC COVID-19 Response Health Equity Strategy and the COVID-19 Ohio Minority Health Strike Force.
HOME will identify at-risk individuals and areas using 911 CAD data, EMS patient care reports, and Public Health data that indicate a high suspicion or confirmation of COVID-19 related symptoms from EMS runs that concluded with a refusal of transport or refusal for care. Specialized multi-discipline outreach teams will be dispatched, focusing on engaging these targeted individuals for additional evaluation of COVID, related health diseases, and social determinants of health. The specialized teams consisting of a paramedic and Licensed Social Worker operate within the Columbus Division of Fire and are called the SPARC Team (Specialized Program Assessing Resource Connectivity). Teams will provide immediate access to COVID testing, vaccinations (COVID and influenza when available), prevention resources, health assessments and other appropriate resources through the HOME (Health One Mobile Equality) mobile health clinics and community providers.
The Division of Fire will deploy the HOME mobile health clinics to provide real time services for residents of Columbus and will partner with the City of Columbus Department of Public Health to identify COVID-19 clusters and deploy to the vulnerable areas of the city. The HOME mobile community clinic will include capabilities to provide COVID-19 testing, antibody testing, health examinations, health literacy education, PPE distribution, insurance enrollment and social service resource coordination. The mobile community clinics will include paramedics, healthcare clinicians, social workers, community health workers, and representatives from Public Health.
Bid Information: The Division of Fire is requesting a waiver of competitive bidding requirements of the City Code for this purchase. While these purchases will be made from the existing State of Ohio Term Contract STS233/#800858 with Farber Specialty Vehicles, recent changes to bidding requirements cannot be fulfilled in a timely fashion for this custom apparatus and thus a waiver of bidding is necessary.
Contract Compliance: Farber Specialty Vehicles FID #412043544 / Vendor #007894
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested to purchase these mobile health clinic vehicles as soon as possible to provide improved health services during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $772,869.44 from the CARES Act Fund to purchase vehicles to be used as mobile health clinics, specifically for the response to the COVID-19 virus.
Title
To authorize the Finance and Management Director to issue a purchase order to Farber Specialty Vehicles for the purchase of two (2) mobile health clinic vehicles for the Division of Fire; to waive the competitive provisions of the Columbus City Codes, Chapter 329; to authorize the expenditure of $772,869.44 from the CARES Act Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($772,869.44)
Body
WHEREAS, expenditure of CARES Act funding is necessary to address changes required in the ongoing emergency medical services environment of the Division of Fire in order to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus; and,
WHEREAS, such expenditure of funds has not been previously accounted for in the 2020 Budget; and,
WHEREAS, there is a need for the Fire Division to purchase two (2) mobile health clinic vehicles for use in daily COVID-19 response and mitigation operations; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Division of Fire, Department of Public Safety, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Finance and Management Director to issue a purchase order to Farber Specialty Vehicles in order to maintain adequate levels of such supplies, all 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 Director of Finance and Management be and is hereby authorized to issue a purchase order to Farber Specialty Vehicles for the purchase of two (2) mobile health clinic vehicles for the Division of Fire.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $772,869.44, or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized from the CARES Act Fund, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 as necessary.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That this Council finds it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Code, Chapter 329, relating to the aforementioned purchase.
SECTION 6. That for the 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.