Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Board of Health to enter into, and/or modify, extend and increase, the following contracts for continued COVID-19 media campaigns, contact tracing, testing and vaccination services:
The Saunders Group - for vaccine awareness media services, through the period of June 30, 2021, in an amount not to exceed $50,000.00.
Ohio Expositions Commission - Ordinance 2500-2020, approved November 16, 2020, for space rental services, through the period of April 30, 2021, by $409,500.00, in an amount not to exceed $884,250.00.
OSU Hospitals - Ordinance 1994-2020, approved September 24, 2020, for COVID-19 testing services, through the period of April 30, 2021. ($0)
OSU College of Public Health - Ordinance 1995-2020, approved September 17, 2020, for COVID-19 contact tracing services, through the period of April 30, 2021. ($0)
NetSteady Communications - Ordinance 2178-2020, approved October 15, 2020, for network services for the COVID-19 space rental site, through the period of April 30, 2021, by $67,860.00, in an amount not to exceed $140,400.00.
Emocha Mobile Health - Ordinance 1671-2020, approved July 27, 2020, for contact tracing and investigation services, through the period of June 30, 2021, by $190,199.00, in an amount not to exceed $1,073,999.00.
Due to the immediate nature of the need for contact tracing services, CPH is requesting the waiver of the provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329 from the Director of the Division of Finance and Management following procedures set forth under the Mayor’s Executive Order 2020-01 “Declaration of State of Emergency”.
Emergency action is requested due to the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and the signed Mayor’s Emergency Letter to begin these contracts immediately.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for these contracts is budgeted within the Health Department Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251 and the CARES Act Fund, Fund No. 2207.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into contract with The Saunders Group, and/or to modify, extend and increase existing, contracts with Ohio Expositions Commission, OSU Hospitals, OSU College of Public Health, NetSteady Communications and Emocha Mobile Health for continued COVID-19 media campaigns, contact tracing, testing and vaccination services; to authorize the expenditure of $717,559.00 from the Health Department Grants Fund for said contracts; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of City Code; and to declare an emergency. ($717,559.00)
Body
WHEREAS, a need exists for continued COVID-19 contact tracing, testing and vaccination services; and,
WHEREAS, expenditures from Health Department Grants Fund to provide continued contact tracing, testing and vaccination services is necessary to address increased needs caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency; 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 enter into, or modify, contracts for contact tracing, testing and vaccination services for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; and
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized enter into contract with The Saunders Group and to modify, extend and increase the contracts with Ohio Expositions Commission, OSU Hospitals, OSU College of Public Health, NetSteady Communications and Emocha Mobile Health for contact tracing, testing and vaccination services for the COVID-19 pandemic response.
SECTION 2. That to pay the cost of said contracts, the expenditure of $717,559.00 is hereby authorized from the Health Department Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, and the CARES Act Fund, Fund No. 2207, Division No. 5001, Object Class 03, according to the ordinance attachment.
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 necessary.
SECTION 4. 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 5. That this Council finds it in the City's best interests to waive the competitive bidding requirements of City Code.
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.