Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Board of Health to modify, by increasing and extending, the following contract for the promotion of syphilis screening and treatment among high risk communities in Columbus, Ohio.
Syphilis and HIV are highly concentrated epidemics among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). In Central Ohio, men with syphilis are twice as likely to be a man who has sex with men than a heterosexual man. And, the rates of syphilis are higher among people living with HIV, especially MSM with HIV. Thus, preventing syphilis and HIV requires a collaborative approach. Every person with HIV should be screening for syphilis, and every new syphilis diagnosis should be screened for HIV. In fact, treating syphilis is a key intervention for HIV prevention.
Knupp & Watson & Wallman (KW2) - Ordinance 1591-2022 approved the contract in the amount of $123,410.00 for a period of June 1, 2022 through July 31, 2022. This ordinance will increase said contract by $80,000.00 for a new contract total of $203,410.00 as well as extend the current contract through December 31, 2022.
Solicitation for the provision of outreach services to persons living with HIV or at significant risk of contracting HIV in Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Morrow, Pickaway and Union Counties was posted under RFQ013951. KW2 was awarded for time period of March 1, 2020 through February 28, 2023.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This expense is funded by the State Health Subsidy Grant. This program does not generate any revenue or require a City Match.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to modify, by extending and increasing, an existing contract with Knupp & Watson & Wallman for media services; to authorize the expenditure of $80,000.00 from the Health Department Grants Fund for said contract, and to declare an emergency. ($80,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, a need exists for the promotion of syphilis screening and treatment among high risk communities in Columbus, Ohio through December 31, 2022; and,
WHEREAS, expenditures from Health Department Grants Fund to provide continued services necessary to address increased needs caused by the increase number of syphilis cases in Columbus, Ohio; 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 contract with Knupp & Watson & Wallman (KW2) for the promotion of syphilis screening due to the immediate nature of such need, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; and 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, by increasing and extending, the contract with Knupp & Watson & Wallman (KW2) for media services related to the promotion of syphilis screening by $80,000.00 in an amount not to exceed $203,410.00 through December 31, 2022.
SECTION 2. 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 3. 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 4. That the expenditure of $80,000.00 is hereby authorized from the Health Department Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, Department of Health, Division No. 5001, in object class 03 - Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. 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.