Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health received funds for the HIV Prevention grant program from the Ohio Department of Health. Columbus Public Health will contract with Equitas Health for HIV Testing and Screening services to persons at highest risk of HIV infection at community based testing sites. All negatives that are at highest risk of HIV shall be referred to PrEP. All HIV positive cases shall be referred to medical care, as well as CPH's Prevention Services.
The HIV Prevention Program enables Columbus Public Health to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate HIV counseling and testing/referral; partner counseling; and health education/risk reduction behavior modification programs. Services are provided to residents of Franklin County and other regional counties, with special emphasis on men who have sex with men, individuals with high risk sexual contact, youth, and injection drug/substance users.
Services for this contract were advertised through the RFQ process (RFQ023021) in October 2022. This is year one of a five year contract. Equitas Health (Contract Compliance No. 31-1126780) will be awarded a contract for $342,984.00. This contractor is a nonprofit organization and exempt from contract compliance certification.
Emergency action is required to ensure the continued operation of the HIV Prevention grant program.
FISCAL IMPACT: This contract is entirely funded by a grant award from the Ohio Department of Health. This grant does not generate revenue nor require a city match.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into a not for profit services contract with Equitas Health for the provision of HIV Testing and Screening services for the period January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023; to authorize the expenditure of $342,984.00 from the Health Department Grants Fund to pay the costs thereof; and to declare an emergency. ($342,984.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Public Health has received funding from the Ohio...
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