Title
Enter into Contract with 2020 COVID-19 Recovery Consultants, LLC for Public Health Advisory Services (Ordinance S-48069)
Description
Request authorization for the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into contract with 2020 COVID-19 Recovery Consultants, LLC to provide professional consulting services on the City of Phoenix's public health efforts. The 2020 COVID-19 Recovery Consultants will advise the City with technical advice on reopening City facilities, assist staff in redesigning workspaces and provide the most up-to-date guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The aggregate value of this contract shall not exceed $90,000. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
The City Council declared a local emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 20, 2020. On March 27, 2020, the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law to address the economic decline resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. The City of Phoenix's CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) allocation was $293 million to support the City's pandemic response and assist with economic recovery efforts. On May 5, 2020, the City Council approved the City's Coronavirus Relief Fund Strategic Plan which included a $75 million allocation for city operations, a $75 million allocation for community investment and $143 million reserved for public safety costs. Furthermore, the City Council allocated $5 million of the $75 million for city operations to fund medical and public safety measures.
On June 8, 2021 City Council approved the proposed $198 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Strategic Plan which includes three focus areas to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: Community Investment, City Operations, and Contingency. In that plan, $5 million was allocated to continue COVID-19 community testing and vaccine distribution. In collaboration with departments, the Phoenix Fire Department and Public Works Department staff, with community partners, have organized and promoted testing services at no costs to residents in underserved areas disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. By September, 220 Blitz Testing events were coordinated with eight health care providers who provided 42,000 tests. These events now include vaccination services.
Phoenix was the first Arizona municipal organization to provide COVID-19 mobile testing vans to underserved communities. The two vans operate five days a week at locations across the City including parks, community centers, schools, grocery stores, libraries, and churches. By September, Public Works provided approximately 146,000 COVID-19 tests through the mobile vans at nearly 360 events. Additionally, Phoenix Fire has assisted with COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. By September, the Baby Shots program and pop-up vaccination clinics have administered over 200,000 COVID-19 vaccinations and provided nearly 50,000 COVID-19 tests.
The 2021-22 budget includes funding for public health advisors to review mitigation efforts for different departments and advise on reopening City facilities and redesigning workspaces as well as provide information on CDC guidance.
Contract Term
The initial contract term will be for six months, with the option to extend monthly up to six months.
Financial Impact
The aggregate value of this contract shall not exceed $90,000. Funding is available in the City Manager's budget.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the City Manager's Office.