District Of Columbia Council Bill PR260309

District Of Columbia 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/16/25
• Passed: 9/17/25

Caption

Modification Nos. 1, 2, and 3 to Contract NFPHC-OPS-23-C-00059 between the Not-for-Profit Hospital Corporation and Morrison Management Specialists, Inc. Approval and Payment Authorization Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

Summary

This emergency resolution declares that immediate Council action is needed to approve three modifications to Contract No. NFPHC-OPS-23-C-00059 between the District’s Not-for-Profit Hospital Corporation (United Medical Center) and Morrison Management Specialists, Inc. The contract covers food and nutrition management services for the hospital. The resolution authorizes payment for services already received and to be received under the modified contract. The measure explains that the original base-year contract was previously approved, and that Modification No. 1 covered part of option year one. Modification No. 2 extended the contract for a short period because the opening of Cedar Hill was delayed, and Modification No. 3 accounts for higher-than-expected costs caused by inflation and greater utilization. Together, the modifications raise the retroactive value of option year one to $1,144,733, and the resolution is intended to ensure Morrison can be paid for services that exceeded $1 million in value.

Impact

The resolution does not create a new regulatory program, but it does affect District procurement and payment authority by retroactively approving contract modifications and authorizing payment under them. It specifically validates continued food service operations at United Medical Center and permits the District to pay Morrison Management Specialists for services provided during the extended contract period. In practical terms, it prevents a funding and authorization gap for hospital nutrition services and confirms Council approval for contract amounts that exceeded the threshold requiring legislative action.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment appears supportive and pragmatic, with the Council acting unanimously in favor of the resolution on final reading. The emergency posture suggests the bill was viewed as necessary to avoid disruption in essential hospital services and to resolve a timing problem caused by administrative delays and the Council’s summer recess. The discussion reflected urgency rather than controversy, centered on ensuring the hospital could continue operating and that the vendor could be paid.

Contention

The main issues were procedural and fiscal rather than ideological. One point of concern was that the contract modifications were submitted late because Morrison did not obtain its Certificate of Clean Hands until July 8, 2025, which delayed Council consideration. Another was the contract’s over-budget status, attributed to inflation and higher utilization, which increased costs beyond the original estimate. The need for retroactive approval and payment authorization was the central practical concern, but the available record shows no recorded opposition in the final vote.