University of the District of Columbia Change Order No. 2 to Contract No. GF 2021-C-0021 with Consys Inc Approval and Payment Authorization Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025
Summary
This emergency resolution authorizes the District of Columbia Council to approve and pay Change Order No. 2 to Contract No. GF-2021-C-0021 between the University of the District of Columbia and Consys, Inc. The change order covers additional construction services for the University’s Academic Commons project, specifically the relocation of the Learning Resources Division and Center for Advanced Learning (LRD & CAL), and totals $2,070,224.86.
The measure is retroactive in nature: it seeks Council approval after the University had already incurred the additional costs and failed to transmit the change order to the Council in time. The resolution states that emergency approval is needed so the contractor can be paid for the requested work and to reduce potential legal risk to the University. It takes effect immediately upon adoption.
Impact
The resolution affects procurement and contract approval procedures for the University of the District of Columbia by authorizing payment for a previously unapproved contract modification. It does not create a new substantive program or amend a general statute, but it does validate a specific expenditure and retroactively approves a change order tied to an existing construction contract. The practical effect is to permit the University to pay Consys, Inc. for additional construction services and to regularize the contract record under District law.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been viewed favorably and without controversy in the Council. It passed final reading unanimously, 12-0, indicating broad support for authorizing payment and resolving the procedural defect in the contract approval process. The emergency posture suggests the Council accepted the need for immediate action to avoid payment delays and legal exposure.
Contention
The main issue identified in the bill text is procedural noncompliance by the University of the District of Columbia, which failed to submit Change Order No. 2 to the Council in a timely manner. The concern is not over the underlying construction work itself, but over retroactive approval and the need to ensure the contractor is paid despite the missed approval step. The resolution also notes potential legal risks to the University if the change order is not approved, which appears to be the primary justification for emergency action.