Council of the District of Columbia

Committee of the Whole

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20004

 

 

TO:                 Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council

             

FROM:           Phil Mendelson, Chairman

                                   

DATE:            September 14, 2023

 

 

This memorandum is to request that the following measures be placed on the agenda for the September 19, 2023 Legislative Meeting, at the request of the Mayor:

 

▪       Contract No. GAGA-2023-C-0248 with D.C. Central Kitchen Approval and Payment Authorization Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2023

▪       Contract No. GAGA-2023-C-0248 with D.C. Central Kitchen Approval and Payment Authorization Emergency Act of 2023

 

            The District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) seeks Council approval of an extension of a contract with D.C. Central Kitchen for food service management.  This year the Committee of the Whole found that DCPS failed to send 36 retroactive contracts to the Council for review with a total value of $269.6 million.  Two contracts precipitated this revelation – no bid extensions of food service contracts through June 30, 2023.  Throughout the spring DCPS assured the Committee that it would transmit to the Council for its review new food services contracts before the start of school year 2023-2024.  This did not happen which necessitated short term bridge contracts with the current two vendors through September 30 with the expectation that new contracts would be in place by October 1.  Indeed, DCPS sent award letters to prospective awardees under the new solicitation, but then retracted those awards to cure potential process issues before final award.

 

            One of the bridge contracts – with SodexoMagic for over $1 million – was approved last month (August) under passive review.  The second bridge – with DC Central Kitchen for under $1 million – did not require Council approval.  DCPS has now committed that new contracts will be in place on January 1, 2024, necessitating extensions of the two bridge contracts through the end of the calendar year.  Because the DC Central Kitchen bridge contract was originally executed for under $1 million, retroactive consideration of the modification over $1 million through the end of the year now requires active Council approval.  Separately, DCPS must submit the second extension with SodexoMagic to the Council by September 18^th for 10-day passive review and approval.

 

            I have held a series of roundtables over the recess to hold DCPS to account in getting the food services contracts right so District students can be fed.  I have no qualms about continuing the DC Central Kitchen contract until the new awards are made because their food quality and delivery have been praised by students and it is imperative that services continue.  Draft copies of the measures have been submitted to my office and are attached.  Please call me or Evan Cash, Committee and Legislative Director if you have any questions at (202) 724-7002. 

 

 

cc:        All Councilmembers

            Council Officers