Modification Nos. M0006 and M0008 to Contract No. GAGA-2022-C-0385-A with Aramark Educational Services, LLC, Approval and Payment Authorization Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Phil Mendelson

Authorizes increases to the DCPS Aramark food service contract for 37 sites, raising the NTE to $17,004,045.26 and approving payments for services already provided or to come.

Approved with Resolution Number R26-0442

Summary of PR 26-0730 (Emergency Declaration) – Modification Nos. M0006 and M0008 to Contract No. GAGA-2022-C-0385-A with Aramark Educational Services, LLC

Purpose and intent

This emergency bill, titled the Modification Nos. M0006 and M0008 to Contract No. GAGA-2022-C-0385-A with Aramark Educational Services, LLC, Approval and Payment Authorization Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026, seeks immediate Council approval to authorize modifications to an existing food service contract and to authorize payment for the related goods and services.

The objective is to continue and expand food service operations for DC Public Schools (DCPS) at 37 school sites (identified as school clusters 2, 5, 6, and 7) and to increase the overall not-to-exceed (NTE) amount for option year two.

Key provisions and changes

Background: By Modification No. M0005, DCPS exercised option year two of Contract No. GAGA-2022-C-0385-A with Aramark Educational Services, LLC for food services at 37 sites for July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, in an NTE amount of $14,078,065.88.

Modification No. M0006: Increases the NTE by $694,096.76, resulting in a new NTE total of $14,772,162.64.

Modification No. M0008 (proposed): Proposes to increase the NTE by $2,231,882.62, bringing the overall NTE to $17,004,045.26 for option year two.

Total impact: The combined increases from M0006 and M0008 amount to $2,925,979.38 for option year one (within the context of the overall contract’s second year).

Payment authorization: The bill would authorize payment for goods and services already received and to be received under the modifications.

Legal basis for emergency action: The bill notes that Council approval is required under the DC Home Rule Act because the modifications exceed $1 million in a 12-month period, and the emergency declaration is intended to ensure continuity of vital food services for students.

Who/what is affected

Primary parties: District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and Aramark Educational Services, LLC.

Affected activity: Provision of school meal services at 37 DCPS sites (school clusters 2, 5, 6, and 7) during the 2025–2026 school year (option year two of the contract).

Financial impact: Increase in the contract’s not-to-exceed amount to cover additional services and ongoing payments for those services.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Effective action: The bill is an emergency measure intended to take effect immediately upon approval and enactment, allowing immediate continuation and payment for services.

Legislative path: The bill is introduced by the Mayor and co-sponsored by Council Chair Phil Mendelson. It was introduced on May 26, 2026, and retained by the Council with committee feedback as of June 2, 2026, indicating expedited consideration typical for emergency measures.

Justification: The emergency declaration cites the necessity to continue vital food service operations and to authorize payments beyond the previously approved amount for the contract period.

Notable details

Not-to-exceed (NTE) amounts:

Prior NTE (M0005): $14,078,065.88
After M0006: $14,772,162.64
After M0008: $17,004,045.26

Combined increase (M0006 + M0008): $2,925,979.38

Emergency declaration basis: Requires immediate action due to the ongoing and essential nature of school meal services and the need to authorize payments for services already rendered or to be rendered.

If you’d like, I can provide a plain-language briefing for non-technical readers or a side-by-side comparison of pre- and post-modification contract terms.