GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

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PRESS RELEASE
IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Linda Wharton Boyd (202) 727.5011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011 linda.wharton-boyd@dc.gov;

MAYOR VINCENT C. GRAY ORDERS AGENCY DIRECTORS TO SEEK

COUNCIL APPROVAL
FOR CONTRACT OPTIONS OVER $1 MILLION DOLLARS
Directive Departs from Current Policy and Requires Council Review Even If There Is
No Change in Pricing

(Washington, DC) -Effective immediately, Mayor Vincent C. Gray has directed all agencies to
submit all contract options valued over $1,000,000 in a 12-month period for Council review and
approval. This directive applies regardless of whether the contract was originally awarded
before or after October 15, 2009.

The Gray Administration policy represents a change from the prior administration’s policy
which essentially indicated that if pricing had not increased from the base year, options over
$1,000,000 did not have to be returned to the Council. The new policy simply states that all
options over $1,000,000 in a 12-month period must return for Council review, regardless of
whether or not the pricing has changed.

Mayor Gray is committed to transparency in the District’s procurement operations. This

directive adds public oversight to the contracting process and helps ensure that the District’s
resources are spent in alignment with our priorities.

For more information regarding the contract options review policy, please contact Brendon
Miller, Program Manager - Public Relations and Performance Management, at
Brendon.miller@dc.gov.