District Of Columbia § 1-204.51 - Special rules regarding certain contracts.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 1-204.51 — Special rules regarding certain contracts., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 1-204.51. Special rules regarding certain contracts.
1-204.51No contract involving expenditures out of an appropriation which is available for more than 1 year shall be made for a period of more than 5 years unless, with respect to a particular contract, the Council, by a two-thirds vote of its members present and voting, authorizes the extension of such period for such contract. Such contracts shall be made pursuant to criteria established by act of the Council.
No contract involving expenditures in excess of $1,000,000 during a 12-month period may be made unless the Mayor submits the contract to the Council for its approval and the Council approves the contract (in accordance with criteria established by act of the Council).
For purposes of paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Council shall be deemed to approve a contract if —
during the 10-day period beginning on the date the Mayor submits the contract to the Council, no member of the Council introduces a resolution approving or disapproving the contract; or
during the 45-calendar day period beginning on the date the Mayor submits the contract to the Council, the Council does not disapprove the contract.
The District may enter into multiyear contracts to obtain goods and services for which funds would otherwise be available for obligation only within the fiscal year for which appropriated.
If the funds are not made available for the continuation of such a contract into a subsequent fiscal year, the contract shall be cancelled or terminated, and the cost of cancellation or termination may be paid from —
appropriations originally available for the performance of the contract concerned;
appropriations currently available for procurement of the type of acquisition covered by the contract, and not otherwise obligated; or
funds appropriated for those payments.
No contract entered into under this subsection shall be valid unless the Mayor submits the contract to the Council for its approval and the Council approves the contract (in accordance with criteria established by act of the Council). The Council shall be required to take affirmative action to approve the contract within 45 days. If no action is taken to approve the contract within 45 calendar days, the contract shall be deemed disapproved.
The requirements of this section shall not apply with respect to any of the following contracts:
Any contract entered into by the Washington Convention Center Authority for preconstruction activities, project management, design, or construction.
Any contract entered into by the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority established pursuant to the Water and Sewer Authority Establishment and Department of Public Works Reorganization Act of 1996 [], other than contracts for the sale or lease of the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant.
At the option of the Council, any contract for a highway improvement project carried out under title 23, United States Code.
Annotations
Definitions applicable: The definitions contained in apply to this section.
Application of § 11704(a) of Pub. L. 105-33: Section 11704(b) of Title XI of Pub. L. 105-33, 111 Stat. 786, the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997, provided that the amendment made by § 11704(a) shall apply with respect to contracts entered into on or after the date of the enactment of this title. Title XI of Pub. L. 105-33 was approved August 5, 1997.
Applicability of § 304 of Pub. Law 104-8: Section 304(c) of Pub. Law 104-8, 109 Stat. 152, provided that the amendments made by that section shall apply to contracts made on or after the date of the enactment of the Act, April 17, 1995.
800 Ninth Street, S.W. lease approval: For temporary approval of a lease agreement between the District of Columbia government and NBL Associates Limited Partnership for 800 Ninth Street, S.W., and for exemption of this lease from the formal competitive procurement requirements applicable to leases where the District will be the predominant user of the building, see §§ 2 and 3 of the 800 Ninth Street, S.W., Lease Approval Emergency Act of 1995 (D.C. Act 11-141, October 6, 1995, 42 DCR 5704).
415 12th Street, N.W. lease approval: For temporary approval of the lease agreement between the District of Columbia government and Laszlo N. Tauber, M.D., and Associates for 415 12th Street, N.W., and for exemption of the lease from the formal competitive procurement requirements applicable to leases where the District government will be the predominant user of the building, see §§ 2 and 3 of the 415 12th Street, N.W., Lease Conditional Approval Emergency Act of 1995 (D.C. Act 11-140, July 19, 1995, 42 DCR 5606).
Resolution 13-172, the “$3.1 Million Community Development Block Grant for the Greater Southeast Community Hospital Foundation Emergency Approval Resolution of 1999”, was approved effective June 22, 1999.
Resolution 13-166, the “Support Agreement No. 12, Amendment 4 (Authorization of Fiscal Year 1999 School Facility Capital Improvement Projects) Emergency Approval Resolution of 1999”, was approved effective June 22, 1999.
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 1-204.51
What does D.C. Code § 1-204.51 cover?
Section 1-204.51 ("Special rules regarding certain contracts.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 1-204.51?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 1-204.51" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 1-204.51 apply to my situation?
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Sources & Verification
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