*Authorize the Deputy City Administrator of City Operations to enter into a three-year contract with Express Scripts, Inc. to provide pharmacy benefits manager services on behalf of the City through the Bureau of Human Resources, Benefits Office to begin July 1, 2026, with a not to exceed amount of $120,000,000

The City of Portland ordains. Section 1. The Council Finds: The contract with Express Scripts, Inc. was selected through a process using a competitive request for proposal under the City's special procurement rules for benefit contracts rules. The provider contract will begin July 1, 2026, and include a not to exceed amount of $120,000,000 over the initial three-year contract period, with an option to renew as allowed under the City's contracting guidelines. A contract with a pharmacy benefit manager ensures the City has a specialized group to manage prescription benefits on behalf of the self-funded medical plans. Express Scripts, Inc. is responsible for negotiating prescription costs, developing formularies, and protecting the City's plan in a fiscally responsible way. To ensure continuity of services for prescriptions for City employees, it is necessary to expeditiously authorize the Deputy City Administrator of City Operations to enter into a contract between the City and Express Scripts, Inc. so that there is sufficient time to complete the execution of the contract without causing project delays and to ensure health plan participants receive timely notification. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs: The Deputy City Administrator of City Operations is authorized to enter into a three-year vendor contract with Express Scripts, Inc., with an option to renew as allowed by City contracting guidelines, to provide pharmacy benefits management services on behalf of the City through the Bureau of Human Resources, Benefits Office. This contract may begin on July 1, 2026 and must include a provision that provides for a not to exceed amount of $120,000,000 over the initial three-year period. Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists in order to execute the contract and begin pharmacy benefit management services by the beginning of FY 2026-27; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by Council.