Trump administration awards Clark Construction secret no-bid contract for Lafayette Park fountain repairs
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Apr 25
Trump administration awards Clark Construction secret no-bid contract for Lafayette Park fountain repairs
5 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Apr 25
Clark Construction received a $17.4 million contract in January 2026, far exceeding the 2022 Biden-era estimate of $3.3 million, for repairing two fountains near the White House.
The National Park Service bypassed standard competitive bidding, invoking an 'urgency' exception typically reserved for emergencies, and did not consider offers from other firms.
Unlike the privately funded White House ballroom project, the government is covering the full cost of the fountain repairs, raising questions about procurement transparency and spending under the Trump administration.
Why did a fountain repair estimate soar from $3.3 million to a $17.4 million no-bid contract?
What justified using a rare 'urgency' exception for a park fountain renovation?
Beyond urgency, what risks do no-bid contracts pose for public transparency and accountability?
What makes a contractor uniquely qualified for an urgent, sole-source government award?
How do new procurement rules prevent sole-source contracts from leading to inflated costs?