The White House routed a $500 million no-bid contract through an office that typically handles repairs and furnishings, sidestepping standard competitive bidding procedures designed to control costs, according to a copy of the agreement obtained by The Washington Post and reported on June 30.
White House officials awarded the contract last year for construction of the East Wing ballroom in an arrangement that bypassed typical contracting safeguards, the investigation found. The office through which the contract was routed is exempt from competitive bidding requirements.
The ballroom project has grown significantly in scope and cost since its announcement in July 2025. Initial estimates placed the construction at $200 million, then $400 million, and most recently at $600 million according to internal contractor estimates obtained by The Washington Post in mid-June.
Clark Construction, a Maryland-based firm, serves as the primary contractor for the ballroom. The company also received a separate $17.4 million no-bid contract from the National Park Service in January 2026 to renovate two ornamental fountains in Lafayette Park, according to reporting by The New York Times and Engineering News-Record.
The project has faced legal challenges from preservationists and members of Congress who argue it requires congressional approval. A federal judge initially halted construction in March 2026, but an appeals court allowed work to continue in April. The ballroom is planned as a 90,000-square-foot addition to the White House complex, intended to replace the demolished East Wing.
Recent reporting has raised questions about the actual cost split between private donors and taxpayers. A March 2026 cost estimate by Clark Construction showed half the $600 million total would come from taxpayer funds, contradicting earlier White House statements that private donations would cover the entire project.
Sources
- The Washington Post — reported the $500M no-bid contract award and the routing through a White House office exempt from competitive bidding
- Reuters — confirmed the Washington Post report on the contract award
- The New York Times — reported Clark Construction received a separate $17.4 million no-bid contract for Lafayette Park fountains
- Engineering News-Record — confirmed the $17.4 million sole-source contract to Clark Construction
