Lawmaker Questions Interior Department on Reflecting Pool Project and $13 Million Contract

A Democratic lawmaker pressed officials on the costs and contracting process for a reflecting pool project during a congressional hearing on Wednesday. The questions centered on expenses associated with the reflecting pool and a $13 million no-bid contract.

Officials have not released detailed information on the project's total budget or the criteria used to award the contract without competitive bidding. The lawmaker sought clarification on whether the no-bid approach followed standard federal procurement guidelines.

The department has maintained that the contract was issued in accordance with applicable rules for urgent or specialized work.

Exact location and completion timeline details were not specified in the hearing exchange. The $13 million contract covers unspecified services tied to the project. Federal records indicate no-bid contracts require justification under exceptions to standard competitive bidding requirements.

The lawmaker asked officials to explain the rationale for bypassing competitive bids. Officials responded that the selection was based on the contractor's specialized experience with similar historical restoration projects. No additional details on projected costs or timelines were provided during the hearing.

The department has previously stated that such projects aim to preserve national landmarks and improve public access. Further congressional oversight on the contract award is possible as lawmakers review federal spending practices.