No-bid contract to turn DC’s reflecting pool blue goes to firm with ties to Trump

AI Summary

A no-bid contract for $6.9 million has been awarded to Atlantic Industrial Coatings for a project to paint the reflecting pool near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. This company has historical ties to Donald Trump, raising questions about the contract's award process.

A company Trump has used for work at his Virginia golf course was awarded $6.9m to paint the iconic attraction Donald Trump’s latest beautification plan for Washington DC – the restoration of the 2,000ft-long reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial – has met been with claims that a $6.9m contract to carry out the project was hastily handed out to a company that renovated a swimming pool at the president’s Virginia golf course. The New York Times reported that the no-bid contract for the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool was given to Atlantic Industrial Coatings, based in New Canton, Virginia, on 3 April – despite company records’ showing it has not previously been awarded a federal contract. Continue reading...