The New York Times is investigating no-bid contracts issued by the Trump administration, following reporting on lucrative contracts awarded to the firm that organized President Trump's Jan. 6, 2021 rally. Federal agencies bypassed normal competitive processes for event planning work that hundreds of other contractors could perform.

These sole-source contracts represent potential misuse of a system designed for rare exceptions. The probe follows the downfall of former homeland security secretary Kristi Noem, whose department paid $220 million to companies connected to her and her allies, similar arrangements that raise questions about proper oversight.

The Times is seeking public input about potentially improper no-bid contracts to understand the administration's contracting patterns. While some such contracts are legitimate when only one supplier exists, the current reporting suggests these arrangements may have become more frequent, potentially costing taxpayers competitive pricing and fair vendor opportunities.