Haven't read the story. Have actual, first-hand, real-world experience of US government architects repeatedly putting high end and very expensive faucets/fixtur

Haven't read the story. Have actual, first-hand, real-world experience of US government architects repeatedly putting high end and very expensive faucets/fixtures/etc into housing projects, which where immediately torn out and pawned/re-sold/etc. Usual explanation, when offered, was the typical "Budget is $X, and if we don't spend at least $X, they reduce the budget next round, so we spend every dollar and request an increase."