I've heard repeatedly that California in particular does not have enough engineering staff to manage contractors for state projects. That's a result of the US's obsession with neoliberal economics which sees those people are a waste of money and an impediment to getting things done.
My dad worked for the government doing management and oversight. It takes a lot of work to evaluate and reject bad low ball bids. Even more work to create bids that you can hold contractors to and to weed out shysters.
My dad worked for the government doing management and oversight. It takes a lot of work to evaluate and reject bad low ball bids. Even more work to create bids that you can hold contractors to and to weed out shysters.