But that isn't how it works now. How it works now is "You build a rocket to go to the moon. Try to keep the price down, but we'll pay whatever it costs. Plus a profit margin when you're finished."
The bidder say "I can do it for $100". Fantastic! Then they go 'over budget' (as planned) and spend $1000, and the government pays it anyway because the contract says they must. Plus $20 profit.
Meanwhile the Commercial Resupply Services missions have been a poster-child for cost-savings.
The taxpayers truly thank you for 'saving them money'.
The bidder say "I can do it for $100". Fantastic! Then they go 'over budget' (as planned) and spend $1000, and the government pays it anyway because the contract says they must. Plus $20 profit.
Meanwhile the Commercial Resupply Services missions have been a poster-child for cost-savings.
The taxpayers truly thank you for 'saving them money'.