Actually, the USG has always paid more for products and it rarely has anything to do with so called "black projects." It is called "special interests," and "price gouging."
In 2001 we were paying 600 dollars for sinks worth 35 dollars due to a computer hiccup and contractors taking advantage of the bug.
In 2006 I took a commercial flight to Florida at the government's expense while on government business. A ticket that would have cost me $250 cost the government $1,235.
The government overpays, always has and most likely always will.
It would be an inventory nightmare to attempt to fund a multi-million dollar program by over paying for toilet seats, hammers, nails and various other small items.
Let's not get carried away with conspiracy theories.