Don't know about 'waste' - but 'stupidity' ran at least a close second.
For some reason the Army got on the "suggestion box" kick. With some success. Nobody knows how to do a better job cheaper than the person doing it. So the Army naturally ran it into the ground. "Suggestions" were no longer voluntary (as in requiring some thinking). At least one "suggestion" a month became mandatory.
So we played the game. One month it was suggested that the government buy plastic extensions for pencils. Because everyone knew that you threw the pencil away as it got shorter and shorter and harder to hold onto. Another time, it was suggested that the duffel bag be capable of being opened at either end - "because what you want is always at the bottom". After several months of similar suggestions, the brass finally got the message and suggestions were no longer mandatory.
"No man's life, liberty, or property is safe, while Congress is in session." Mark Twain