Before making a big purchase, whether a product or a service, many people conduct research to ensure they pay a fair price. Comparing prices, reading reviews and even calling to get real-time quotes can help inform consumers before pulling the trigger and making a purchase. The same is true for the federal government. Before approving taxpayer dollars to be used to construct military facilities, improve the nation’s infrastructure or implement flood risk reduction projects, Congress must ensure the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ project cost estimates are as accurate as possible. At the Kansas City District, a highly skilled team of cost engineers is tasked with the challenging job of estimating the cost of a project before Congress will agree to fund it.