NCJ Number
73521
Date Published
1979
Length
40 pages
Annotation
This report discusses the General Services Administration's (GSA) alterations and major repairs program and recommends changes to improve the program's management.
Abstract
GSA spends $250 million a year to alter or repair 3,300 Federal buildings. This report was based on review of official documents, technical inspections of 15 buildings, and a survey of 66 agency tenants of the sample buildings. Results showed that several management deficiencies prevent management from having reliable information to control expenditures, monitor results, or support congressional budget requests. A key management tool, the computerized inventory of work requirements, is not reliable. Cases were found in which the individual building inventories were overstated or understated by millions of dollars. In addition, regions deviate from approved work programs without authorization from the central office and unduly retain authority for prospectus projects by improperly charging the costs of work to nonprospectus projects. Moreover, the accomplishment of work is not measured and reported by the same classifications used for inventory and budget purposes. Furthermore, regional offices do not have an efficient system of matching obligations with work requirements by building. It is recommended that GSA's costs estimating be improved and all known work included in the inventory. In addition, regional offices should receive clarifying instructions and tighter control. GSA generally agreed with this report and recommendations. Footnotes, tables, and an appendix listing the buildings selected for review are included. (Author abstract modified)