Summary: Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed selected real property operations of the General Services Administration (GSA).
GAO found that GSA lacked adequate control over its leasing program for federal office space, a nonrecurring reimbursable work program, and investment in operating equipment used to support real property operations. As a result of these and numerous other control weaknesses identified by GAO, the Government could not be ensured that its assets were safeguarded or that its funds were being expended efficiently and effectively. About $4 million in actual and $12 million in potential overpayments, overcharges, waste, and improper accounting for funds were identified. Since completion of the review, GSA has advised GAO that it has taken or initiated a number of actions to strengthen its internal controls, including: issuing a new lease acquisition handbook; establishing a contract clearance function in each region; issuing a task force report on reimbursable work; revising its billing policy for reimbursable work so that tenant agency bills will be based on actual rather than estimated costs; and other measures.
