Report on the Relocation of Director, Naval Oceanography and Meteorology to Bay St. Louis, MS

GAO reviewed cost and morale implications of the relocation of the Naval Oceanography and Meteorology Organization from Washington, D.C., to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Approximately $476,000 was required to relocate personnel, equipment, and records, provide temporary space, and construct a new building for the Director, Naval Oceanography and Meteorology. This is basically a headquarters organization responsible for providing direction, policy, and technical guidance to subordinate activities throughout the world. Performance of those types of functions is not affected significiently by geographical location. Of the 38 employees assigned to the Washington location, 23 were authorized for the Mississippi location. The remaining positions were transferred to other federal agencies. Of seven employees interviewed to determine the impact of the move on morale, none believed their morale to be lower and five stated that their morale was higher.