Overseas Construction:

State Initiates Corrective Actions, but Improvements Still Needed

NSIAD-88-27, Oct 30, 1987

Contact:

Joseph E. Kelley
(202) 275-4128
contact@gao.gov

 

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Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of State's efforts to correct long-standing construction management problems in its Office of Foreign Buildings Operations (FBO).

GAO noted that State believes that its hiring of a private-sector program manager to reorganize FBO will improve its worldwide security construction program. GAO found that: (1) FBO operations have programmatic and procedural deficiencies, such as vacant program management positions, policies and procedures which do not meet government regulations, and informal and undocumented cost-estimating procedures; (2) FBO implemented 3 recommendations from a recent GAO report on deficiencies and partially implemented 10 of 20 recommendations noted in an August 1985 State Inspector General report; and (3) deficiencies in cost-estimating procedures prevented a complete assessment of the reasonableness of costs associated with the security construction and renovation program.

Status Legend:

More Info
  • Review Pending-GAO has not yet assessed implementation status.
  • Open-Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned, or actions that partially satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.
  • Closed-implemented-Actions that satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.
  • Closed-not implemented-While the intent of the recommendation has not been satisfied, time or circumstances have rendered the recommendation invalid.
    • Review Pending
    • Open
    • Closed - implemented
    • Closed - not implemented

    Recommendations for Executive Action

    Recommendation: The Secretary of State should direct FBO to develop and implement detailed written operating procedures to provide the necessary managerial framework for planning, awarding, administering, managing, and monitoring the design and construction of FBO construction projects.

    Agency Affected: Department of State

    Status: Closed - Implemented

    Comments: As of August 24, 1988, the Director, FBO, indicated that the respective procedures/procedures manuals have been completed.

    Recommendation: The Secretary of State should direct FBO to develop and implement a systematic cost-estimating process setting forth the specific criteria to be used in developing estimates, the need for regular updating of cost factors, and the requirement for documenting program cost estimates and any changes to them.

    Agency Affected: Department of State

    Status: Closed - Implemented

    Comments: As of August 24, 1988, the Director, FBO, indicated that FBO had developed and implemented a systematic cost-estimating process setting forth the specific criteria to be used in developing, regularly updating, and documenting program cost estimates.