The original report said that all 11 of the facilities that auditors tested were “vulnerable to a wide range of security threats” although specifics similarly were redacted from that report. Image: Colin Woods/Shutterstock.com
The GSA “has not effectively addressed” the recommendations in a 2020 inspector general report citing “significant” security vulnerabilities at child care facilities in GSA-controlled space, a followup review by the IG has found.
“As a result, significant security vulnerabilities remain outstanding for 80 of the 93 child care centers in GSA-controlled buildings,” said the report that was heavily redacted, with specific issues and locations blacked out. Until the agency either “addresses the security deficiencies or moves the child care centers to safer locations, these child care centers remain vulnerable to significant security risks,” it said.
It said that after the 2020 report, the GSA’s Public Buildings Service conducted an assessment that “identified security deficiencies that were consistent with our audit findings.” However, those assessments were not comprehensive and “although PBS has addressed some of the identified security vulnerabilities, many remain outstanding,” it said.
It further recommended that the PBS conduct further reviews at several individual centers for a specific risk—specifics were redacted—and that it “either expedite action to address any vulnerabilities identified or move the child care center(s) to a safer location.”
The original report said that all 11 of the facilities that auditors tested were “vulnerable to a wide range of security threats” although specifics similarly were redacted from that report. It attributed those issues in part to lack of coordination between GSA, the Interagency Security Committee—which sets policies and makes recommendations on agency physical security–and local facility security committees of tenant agencies.
The report further lengthens a recent series of warnings from the IG and the GAO about conditions in federal buildings ranging from the quality of the air and water in them to fire, safety and security risks.
Although the management response also was heavily redacted, what remained indicated a difference of opinion between the agency and the IG regarding the thoroughness of the security reviews that were conducted.
It also indicated that PBS cited funding restrictions there and in tenant agencies. The IG replied: “We recognize PBS’s need to carefully manage its funding; however, GSA has different mechanisms available to fund—or request funding for—alterations to GSA-controlled buildings that are necessary to ensure the safety of the child care centers.”
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