Fedweek

A memo of agreement between the GSA and the Federal Protective Service does not clearly make either of them responsible for repairing or replacing security equipment. Image: RHIMAGE/Shutterstock.com

The inspector general at the GSA has issued a report that, while heavily redacted, clearly signals concerns about the physical security of federal buildings under GSA control—that is, the large majority apart from those controlled by DoD or the intelligence community.

Virtually all of the findings regarding 14 buildings reviewed were blacked out, but the portions that remained for public review show that the review focused on the functioning of security cameras, video recording systems and alarm systems. One heading, “Security is hampered by” is followed by nearly two pages of deletion, which apparently identified numerous problems because it concludes that “taken together, the examples above that the security camera and alarm systems at GSA owned buildings” followed by more blacking out.

The remaining portions further note that for background, the IG previously issued two reports “that identified deficiencies in security cameras at GSA facilities” and that “based on these and other GSA OIG reports, we have identified the safeguarding of federal facilities as a management challenge for the past 10 years.”

In one section with relatively little redaction, it also says that “although many of these security deficiencies are long-standing, little action is being taken to address them.” One issue, it said, involves coordination of responsibilities between the GSA and the Federal Protective Service—which had been part of the GSA until it was moved to DHS when that department was created. It said that a memo of agreement between the GSA and FPS does not clearly make either of them responsible for repairing or replacing security equipment.

“GSA should work with FPS to address deficiencies in security systems across its portfolio of owned buildings,” the report said. “It should also work with FPS to strengthen the language in the MOA and clearly define responsibility for addressing security system deficiencies in a timely manner. If the GSA and FPS are unable to obtain the necessary funding to address security system deficiencies, GSA should use its own authorities to do so.”

It said GSA should conduct a nationwide assessment of security camera and alarm systems and develop a plan to repair, replace or install systems where needed. GSA management agreed, while adding that the agency would need a steady stream of funding over years to address current and future needs, not just a one-time appropriation.

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