Overseas Real Property: State Department Needs to Improve Guidance and Records Management
Abstract
The Department of State (State) holds or leases about 70-million square feet of real estate in about 275 posts worldwide and has the authority to construct, acquire, manage, and dispose of real property abroad. GAO was asked to review States management of overseas real property. This report examines: (1) what is known about States overseas real property inventory, and (2) what factors State considers in managing its overseas real property portfolio and to what extent it documents its decision-making process pertaining to real property. GAO requested 202 files for all acquisitions, disposals, and major leases pertaining to States management of its real property abroad for the period from 2008-2013. In addition, GAO interviewed State officials in headquarters and at four posts abroad, selected because they had (1) ongoing or recently completed embassy construction or renovation projects without property disposals, (2) properties reported as identified for disposal for multiple years without being disposed, and (3) both owned and leased properties. The results of the four case studies cannot be generalized for the purpose of this review. GAO recommends that the Secretary of State (1) clarify accounting code guidance for tracking expenses related to disposal of unneeded properties, and (2) take steps to collect and retain documents related to real property purchases, disposals, and leases in accordance with the FAM and OMB's guidance. State concurred with GAO's recommendations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 25, 2014
- Accession Number
- AD1180444
Entities
People
- Amelia Shachoy
- Colin Fallon
- Crystal Wesco
- David J. Wise
- George Depaoli
- Grace Lui
- Hannah Laufe
- Hynek Kalkus
- Josh Ormond
- Joshua Akery
- Kelly Rubin
- Michael J. Courts
- Nitin Rao
- Ozzy Trevino
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office