Navy Office Space

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined issues related to relocating selected Navy commands from the metropolitan District of Columbia (DC) area, focusing on: (1) the possible impact on command operations; (2) factors relating to relative costs of selected alternatives; and (3) relative quality-of-life factors for employees.

GAO found that advantages and disadvantages of relocation on command operations included: (1) improved condition of office space; (2) temporary loss of productivity due to disruptions of operations; (3) better access to military installations and related support activities; (4) increased difficulty in commands' coordination and interaction with Navy headquarters; (5) increased travel to the DC area; and (6) difficulty in coordinating work of personnel who perform duties for more than one Navy component. GAO also found that: (1) relocating outside of the metropolitan DC area had cost advantages in terms of facility purchasing and leasing and military variable housing allowances; (2) such other factors as moving office equipment and materials, relocating civilian employees, and long-distance travel presented possible cost disadvantages; (3) other factors with cost implications included personnel separations, recruiting and training, parallel operations, mail and telecommunications, productivity changes, and payroll; (4) median costs in the DC area for housing, state and local taxes, food, health care, and child care were higher than in many other areas; and (5) other factors affecting quality-of-life included such amenities as job availability, education, transportation, public safety, and climate.