State Department

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined the Department of State's implementation of its Diplomatic Security Construction Program, focusing on: (1) program funding; (2) project status; and (3) planning issues.

GAO found that: (1) State's Office of Foreign Buildings Operations (FBO) believed that the lack of appropriations hindered efforts to implement more projects; (2) over half of the 57 projects' schedules were delayed by more than 1 year; (3) as of November 1990, project cost increases averaged 21 percent; and (4) reasons for delays and cost increases included inaccurate cost and requirements estimates, problems acquiring sites, changes in project design and security requirements, and contractor performance problems. In addition, GAO found that, of the 57 planned projects: (1) 7 were completed, 5 were under construction, and 1 was out for construction contract bid, as of November 1990; (2) 16 were either under design, out for architectural and engineering selection, or in site acquisition status; and (3) 28 were on hold, deferred, or cancelled. GAO also found that FBO did not: (1) identify the Diplomatic Security Construction Program as a separate program in its 5-year program plan; (2) indicate whether it planned to complete the program; (3) indicate program costs; (4) identify the criteria used to establish funding priorities; and (5) identify how security threats at overseas posts would affect future construction priorities.