Embassy Construction

The Department of State is in the early stages of a proposed multibillion dollar program to build secure new embassies and consulates around the world. Under the proposed Capital Security Cost-Sharing Program, all agencies with staff assigned to overseas diplomatic missions would share in construction costs. This report describes (1) the rationale for and development of the program, (2) agency concerns about the program, and (3) the influence of the program on agencies' overseas staff levels.

The administration's proposed Capital Security Cost-Sharing Program has been developed to accelerate the building of 150 new secure embassies and consulates around the world and to ensure that all agencies with overseas staff assign only the number of staff needed to accomplish their overseas missions. The Department of State's Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), which would manage the program, examined several formulas before deciding that all agencies with an overseas presence would share costs, based on a per capita or "head-count" formula. If enacted, nearly 30 U.S. agencies would be assessed a total of $17.5 billion for constructing 150 new embassies by 2018, or 12 years sooner than the projected completion date of 2030. After a gradual phase-in period beginning in fiscal year 2005, the program would generate $1.4 billion annually from fiscal years 2009 through 2018, with State paying $920 million and non-State agencies paying $480 million. Many non-State Department agencies have concerns about the proposed program. They would prefer a formula other than one based on head counts to assess fees, and they are concerned that cost-sharing fees could affect their ability to accomplish their overseas missions. In addition, they stated that it would be useful to establish new interagency mechanisms to discuss and resolve potential implementation issues. We did not assess the mechanisms to be used to implement the program and have taken no position on whether they would be needed. State is concerned that, without accelerated funding, U.S. government employees will remain at risk beyond the 2018 completion date. State is also concerned that, without cost sharing, OBO could overbuild office space due to agencies' imprecise staffing projections. In our prior work, we have noted the importance of achieving interagency consensus and striving to achieve equity while minimizing management burden. Decision-makers need to continually focus on these factors to give the program every opportunity to succeed. If enacted, it is important that Congress and State monitor its implementation and make changes as needed.