Lease of Building Space in the Waterside Mall Building Complex

Comments were presented on a report of the General Services Administration's actions to acquire a cafeteria as part of its acquisition of leased office and storage space for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employees. GSA was not aggressive in enforcing the 1971 lease provision, and EPA employees were left without adequate food facilities. GSA stated that the cafeteria requirement was inadvertently not enforced and that the number of officials involved in the problem and the high turnover rate among officials were contributing factors. GAO found no evidence of a conscious decision not to resolve the cafeteria issue but could not determine why the issue was not resolved early during the lease period. While there was a high turnover of GSA officials in general, there was a continuity of officials at management levels who should have been familiar with the lease terms. During 1976 and early 1977, GSA looked into the cafeteria situation and found that no one had any factual knowledge of any waivers, decision to accept private facilities in lieu of a cafeteria, or instructions not to pursue the provisions of the lease.