Message from the Deputy Inspector General
I am pleased to submit to Congress our Semiannual Report for the period of October 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025.
During this reporting period, the GSA OIG issued 18 reports, including 11 contract audit reports, with more than $282.3 million in financial recommendations for potential cost savings and recoveries for the federal government. In addition, our investigative and legal work yielded $34.7 million in monetary recoveries.
In February, the GSA OIG completed its review of GSA’s site selection process for the relocation of the FBI’s headquarters building. We found, among other things, that GSA had provided some inaccurate information related to the site selection cost for one of the locations; that GSA’s rationale for increasing the weighting of its cost criterion was not justified; and that GSA failed to properly maintain cell phone text messages related to the project. In a separate inspection of a high-risk GSA building, we found that inadequate security measures, including the building’s lack of a functioning Facility Security Committee, put the building and its occupants at risk.
Our auditors issued an alert memorandum after finding that GSA’s Public Buildings Service (PBS) allowed the use of a drone, manufactured by a Chinese military company and a prohibited source, to photograph construction at a Land Port of Entry in San Luis, Arizona. Another audit found that GSA is not effectively managing its internal space to reflect occupancy changes – specifically that GSA lacked the accurate and reliable data necessary to determine and monitor its occupancy and space utilization targets. Additionally, after assessing a hotline complaint, we issued an audit memorandum after finding that PBS did not have complete and accurate asbestos information for the Herbert C. Hoover building in Washington, D.C.
Our special agents continued their work in detecting complex procurement fraud schemes. One case resulted in Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation agreeing to pay the United States $15.875 million to resolve allegations that one of its subsidiaries submitted fraudulent claims in connection with a GSA task order. Another investigation resulted in the criminal convictions of five individuals who schemed to steer housekeeping and janitorial services contracts for personal benefit. The five defendants were sentenced to 12 years of combined incarceration and ordered to pay $3.7 million in restitution.
Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not highlight the brave actions of one of our special agents who stopped an active shooter situation in February. The gunman, armed with an assault rifle, fired 28 rounds, killing two innocent people at a Virginia shopping center. The gunman was continuing his attack when our special agent stepped in, putting himself in harm’s way, engaged the suspect, and stopped the threat before more lives were lost. This event highlighted our special agent’s heroism and dedication to public service, as well as the critical federal law enforcement training that our special agents receive. I am proud of and thankful for the special agent’s actions in saving lives that day.
Our mission fighting fraud, waste, and abuse would not be possible without the hard work of the men and women of GSA OIG. I am honored to lead this office and am thankful for the continued support of both Congress and GSA management.
Robert C. Erickson
Deputy Inspector General
March 31, 2025
REPORT
