United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2003-11-04 monographic deposited born digital 45 p. GA 1.13:GAO-04-100 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-04-100 P0b002ee180376c9c f:d04100 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-28 GAOREPORTS-GAO-04-100 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-04-100 GAO-04-100 Embassies Facility security Government facility construction Program management Schedule slippages Terrorism Physical security Americans employed abroad Safety Dept. of State Long-Range Overseas Buildings Plan Other Written Product A08821

Since the 1998 bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa, the State Department has done much to improve physical security at overseas posts. However, most overseas diplomatic office facilities still do not meet the security standards State developed to protect these sites from terrorist attacks and other dangers. To correct this problem, State in 1999 embarked on an estimated $21 billion embassy construction program. The program's key objective is to provide secure, safe, and functional compounds for employees overseas--in most cases by building replacement facilities. In 2001, State's Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO)--which manages the program--began instituting reforms in its structure and operations to meet the challenges of the embassy construction program. This report discusses (1) OBO's mechanisms for more effectively managing the embassy construction program and (2) the status of and challenges facing the program. We received comments from State, which said that the report is a fair and accurate representation overall of the Department's overseas construction process. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-04-100/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-04-100.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-04-100/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-04-100.pdf GAO-04-100 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-04-100 Other Written Product GAO-04-100; Embassy Construction: State Department Has Implemented Management Reforms, but Challenges Remain; Embassies Facility security Government facility construction Program management Schedule slippages Terrorism Physical security Americans employed abroad Safety Dept. of State Long-Range Overseas Buildings Plan Title 22 Section 4865 22 U.S.C. 4865 Public Law 107-206