Report Summary
Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General
December 2008
Quick Response Evaluation:
Federal Protective Service Basic Security Fees
(A-15-08-28125)
Objective
Our objectives were to (1) review the statutory authority of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Protective Service (FPS), to charge the Social Security Administration (SSA) a basic user fee and (2) determine whether charges were correct and appropriate.
Background
Effective March 1, 2003 and pursuant to the Homeland Security Act of 2002, FPS was transferred from the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Public Building Services to DHS. Under DHS, FPS became part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. FPS is the law enforcement program responsible for the security of GSA-owned or leased Federal buildings and grounds and the persons occupying them.
To view the full report, visit http://www.ssa.gov/oig/ADOBEPDF/A-15-08-28125.pdfOur Findings
Our review determined that (1) FPS was within its rights to charge SSA a basic user fee and (2) basic security services charges were appropriate and correct.
Matters for Consideration
In June 2008, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report titled The Federal Protective Service Faces Several Challenges That Hamper Its Ability to Protect Federal Facilities (GAO-08-683). The report discussed the FPS basic security fee and the level of service provided to Federal agencies. As a result of the review, GAO provided FPS six recommendations to help address its operational and funding challenges and ensure it has useful performance measures and reliable information to assess the effectiveness of efforts to protect GSA facilities. DHS concurred with the GAO findings and recommendations. As such, SSA should consider providing FPS constructive feedback aligned with the GAO recommendations to enhance FPS’ service to SSA.
Based on regional concerns and findings from the GAO report, SSA should consider developing a Memorandum of Understanding between FPS and SSA that addresses both the regional concerns and the Agency’s concerns about receiving full value for the fees paid.