Training

Funding is requested for only anticipated inflation costs and to support extensive training provided to newlyhired employees. Training funds allow GAO to 1) continue to maintain professional audit standards that require GAO evaluators to complete a minimum of 80 hours of continuing professional education credits (CPE) every 2 years; 2) ensure staff maintain expertise in the complex programs GAO examines and the audit/evaluation approaches GAO employs; and 3) continue emphasis on the quality and quantity of training and educational opportunities.

Training funds enable GAO-sponsored group or individual participation in courses offered during regular working hours as well as employee enrollment in job-related college and technical courses. It enables GAO to provide funding for senior managers to engage in intensive training relevant to their managerial, technical and issue area responsibilities. The increase will also provide formal training for GAO staff at USDA Graduate School and at other government agencies such as GSA and DOD. This course work outside the agency allows staff members to: 1) meet CPE requirements; 2) improve current work performance; 3) progress to maximum capabilities; 4) prepare for undertaking supervisory and managerial leadership responsibilities; and 5) keep abreast of current thinking and practices in accounting, auditing, information management, and management philosophies and techniques.

The fiscal year 1999 estimate for training is 50 percent below the amount spent for training in fiscal year 1995.

Maintenance of Equipment and Software

This category provides for the cost of repairs, preventive maintenance and upgrades for software and all classes of equipment. The increase provides for anticipated inflationary costs.

ADP and Telecommunications Services

This object class includes contractual agreements for the use of computers and other ADP equipment, data bases and ADP personnel services, e.g., systems analysis, programming, documentation, etc.

In fiscal year 1999 additional funding of $716 will be needed to upgrade the GAO-wide network for year 2000 changes and, fund cost-of-living adjustments for on-site personnel. The fiscal year 1999 estimate is nearly five percent below fiscal year 1995 costs. We have been able to decrease costs through use of the GAO-wide network, and reductions in utilizing commercial computing resources.

Building Operation and Maintenance

During fiscal year 1989, the custody, control and ownership of the GAO building was transferred from GSA to GAO. GAO awarded a comprehensive contract to provide professional building management services for the GAO building. The contractor, under the direction of GAO management, has responsibility to operate, maintain and repair the GAO building including all mechanical equipment and building systems.

Some of the other services provided under this category are:

Cleaning services

Utility services

Construction and building alteration work performed on a reimbursable basis

The request includes an increase to the appropriation to offset an uncontrollable reduction in offsetting collections, and an anticipated cost-of-living increase for on-site personnel and utilities.

Security Investigations

Funding provides for security investigations by OPM, Defense Investigative Services (DIS) and the FBI. These investigations are necessary for the purpose of determining suitability for employment and for access to classified and confidential information. Fiscal year 1999 funding levels provide the minimum level needed to maintain adequate coverage and constitute a 49 percent reduction from the fiscal year 1995 funding level.

Foreign Affairs Support

GAO reimburses the State Department for housing and utility costs for GAO staff assigned to the NATO Board of Auditors. Fiscal year 1999 funding levels represent an eighty-two percent reduction below fiscal year 1995 costs, primarily due to the 1996 closure of the European Office in Germany.

Health Services

The funding requested in this category is needed for the estimated increase in the cost of preventive health service/wellness programs offered by the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) and various private vendors. In fiscal year 1999, GAO plans to maintain the level of health services currently available to GAO staff.

As GAO's primary provider of health and employee counseling services, the PHS determines total facility costs per location to include medical and administrative staff salaries and benefits, contractual services and supplies, and necessary equipment acquisitions. Each agency's proportionate share of this cost is assessed by the number of agency personnel participating at the location.

The fiscal year 1999 estimate represents nearly a 56 percent reduction below the fiscal year 1995 level primarily due to lower staffing levels.

Other Contract Services

This category provides GAO with funding for contractual services that support administrative operations and provide necessary assistance in connection with the many audits, investigations, and reports done by GAO. One of the major items funded in this category is the Document Distribution System through which GAO audit and evaluation reports are provided to the Congress and the public. In addition, this system provides user access to an on-line data base of information on GAO reports. It also provides for the bibliographic control of information and materials and for a physical inventory of materials. Funding is also provided for contract services for other administrative systems and to continue on-going support for publishing operations such as design graphics and video presentations. The funding increase covers expected inflationary increases.

The fiscal year 1999 estimate represents nearly a 35 percent reduction below fiscal year 1995 costs.

The estimate provides for subscriptions to electronic and hard copy periodicals and databases, other sources of information used to research assignments, subscriptions to computer-based training manuals, and a wide variety of supplies and materials, including paper and toner for copiers and network printers, required in GAO operations. The requested increase provides for price level changes to enable GAO to maintain its inventories of information sources, and to supply photocopier paper near minimum operating levels.

This object class provides funding for purchases of furniture, publications for GAO's permanent collections, telecommunications and other equipment, and computer hardware and software. The increase in this category provides for anticipated price level increases.

The fiscal year 1999 request is 65 percent less than fiscal year 1995 costs.

This object class provides funding for minor modifications to office space configurations; upgrades to building infrastructure; and demolition, abatement and construction of building components. The fiscal year 1999 request is 99 percent less than fiscal year 1995 costs, due to deferral of the asbestos abatement program.

This estimate provides funding for payment of claims to employees and other for property lost or damaged incident to government work assignments and other liabilities. The fiscal year 1999 request is 76 percent below the amount spent in fiscal year 1995.

TOP MANAGEMENT

The Office of the Comptroller General consists of the Comptroller General and Deputy Comptroller General positions, both of which are presently vacant. The Principal Assistant Comptroller General is serving as the Acting Comptroller General until the new Comptroller General is confirmed by the Senate. He is supported by Assistant Comptrollers General for Planning and Reporting and for Operations. The Assistant Comptrollers General for Planning and Reporting and for Operations formulate GAO's audit and evaluation work plans, and operational and administrative policies and procedures, respectively.