Baseline Minimum Security Standards in Federally Owned Facilities under the Jurisdiction, Custody and Control of the U.S. General Services Administration

1.  Purpose

This order establishes baseline minimum security standards in federally owned facilities under the jurisdiction, custody and control of the U.S. General Services Administration (“GSA”) (collectively, “GSA’s federally owned facilities’’) for video surveillance systems (“VSS”) and intrusion detection systems (“IDS”).

2.  Background

The GSA Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) conducted a security audit of GSA’s federally owned facilities (OIG Audit - A210033/P/5/R22006), the purpose of which was to identify those facilities that did not meet the necessary level of protection (“NLOP”) as outlined in Appendix B to the Interagency Security Committee Risk Management Process.  OIG identified multiple buildings that had inoperable VSS and IDS (collectively, “security equipment”) that failed to meet the NLOP.  OIG also reported that the agency did not have the necessary maintenance agreements in place to provide operation and maintenance services for these security systems.  In accordance with the Interagency Security Committee Risk Management Process (2022), it is the responsibility of the occupant agency in a single-occupant facility and the Facility Security Committee (“FSC”) in a multi-occupant facility to provide the necessary funding for the installation, operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of these security equipment items.  For purposes of this order, the term “security equipment” is expressly limited to the VSS and IDS in the common areas and exterior of the facility.    

Responsibility for security equipment is also addressed in a Memorandum of Agreement by and between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and GSA dated April 27, 2023 (the “MOA”).    

1. Under the MOA, in existing facilities, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Federal Protective Service (“FPS”) is responsible for the concept design, installation, testing, maintenance, repair, and lifecycle replacement of the security equipment approved by the FSC or the occupant agency in a single-occupant agency facility and funded by the occupant agency or agencies.  
2. For new construction and major repairs and alterations, GSA, in coordination with FPS, is responsible for purchasing and installing the security equipment that is approved by the FSC or the occupant agency in a single-occupant agency facility and funded by the occupant agency or agencies, as part of the project.  Upon completion of the project, GSA transfers custody and control of the security equipment, as well as responsibility for its operation, maintenance, repair, and collection of funds for the operation, maintenance and repair of this equipment, to FPS.
3. For projects below the prospectus threshold, FPS is responsible for purchasing and installing the security equipment (excluding Physical Access Control) approved and funded by the occupant agencies through the FSC or the occupant agency in a single-occupant agency facility.  GSA coordinates with FPS during the design phase and acquisition process to confirm the compatibility and interoperability of the equipment.

3.  Scope and Applicability

This order applies to all of GSA’s federally owned facilities and the VSS and IDS installed by either FPS or GSA, as applicable, and operated, maintained and repaired by FPS.  This order is not intended to and does not interfere with or impede the legal authorities or independence of the OIG or the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals.