U.S. General Services Administration
David J. Barram, Administrator
GSA is one of the three central management agencies in the Federal Government. (The Office of Personnel Management and the Office of Management and Budget are the others.)
Our Mission: We provide expertly managed space, supplies, services, and solutions, at the best value, to enable Federal employees to accomplish their missions. GSA is about great work environments--wherever government works, whether in an office building, a warehouse, a national forest, or a government car. In support of this mission, GSA provides workspace, security, furniture, equipment, supplies, tools, computers, and telephones. GSA also provides travel and transportation services, manages the Federal motor vehicle fleet, oversees telecommuting centers and Federal child care centers, preserves historic buildings, manages a fine arts program, and develops, advocates, and evaluates governmentwide policy.
History: GSA was established on July 1, 1949 by section 101 of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act as a result of a recommendation by a Presidential commission chaired by former President Herbert Hoover. The commission recommended the consolidation of four small agencies into one agency to avoid "senseless duplication, excess cost, and confusion in handling supplies . . . and providing space."
Since 1949, GSA has housed federal workers and provided products and services to support the important work of government throughout the country. GSA does it by negotiating contracts that account for $40 billion of goods and services bought annually from the private sector. GSA employs about 15,000 people and has an annual budget of nearly $13 billion.
Administrator: David J. Barram
Components: Public Buildings Service, Federal Supply Service, Federal Technology Service, Office of Governmentwide Policy, eight Staff Offices (Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer, Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs, Enterprise Development, Equal Employment Opportunity, General Counsel, Management Services and Human Resources, and Public Affairs), and two independent offices (Inspector General and Board of Contract Appeals).
Locations: Headquartered in Washington, DC with 11 Regional Offices in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Kansas City, Fort Worth, Denver, San Francisco, Auburn (Washington), and Washington, DC
Employees: 14,526 (January 31, 1997) Find an Employee
Special Programs: GSA helps communities, people with special needs, invests in the environment, and helps the public learn about Federal programs.
