Summary

In response to a congressional request, GAO analyzed the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report on the Social Security Administration's (SSA) Furniture Pilot Program.

GAO found that the OIG report identified several problems with SSA furniture procurement plans, specifically that: (1) all SSA offices did not need new furniture; and (2) SSA had not explored less costly alternatives to purchasing new furniture. GAO noted that, despite these problems, the report concluded that: (1) SSA furniture procurement costs were reasonable; and (2) SSA procured appropriate furniture. GAO also reported that OIG: (1) believed that changes to SSA policies and procedures would enhance efforts to upgrade furniture and could result in cost savings; and (2) recommended that SSA take several actions to adequately determine its furniture needs, including evaluating the current condition of each office and developing a schedule for renovating offices.