February 14, 2001

Honorable Ted Stevens
Chairman
Committee on Appropriations
S-128 Capitol Building
Washington, DC 20510-6025

Dear Mr. Chairman:

Pursuant to Public Law 106-554, I am providing the following information related to water and sewer services provided to the offices of the Small Business Administration (SBA) located in the District of Columbia.

SBA has two office locations in the District of Columbia. The SBA Central Office occupies leased space at 409 3^rd Street SW., and the SBA Washington District Office occupies leased space at 1110 Vermont Avenue NW. The space at both locations is provided through leases administered by the General Services Administration. Both lease agreements provide that the building owners are responsible for payment of water and sewer services. According to SBA’s Assistant Administrator for Administration, although the specific locations have changed, water and sewer services have been provided to SBA offices located in the District of Columbia through similar arrangements since prior to 1990.

Because SBA is not directly responsible for payment of water and sewer costs for its offices located in the District of Columbia, it is my understanding, based on information provided by the General Services Administration, that your Committee does not want quarterly reports on the promptness of payment for those services. If this is not the case or if you desire additional information, please contact me at (202) 205-6586 or Robert G. Seabrooks, Assistant Inspector General for Auditing, at (202) 205-6580.

Sincerely,

Phyllis K. Fong

Inspector General

cc: Honorable Robert C. Byrd

Ranking Minority Member