STATE OIG: State Department and Other Agencies Should Further Explore Opportunities to Save Administrative Costs Overseas

The U.S. government employs more than 23,500 Americans overseas at more than 250 diplomatic and consular posts. These posts require a variety of support services, such as building maintenance and vehicle operations. Agencies may obtain these services, primarily from the Department of State (State), through the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services (ICASS), but participation in most services is voluntary. A 2004 GAO report found that ICASS had not eliminated duplication of support services and that customers generally approved of the quality of ICASS services, but that the level of satisfaction was difficult to quantify.