General Services Administration in the United States

The General Services Administration establishes policy for and provides management
of Government property and records, including construction and operation of
buildings; procurement and distribution of supplies; utilization and disposal of real
and personal property; transportation, travel, fleet, and communications management;
and management of the Governmentwide automatic data processing resources
program.

The General Services Administration (GSA) was established by section 101 of
the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 751).

Civilian Board of Contract Appeals

The Civilian Board of Contract Appeals is responsible for resolving disputes arising
out of contracts between contractors and executive agencies, excluding the
Defense Department, Postal Service, Postal Rate Commission, National
Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Tennessee Valley Authority. The Board also hears and decides requests for review of transportation audit rate
determinations; claims by Federal civilian employees regarding travel
and relocation expenses; claims for the proceeds of the sale of property of
certain Federal civilian employees; cases involving the Indian Self-Determination
and Education Assistance Act and the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation; and
requests for arbitration to resolve disputes between applicants and the Federal
Emergency Management Agency over funding for public assistance applications
arising from the damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

In addition, the Board provides alternative dispute resolution services
to executive agencies in both contract disputes which are the subject of a
contracting officer’s decision and other contract-related disputes. Although the
Board is located within the agency, it functions as an independent tribunal.

For further information, contact the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, General Services Administration, Washington, DC 20405. Phone,
202–606–8800. Internet, http://www.cbca.gsa.gov/.

Governmentwide Policy

The Office of Governmentwide Policy (OGP) collaborates with the Federal community
to develop policies and guidelines for the management of Government property,
technology, and administrative services. OGP’s policymaking authority and policy
support activities encompass the areas covering electronic government and
information technology, acquisition, real property and the workplace, travel,
transportation, personal property, aircraft, Federal motor vehicle fleet, mail,
regulatory information and use of Federal Advisory Committees. OGP also provides leadership to interagency groups and facilitates Governmentwide management
reform through the effective use of performance measures and best practices.

The Office of Technology Strategy provides policy guidance, architectures,
uniform standards, pilots and solutions on electronic business and information
technology to improve Government effectiveness and efficiency. It assists
agencies on IT policy matters such as usability, accommodation, innovative
technologies, security, identity management and authentication. For
further information, call 202–501–0202.

Introduction to General Services Administration

General Services Administration (GSA), independent agency of the U.S. government responsible for the management of property and records belonging to the federal government. The GSA is charged specifically with the construction and operation of buildings; procurement and distribution of supplies; disposal of surplus property; management of government traffic and communications; stockpiling of strategic and critical materials; and management of the government’s automatic data processing resources program. Among the publications issued by the GSA are the Federal Register, a report on the actions of all government agencies published five times a week, and the United States Government Manual, which explains the organization and functions of federal government agencies.

The GSA, established by the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, assumed many functions formerly executed by other government agencies. It is directed by an administrator, who is appointed by the president. Currently it consists of various operating services, including the Public Buildings Service, the Federal Supply Service, the Federal Property Resources Service, and the Information Resources Management Service. In 1984 the GSA’s National Archives and Records Service became an independent agency. See National Archives and Records Administration.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about General Services Administration in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to General Services Administration

General Services Administration in State Statute Topics

Introduction to General Services Administration (U.S.) (State statute topic)

The purpose of General Services Administration is to provide a broad appreciation of the General Services Administration legal topic. Select from the list of U.S. legal topics for information (other than General Services Administration).

Resources

Further Reading

• Information about General Services Administration in the Gale Encyclopedia of American Law.