76 



Appciuiiz rv 



Objective*. Scope, uid Metkodolocx 



addition to funding limitations, their niaintenance and repair programs 

 have been constrained by (1) staffing ceilings for facilities personnel; 

 (2) procurement requirements that lengthen the time or add to the cost 

 associated with hiring contraictors to replace m^or building systems, 

 renovate existing laboratory space, or construct new facilities; and (3) 

 procurement requirements that delay purchases of critical spare parts. In 

 addition, epa and noaa officials cited problems with leased laboratory 

 facilities — in many cases, they pay for maintenance, repairs, and 

 renovations because of a lease's terms. Furthermore, epa officials told us 

 that OMB effectively has made leasing new laboratory space unrealistic by 

 requiring that an agency set aside funding for the duration of a lease, 

 known as "scoring," before the lease is signed. 



