design and programing in 1974 and as such, is not an increase in funding. Previously this function was performed by the Automated Data Management Services activity of the Federal Supply Service and financed through the Automatic Data Processing Fund. A recent reorganization transferred this function to the Office of Administration with financing to continue under the ADP Fund for fiscal year 1973. The remaining $2,331,000 provides for increases of $769,000 in the Equal Employment Opportunity and Contract Compliance programs, and $1,562,000 for other essential program increases, including accounting systems modernization, personnel management, and legal services. We will be pleased to answer any questions which the Committee may wish to ask. Justification of the Budget Estimates GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION Estimates of Appropriations, 1974 INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT The General Services Administration was established July 1, 1949, by section 101 of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (63 Stat. 379), which authorized the transfer to it of previously established agencies engaged in performing functions related to Federal property and records management. Amendments to that Act and Executive Orders have authorized further transfers and added new functions to the GSA mission. GSA serves as the central agency for management, acquisition and disposal of Government real and personal property, construction of public buildings, procurement of common-use supplies and services, acquisition, custody, and disposal of strategic and critical materials, custody of the National Archives, and provision of archival, records, transportation, communications, and public utilities services, and the purchase, lease and maintenance of automatic data processing equipment by Federal agencies. Program operations are grouped under 5 Services and are performed mainly through 10 Regional Offices under Central Office direction and supervision. Basic operations are provided for in 5 operating expense appropriations. Policy direction pertaining to all programs is provided for in an appropriation for the Office of the Administrator. Other major operations such as construction, improvement and repair of buildings, operation of a nationwide system of supply depots, and others are provided for in separate appropriations. In addition, substantial financing is provided by transfers and reimbursements from funds appropriated directly to other agencies of Government for services performed at their request. The reimbursable-type services are financed and accounted for under revolving funds such as the Buildings Management Fund, the General Supply Fund, the Federal Telecommunications Fund, the Automatic Data Processing Fund, and the Working Capital Fund (for centralized duplicating facilities). Financial, budget, personnel, audits, investigations, civil rights, contract compliance and equal employment opportunity functions, office services, management systems, and legal services for all program operations are provided and financed by deposits from funds provided for supported programs, into an Administrative Operations Fund. Historically, GSA has shown a constant growth patter. due to natural expansion in activities and services to other agencies as the size of Government increased and more extensive use of GSA facilities and services by the agencies as they became aware of the quality of service, savings, and economies obtainable. The table which follows shows the comparative growth of its major programs during the period since 1957. |