Ames Research Center’s Lease Management Practices

View Report

Date Issued

Thursday, August 4, 2022

Submitting OIG

National Aeronautics and Space Administration OIG

Other Participating OIGs

National Aeronautics and Space Administration OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Report Number

IG-22-015

Report Description

NASA’s Ames Research Center—located in California’s Silicon Valley—is utilizing leases in an attempt to transform the Center into a shared-use research and development campus by collaborating with private industry, academia, government, and nonprofit organizations. In this audit, we assessed the effectiveness of Ames’ lease management practices.

Report Type

Audit

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Open Recommendations

This report has 7 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
1	No	$0	$0
Recommendation 1:We recommend the Assistant Administrator for Strategic Infrastructure:1. Conduct cyclical reviews (no less than once every 5 years) of the Ames lease process to ensure compliance with federal and NASA requirements.
2	No	$0	$0
Recommendation 2:We recommend the Assistant Administrator for Strategic Infrastructure in coordination with the Chief Financial Officer: Update applicable real estate policies and NASA-wide guidance to enhance requirements and procedures to comply with EUL authority and to require maintaining appropriate documentation, documenting decisions, and fostering transparent coordination and communication with internal and external stakeholders in a timely manner.
3	No	$0	$0
Recommendation 3: We recommend the Assistant Administrator for Strategic Infrastructure in coordination with the Chief Financial Officer: Update applicable real estate policies and NASA-wide guidance to enhance requirements and standardize applicable financial practices (such as the benefit and cost analysis, life-cycle cost analysis, and audits of tenants’ books and records when required) associated with leases.
5	No	$0	$0
Recommendation 5: We recommend the Ames Center Director: Implement written procedures in the lease process to ensure compliance with federal and NASA requirements applicable, but not limited to, timely involvement of the RPAO, competition, life-cycle cost analysis, fair market value assessments, certifications, and termination clauses as appropriate.
4	No	$0	$0
Recommendation 4: The Assistant Administrator for Strategic Infrastructure in coordination with the Assistant Administrator for Protective Services: Update applicable real estate policies and NASA-wide guidance to incorporate applicable security requirements and agreement clauses in leases.
9	No	$0	$0
Recommendation 9: We recommended the Assistant Administrator for Protective Services, in coordination with the Ames Protective Services Office Chief and Ames Center Director: Within the next 3 years, conduct a Center-wide security vulnerability risk assessment, including the districts outside Ames Campus, to ensure compliance with federal and NASA requirements.
10	No	$0	$0
Recommendation 10: We recommended the Assistant Administrator for Protective Services, in coordination with the Ames Protective Services Office Chief and Ames Center Director: Identify and implement mitigation strategies and resource requirements to address the security vulnerability assessment risks.