Follow Up Evaluation of the Library of Congress Visitor Experience Master Plan (VEMP)

What Office of Inspector General Evaluated

• Determine whether the Library’s Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) and Visitor Experience Master Plan are on schedule and within budget.
• Evaluate whether cost estimates are reasonable, current, and updated with actual costs as project progresses.
• Assess whether the Library is on target to raise the private funds pledged.

What Office of Inspector General Found

• The continuously changing schedule for the Visitor Experience Master Plan project limits the ability to determine adherence to project milestones.
• Cost estimates exceeded funding and were incomplete, continuously fluctuating due to design changes and scheduling compression.
• The Library is on target to raise private funds pledged to support the Visitor Experience Master Plan project, surpassing the original goal.

What Office of Inspector General Recommends

• Finalize design documentation for the two remaining feature galleries (Youth Center and Orientation Gallery) with the individual agencies’ final approval by an agreed-upon date to expedite the finalization of design documentation for both the Library and Architect of the Capitol, to lessen the risk of additional cost escalation on the Visitor Experience Master Plan project.
• Document and publish definitions of key terms specific to the design and construction of the Visitor Experience Master Plan project.
• Document and publish policies, procedures, definitions, and expectations specific to the Library’s exhibition design and fabrication methodology.
• Document and publish an intergovernmental construction communication plan including roles and responsibilities for Library personnel.
• Document and publish expectations for the delivery and execution of final design documentation. Documented expectations for final design documentation could include expected documents, approvals, certifications, timing, and other relevant information that may be necessary to support a final design.
• Implement standing, periodic, working meetings with Architect of the Capitol, the Architect of the Capitol and Library project managers, and Library personnel to discuss and document scheduling changes that will then be reflected in the bi-weekly congressional report and the Visitor Experience Schedule.
• Implement standing, periodic, working meetings with Architect of the Capitol, the Architect of the Capitol and Library project managers, and other Library personnel to discuss and document cost estimation changes as a result of design changes to Visitor Experience Master Plan project cost estimations.
• Continue fundraising efforts from all available sources to support the fundraising goals set for the Visitor Experience Master Plan.