Federal Protective Service: Actions Needed to Address Critical Guard Oversight and Information System Problems

The Federal Protective Service (FPS) oversees security at thousands of federal buildings, but major issues in guard oversight and technology hinder its effectiveness. FPS contract guards failed to detect prohibited items nearly half the time in covert tests, exposing security gaps. A tracking system meant to improve oversight, Post Tracking System (PTS), is plagued with delays and technical failures, forcing FPS to rely on outdated paper logs. This lack of real-time monitoring has led to office closures at key agencies like the IRS and Social Security Administration. The GAO recommends urgent improvements in guard training, data collection, and a decision on whether to fix or replace the troubled PTS system.