GSA is one of the three central management agencies in the Federal Government. (The Office of Personnel Management and the Office of Management and Budget are the others.)

GSA Mission: GSA provides policy leadership and expertly managed space, supplies, services, and solutions, at the best value, to enable Federal employees to accomplish their missions. GSA is about great work environments--wherever government works, whether in an office building, a warehouse, a national forest, or a government car. In support of this mission, GSA provides workspace, security, furniture, equipment, supplies, tools, computers, and telephones. GSA also provides travel and transportation services, manages the Federal motor vehicle fleet, oversees telecommuting centers and Federal child care centers, preserves historic buildings, manages a fine arts program, and develops, advocates, and evaluates government wide policy.

History: GSA was established on July 1, 1949 by section 101 of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act as a result of a recommendation by a Presidential commission chaired by former President Herbert Hoover. The commission recommended the consolidation of four small agencies into one agency to avoid "senseless duplication, excess cost, and confusion in handling supplies . . . and providing space."

Since 1949, GSA has housed federal workers and provided products and services to support the important work of government throughout the country. GSA does it by negotiating contracts that account for $40 billion of goods and services bought annually from the private sector. GSA employs about 14,000 people and has an annual budget of nearly $16 billion.