S. 1171 — COST of Relocations Act

This section requires a federal agency, prior to submitting a covered relocation to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) or other reviewing entity, to (1) conduct a benefit-cost analysis consistent with OMB Circular A-4 (as in effect on September 17, 2003) and (2) submit an unredacted report on the analysis—including anticipated outcomes, metrics, employee engagement and stakeholder plans, implementation strategy, risk assessments, and mission effects—to the agency's Office of Inspector General (IG). The agency's report must be published publicly in redacted form excluding proprietary information; the IG must review it and, within 90 days, submit to specified congressional committees (Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and Environment and Public Works of the Senate; Oversight and Government Reform and Transportation and Infrastructure of the House) a report detailing the analysis data, conclusions, adherence to Circular A-4, and—if relocating from the National Capital Region (i.e., District of Columbia plus specified Maryland and Virginia counties and cities per 40 U.S.C. §8702)—a comparison of real estate options in the region versus the destination. (Thus, no covered relocation may proceed without these reviews.) A covered relocation includes an administrative redelegation of functions, agency move, or combination thereof that, alone or with related actions, affects more than the lesser of 5% or 100 positions by moving them outside employees' commuting areas or to another agency's jurisdiction.