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Report Finds Fault with FBI Site Selection Process but Not with Greenbelt Site

A federal inspector general’s report has raised concerns about the selection process used by the General Services Administration (GSA) in choosing Maryland over Virginia as the site for a new FBI headquarters. However, the report did not challenge the final decision to place the headquarters in Greenbelt, Maryland, rather than Springfield, Virginia.

Findings Highlight Selection Process Issues

The 54-page report, released Monday, details flaws in the GSA’s decision-making process. Investigators found that the agency altered the weighting of key factors without clear justification and failed to maintain communication records properly.

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) argued the findings validate Virginia officials’ concerns that the process was “fundamentally tainted.” According to Connolly, important cost-related criteria were manipulated in a way that unfairly disadvantaged Virginia’s bid.

“The GSA cooked the books,” Connolly said in a statement. “They provided inaccurate information, overruled career civil servants, and ignored critical criteria without sufficient rationale.”

FBI headquarters Washington

One of the most concerning revelations was the GSA’s failure to preserve text messages between officials involved in the selection process. The report noted this lapse makes it difficult to fully understand the extent of potential missteps.

Maryland Officials Defend Greenbelt Selection

While Virginia officials criticized the process, Maryland leaders saw the report as reinforcing Greenbelt’s suitability.

A joint statement from Gov. Wes Moore, Sens. Angela Alsobrooks and Chris Van Hollen, and Reps. Steny Hoyer and Glenn Ivey emphasized that the report found no conflict of interest in selecting Greenbelt. They pointed to the site’s cost efficiency, strong transit access, and construction feasibility as key advantages.

“The Greenbelt site continues to offer the lowest cost to the American taxpayer, the greatest transit accessibility, and the most certain construction schedule,” the statement read. “Nothing in this report disputes the GSA’s selection.”

Shifting Criteria Raised Questions

A major point of contention in the report was how the GSA changed the relative importance of certain selection criteria. Initially, “FBI mission”—which included proximity to existing FBI facilities—accounted for 35% of the decision, while cost weighed in at just 10%.

That changed after Congress required GSA to consult with Maryland and Virginia officials on factors such as sustainability and equity. Equity became a significant component following a 2021 executive order from President Joe Biden emphasizing fairness in federal projects.

While Virginia officials argue the adjustments unfairly benefitted Maryland, the GSA maintains that the updated criteria better reflected national priorities. However, the inspector general’s report found the agency did not provide adequate reasoning for the shift, leaving room for continued debate.

FBI Headquarters Relocation Still on Track

Despite the controversy, the relocation process is moving forward. The current FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., has long been deemed inadequate due to its deteriorating condition. Plans for a new headquarters have been in the works for years, with Greenbelt now positioned as the selected site barring further challenges.

The GSA has yet to respond in detail to the report’s findings, but officials are expected to address the concerns in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Virginia leaders may push for additional scrutiny or legislative action to contest the decision.

For now, Maryland leaders remain confident in the outcome. “We look forward to welcoming the FBI to Maryland and moving this project forward,” their statement concluded.

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