The GSA, the federal agency overseeing government IT services and real estate assets, is facing serious complaints about the condition of its new office space. Employees relocated to the OPM building have reported a caved-in ceiling, rodent problems, and discolored water, raising concerns about workplace safety.
Photographs from the site show a third-floor men’s room toilet covered in debris from a collapsed ceiling, a large hole in the same ceiling, and a dead mouse in a trap. Workers said the presence of vermin was not entirely surprising, as many federal buildings reportedly deal with pests, but the ceiling collapse became a breaking point. A sign posted in the office advises staff filling water bottles to “run the water without your bottle for 5-10 seconds and wait for the water to run clear.”
“We’ve all been through a lot, but this really made me finally understand that they don’t care about us,” said one GSA employee who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. “We’re left wondering what else is going to collapse or break.”
How DOGE Reshaped the Federal Workforce
The federal workforce has undergone dramatic changes since January 2025 through the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), associated with Elon Musk. DOGE effectively cut tens of thousands of jobs and required remaining staff to commit to in-person schedules, in some cases adopting zero-based budgeting.
The GSA was affected early in the process. Beyond major workforce reductions, the agency rolled out plans to sell hundreds of federal office buildings. A year after the initial cuts, GSA announced plans to hire roughly 400 workers.
A Temporary Home Through 2028
GSA leadership, including administrator Ed Forst, has told employees to expect to work in the OPM building until December 2028. That building itself is slated for “accelerated disposition,” or a quick sale. The agency’s previous location at 1800 F Street is undergoing extensive renovations.
According to a GSA press release, the effort is part of a “government-wide effort to reduce underutilized space and fortify the federal real estate footprint.” GSA and OPM did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
While Musk has stepped back from his public role in the administration, DOGE affiliates have continued working in government, pursuing austerity measures and AI initiatives. Others have returned to the private sector, taking positions in AI, data centers, and manufacturing.
