Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Department of Administrative Services (ASDAS), which oversees maintenance and security of the A.P Lutali Executive Office Building (EOB) has been allocated $1.82 million in American Rescue Act Plan (ARPA). However, no actual usage of award funds has happened as of June 30, 2023, according to 2023 Recovery Plan Performance Report issued last week by the Oversight Office to the U.S Treasury.

The ASDAS share comes under the “Public Buildings CDC Compliance Program,” and was allocated a total of $12 million, administered by the ASG’s American Recovery Plan Oversight Office. ASDAS is among the 10 executive branch agencies that received funding under this program.

The 2023 Recovery Plan Performance Report issued last week by the Oversight Office to the U.S Treasury, explained that the ASDAS project is designed to advance the EOB and ASDAS Division facilities towards U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) building compliance standards.

Improvements are to include public information signs; a public monitor and/or public wi-fi app; stockpiling of PPE personal protection equipment and materials; insect and rodent deterrents; a security officer and EOB/ASDAS personnel training and supplies; public interface partition barriers; HRV/MERV or HEPA filters and UVGI lights for in place air conditioners; structural repair of rooftop and air channels; and, the acquisition of a new central HVAC unit equipped with internal UVGI light filters.

These measures will improve awareness and safety of ASG employees and the general public at the EOB and ASDAS Divisions, according to the report.

Of the total funding allocation, ASDAS has budgeted more than $1.56 million for Contractual Services and the objectives of this project include public interface partition barriers; HRV/MERV or HEPA filters and UVGI lights for in place air conditioners; structural repair of rooftop and air channels; and, the acquisition of a new central HVAC unit equipped with internal UVGI light filters.

The project also has potential to advance climate change mitigation via a seawater cooling HVAC system option, according to ASDAS, which has budgeted $251,546 for supplies and expenses.

“Key outcome goals are to provide safe working environments and safe public government building services that prevent airborne and surface contact with COVID-19 viruses,” said ASDAS in the Performance Report, adding that progress has been cautious, however, and no actual usage of award funds was made as of June 30, 2023.

Oversight Office documents released early last year, cite the EOB as a good example of a public building that needs major renovations and improvements.

Constructed in 1991, the building has long standing issues due to poor maintenance and environmental factors. These issues are considered health hazards that pose high risk to ASG workers and the general public, the document said. 

They include on-going problems with rodent infestation, poor ventilation systems, water leakage, mold growth, poor indoor air quality, among others.

There is high density in office spaces due to limited available space for expansion, which creates challenges to meet CDC standards and recommendations.

Samoa News will report in future editions on the rest of the ASG recipients of compliance program funding.