GovernmentExecutive.com

The General Services Administration announced today that it's making some changes in one of its key line sof business: acquiring real estate on behalf of federal agencies.

Here's the agency's full announcement (it's not online yet, as far as I can tell):

WASHINGTON—The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), in order to better fulfill its mission of providing world-class workspace to federal workers at best value to the American taxpayer, has added a new Office of Real Estate Acquisition, the agency announced today.

“As the government’s premier procurement agency, GSA must be vigilant in searching for ways to improve the way we acquire and manage federal assets,” said Administrator Lurita Doan. “This initiative will ensure that our real estate program is managed in the most effective and efficient manner possible.”

The Office of Real Estate Acquisition is responsible for the strategic direction for national real estate issues, including implementing the National Broker Contract, and the lease delegation program. Chip Morris, the former PBS senior legal counsel, was named Assistant Commissioner of the new office.

“This organizational shift is important because it more effectively responds to the fact that the amount of space we lease to house federal agencies has almost quadrupled over the last four decades,” said David Winstead, Commissioner of GSA’s Public Buildings Service. “Real estate is the backbone of GSA.”