The Department of Justice (DOJ) adopted the methods used by the Department of Energy (DOE) in its Best Practice 97-PRA-008, DOE Headquarters Space Consolidation for its own consolidation into the Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Main Justice Building. The completion of RFK Modernization Project in June 2004, along with expiring leases in thirteen different locations in Washington, DC, between April 2003 and December 2006, present an opportunity for DOJ to stabilize rent rates, achieve partial consolidation of the Offices Boards and Divisions (OBD), and improve security for hundreds of employees. The DOJ Office Consolidation Plan involves the backfill of RFK and the replacement of the 1,500,000 square feet of expiring leased space in DOJ’s inventory.
DOJ has been working with GSA for several years to address this pending wave of expiring leases and the concurrent completion of the RFK Modernization Project. The current plan is predicated upon the following:
- The RFK Modernization project is ending and DOJ components must move back to RFK;
- Rent stability, management efficiencies and improved security are best achieved in fewer, larger buildings;
- Good business practices dictate planning for the 13 expiring leased locations; and
- Expiring leases must be competed, so many relocations will be necessary even if no consolidation is sought.
The expiring leases provide an historic opportunity to consolidate the litigating divisions, achieve long term cost avoidance in rent, and improve security for DOJ employees. For cost considerations, rather than moving everyone to new buildings DOJ will try to retain its largest buildings and reduce the numbers of employees to move. Excluding the relocations to RFK, approximately 4,600 employees are affected by expiring leases. Of these, only 46 percent or approximately 2,100 are scheduled to move.
This plan maintains single tenant, DOJ locations close to RFK; improves security for small components; limits move and other costs by backfilling existing DOJ space and reusing existing space configurations; and achieves rent avoidance by releasing several class A locations and maintaining lower rent, class B locations. Other benefits include improved internal workflow processes, streamlined buildings management functions, improved space utilization, and increased shared services.
For more information, contact Mr. Adam Bodner at (202) 307-1867 or via e-mail at adam.h.bodner@usdoj.gov
