In response to an overwhelming increase in personnel and space needs of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), GSA and INS entered into a joint partnership. The main goal of this partnership was to develop new ways of working together to accommodate the increasing demand for workspace and to improve the collaborative project delivery process. This partnership came to be known as the GSA/INS Gateway Program.
The mission statement of the GSA/INS National Gateway Program partnership is “We, the GSA/INS partners, will cooperate, trust, and communicate openly with each other with an attitude of mutual respect and honesty so that we deliver quality work environments on time and within scope and budget.” INS and GSA have been working together in a formalized fashion and to meet this mission statement.
Both agencies entered into a memorandum of agreement to define the real estate services to be provided, the scope and types of projects to be delivered, and how GSA and INS would be accomplish projects together.
GSA agreed to modify its organizational structure, on a virtual basis, to mirror INS. This vastly simplified INS’s ability to obtain information from GSA. As a result of the Gateway Partnership, INS is now able to contact a single GSA associate to order services, obtain project information and status and resolve problems.
INS and GSA also developed several unique real estate tools for project managers and realty specialists:
- Lease acquisition guide
- Customized occupancy agreements and solicitation for offers
- Space allocation standards
- Reimbursable Work Authorization search system
Project managers and real estate specialists from both agencies have been trained on these tools and they have been posted on web sites for easy access. Communication protocols are in place and being utilized to timely escalate issues in need of resolution for both agencies at all levels. The real estate tools and the defined roles and responsibilities for all involved have led to better communication and project accomplishment for both agencies.
The real estate tools and the defined roles and responsibilities for all involved have led to better communication and project execution. The end result has been a better understanding of the customer’s needs, and ultimately workplaces that improve INS’ ability to carry out its mission.For more information, contact Mr. Mike Dunbar at (617) 565-6228 or via e-mail at mike.dunbar@gsa.gov
