Real Property Acquisition Practice
Streamlined Purchase Process
Department of Labor, 2002
Does your agency need a more efficient real property acquisition process to compete in the real estate markets around the country today? Job Corps did! It had been acquiring real property according to the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) Real Property Acquisition Procedures until the mid-1990’s when it became apparent a change in procedure was needed. Job Corps was not able to compete with private sector buyers for the purchase of properties because ETA’s procedures required too much time before a signed purchase agreement could be presented to a property owner.
To be more competitive, Job Corps reviewed existing procedures to determine how the real property acquisition process could be streamlined. Job Corps adopted the use of industry-like agreements to the acquisition process, which helped to make property owners more responsive to Job Corps’ bids for their property. There is increased organizational involvement throughout the process. Representatives from the region and local level are included in the acquisition process early. This has greatly improved the level of team involvement and commitment in the acquisition process.A key change to Job Corps’ real property acquisition practice is the bundling and streamlining of the many distinct real estate activities. As a result of these changes, Job Corps realized a savings of approximately one million dollars from the owner’s asking price on the purchase of a property in Cleveland, OH, known as “Water Tower Park.” The coordination effort to address community outreach, which determines the surrounding communities’ interest in having Job Corps as a neighbor, was also successful for the Water Tower Park property because of the increased team involvement.
For more information, contact Mr. Michael O’Malley at (202) 693-3108 or via e-mail at momalley@doleta.gov
