The FCC’s planned move to smaller, less expensive real estate is getting closer. The agency’s lease for the Portals II building at 445 12th Street SW, Washington, D.C. expired on October 15, 2017. In June 2018, the General Services Administration extended the FCC’s lease at the Portals until November 30, 2020.
In 2015, Congress approved a prospectus for a replacement lease for a 15-year term that would reduce FCC headquarters’ square footage by approximately 30 percent and lower the overall rent. The GSA estimates the move will save the federal government up to $119 million over the 15 years of the new lease. The GSA conducted a competitive lease procurement and awarded the contract to a new lessor, according to the latest FCC budget request to Congress.
The new lease requires the Commission to move to a newly built facility in fiscal year 2020. It must begin paying rent at the new building when construction is substantially complete.
The GSA estimated total moving costs at $70,971,489. In FYs 2016 and 2017, as part of the Commission’s budget request, the agency requested a total of $51,358,497 and $19,612,992, respectively, from both regulatory fees and auctions program funds. Congress appropriated a total amount of $68,225,489 from both regulatory fees and auctions program funds. As of September 30, 2018, the Commission has obligated approximately $3.6 million of the total funds allocated for the move. Comments? Email Us.
March 20, 2019
Reader Interactions