Mister Kleen recently attended the 2013 Federal Property Summit in Washington, DC, hosted by BisNow. The event attracted many high profile real estate professionals and a couple of well-known keynote speakers: Dan Tangherlini, Acting Administrator of the GSA; and Norman Dong, Deputy Controller of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

The event also featured a panel discussion from several senior level executives of prestigious firms such as Tom Finan, Managing Director of Trammell Crow Company; Joseph Brennan, Managing Director at Jones Lang LaSalle; Mary Owens Test, Senior Vice-President at CBRE; and more.

The panel discussion provided an excellent insight into several areas of efficiencies and concerns for federal properties in the DC Metro region. Several initiatives, such as the OMB directive to implement a “Freeze the Footprint” policy for federal agencies to make more efficient use of the Government’s real estate assets, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) to support better real estate management, co-habitation or location among federal agencies, and telework were addressed.

Predictions as to where the FBI Headquarters will be relocating were also made at the event. It was a toss up between Maryland and Virginia for several of the panel speakers.

Despite challenges with looming budget cuts, there are opportunities available for federal agencies to enact. The GSA, EPA, and HUD are good examples of federal agencies that embrace efficiencies proven to work in the private sector, and are setting the tone for other agencies to follow suit.

On top of these proven efficiencies, many government agencies embrace additional avenues for improving performance and lower costs. Costs associated with personnel burden to monitor and escort un-cleared contractors at high-security sites are one example.

Today, many high security facilities are turning to companies that provide them with cleared workers to service the facilities. By going this route, these facilities can reduce the amount of labor expenses associated with escorting un-cleared workers, and can increase their personnel efficiencies as cleared government staff can focus solely on daily workflow operations that are essential in achieving government mission critical priorities.

At Mister Kleen, we assist high security facilities in providing janitorial workers who possess the appropriate clearances to service their building, thus removing several administrative burdens on the client’s end. Learn more about our high-security cleaning services here.

Where do YOU see the FBI Headquarters relocating?