President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Proposes Investments in Infrastructure, Security and Government Efficiency

WASHINGTON – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Acting Administrator Timothy Horne announced critical investments that are a part of the President’s fiscal year 2018 budget request. The $10.5 billion budget proposed for the agency focuses on ensuring efficient and effective operations supporting Americans with improvements in real estate, security and information technology systems.

“The President’s budget includes investments to bolster the efficiency, effectiveness and security of the federal government,” said GSA Acting Administrator Horne. “The proposed funding will allow GSA to enhance our nation’s infrastructure and security in both real space and cyberspace. Once the budget is enacted, coupled with our government-wide acquisition services, GSA will be positioned to better provide the services and solutions that allow the government to focus on mission-critical activities and more efficiently serve the American people.”

The proposed budget reflects the Administration’s commitment to strategic investments in our nation’s infrastructure and national security, as well as addressing the government’s common information technology challenges. “In addition to investments requested through the President’s budget, GSA will continue to support key government-wide acquisition goals of speed to value, reducing burden and unnecessary duplication, and improving small business utilization,” added Horne.

The budget request includes $9.95 billion to support the operations of the Public Buildings Service and make necessary investments in GSA’s real estate portfolio. To enhance our nation’s security and commerce, the proposed budget provides $489 million for land port of entry (LPOE) construction projects in New York, California, and Arizona as well as $18 million for a LPOE repair and alterations project in Washington State These LPOE investments will enhance lawful commerce as well as provide the infrastructure capacity to fulfill traffic demands and support federal inspection agencies in their missions of securing our nation’s borders. The request also includes $135 million for the Department of Homeland Security headquarters consolidation project at St. Elizabeths campus in Washington, D.C., to continue the construction of infrastructure at the campus, which will reduce duplication in leased space and enhance mission effectiveness.

GSA is requesting $278 million for three new initiatives – in technology, real estate management and federal permitting – that will promote government efficiency.

To address the challenge of effectively delivering information technology across the federal government, the President’s budget includes $228 million to support the establishment of the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF). The TMF will provide a central mechanism for retiring and replacing antiquated legacy IT systems that are not cost-effective or pose security risks. The fund will align upfront funding, high-level management and oversight, and technical expertise to enhance the ability of the government to protect sensitive data, reduce costs, and deliver services to the public.

The FY 2018 request includes $40 million to support the establishment of the Asset Proceeds and Space Management Fund, which will implement the recommendations of the Public Buildings Reform Board established in the Federal Asset Sales and Transfers Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-287). The Board, GSA, and other federal agencies will work collaboratively to improve the efficiency of the federal real property inventory.

In addition, GSA is requesting $10 million for the Federal Permitting Improvements Steering Council (FPISC). The council will work with permit-issuing agencies to improve coordination and provide support relating to large infrastructure projects that require federal authorization or environmental reviews. In addition, the Council manages the Federal Permitting Dashboard, an online tool for federal agencies, project directors, and interested members of the public to track the federal government’s environmental review and authorization process for large or complex infrastructure projects.

The budget request also includes $231 million for GSA’s current appropriated activities. This includes:

• $53.5 million for the Office of Government-wide Policy to develop and analyze administrative policies and oversee important guidelines such as the Federal Travel Regulations and Federal Acquisition Regulations and reporting efforts including the Federal Real Property Profile.
• $45.6 million for the real and personal property disposal programs, Office of the Administrator, and other enterprise-wide management functions in the Operating Expenses account.
• $8.8 million for the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals to resolve contract disputes between Government contractors and agencies under the Contract Disputes Act.
• $65.0 million to support the independent activities of the GSA Inspector General to identify and correct management and administrative issues within GSA.
• $4.8 million to fulfill GSA’s statutory responsibilities under the Former Presidents Act.
• $53.7 million for the Federal Citizen Services Fund to support programs and activities that enhance cybersecurity and citizens’ ability to securely interact with federal agencies.

Additional Resources

• FY18 Congressional Justification
• FY18 New Construction, Acquisition, and Major Repair and Alteration Projects [PDF – 156.49 KB]

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The mission of GSA is to deliver best value in real estate, acquisition and technology services to government and the American people. The agency delivers this commitment by focusing on three strategic goals: providing savings to federal departments and agencies; improving the efficiency of operations and service delivery; and delivering excellent customer service.