§ 101-20.002-1 - Government-owned buildings.

(a) GSA will provide space alterations, repairs, and improvements sufficient to meet the mission requirements of occupant agencies, including mechanical and electrical systems which meet nationally recognized standards, within the limitations of available funding. When alterations are required, alterations which are essential for performance of agency missions or which improve the utilization rate shall be given priority over other alterations. Alterations solely for decorative or non-essential purposes shall be avoided.

(b) GSA will ensure that space assigned to agencies is safe and that employees and visitors are not exposed to unnecessary risks.

(c) Buildings will be cleaned and maintained at a service level equivalent to that normally furnished commercially in similar space.

(d) GSA will make every effort to provide or arrange for a reasonable amount of protective services to ensure the physical security of occupants and visitors, to safeguard the Government's property interests, and to maintain order.

(e) GSA shall ensure that physically handicapped persons will have ready access to space assigned to occupant agencies. GSA shall provide building standards and shall prescribe and enforce appropriate guidelines in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations and executive orders.

(f) GSA is responsible for ensuring the availability of parking spaces for officials needs. Parking priorities are as established in § 101-20.104.

(g) Services in addition to those normally provided in the commercial sector shall be arranged by GSA on a reimbursable basis, as provided in § 101-20.106.

(h) GSA may, by agreement with occupant agencies, delegate authority to perform specified functions with respect to the operation, maintenance or repair of GSA-assigned space.

(i) GSA will maintain a comprehensive energy management program to reduce energy consumption and costs in Federal buildings. GSA will apply energy-efficient and economical operating and maintenance procedures, will make cost-effective repairs and alterations, will incorporate design features which will minimize the life cycle cost of buildings, and will ensure continuity of services through contingency planning.

(j) Occupant agencies shall assist in the management of buildings by exercising economy in the use of utilities, by observing professional standards of neatness and cleanliness, and by taking all reasonable precautions to avoid the risk of accidents and fires. Occupant agencies shall also document and report to GSA any hazardous or unhealthy conditions in GSA-assigned space.

(k) Consultations with occupant agencies and their safety representatives will be held whenever substantial alterations or repairs are proposed to be undertaken, or when GSA proposes to make significant changes to the standard level of services. GSA will consider the comments of occupant agencies before final decisions are made. GSA will make every reasonable effort to involve representatives of occupant agencies in the planning for such proposed alterations, repairs, and changes in services.

(l) It is the general policy of GSA to provide space and systems which substantially conform to nationally recognized standards, when applicable. GSA may, however, adopt other standards for space and systems in Federally-controlled facilities in order to conform to diverse statutory requirements, to implement cost-reduction efforts, or to better effect overall Government objectives.