Bill Overview
Title: SMART Leasing Act
Description: This bill authorizes the General Services Administration (GSA) to establish a pilot program that allows federal agencies to lease underutilized properties with GSA approval and to use the rent payments to help fund capital projects and facilities maintenance. The GSA may not enter into a lease under the pilot program unless it certifies that the lease will not have a negative impact on its mission or that of the applicable federal agency. The bill provides for a maximum of six leases under the program during each fiscal year, with a term of up to 15 years.
Sponsors: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Target Audience
Population: People interacting with federally-leased properties or employed in federal property management.
Estimated Size: 9500
- The bill allows for federal agencies to lease underutilized properties, which could impact government employees as well as contractors who handle property management and maintenance services.
- Federal employees working in or around these properties may experience changes in their work environment or be relocated.
- Individuals living near or using the leased properties may experience alterations in property access or use.
- Given the focus on federal properties and infrastructure, the impact mainly applies to those associated with or in proximity to these properties.
Reasoning
- The policy is mainly aimed at improving the utilization of federal properties by leasing underutilized ones and using the rent for maintenance and capital projects. This will have a larger impact on government employees, contractors managing these properties, and local residents or businesses nearby.
- Budget constraints limit the policy to six leases annually, which means it will not affect a large number of people directly. Therefore, the interviews should include both individuals who are closely connected to federal properties and those with minimal connection.
- The interviews will explore the current wellbeing scores and projected changes with and without the policy over time to see if the improvements in property management translate to better societal or personal outcomes.
Simulated Interviews
Federal Property Manager (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could help direct more resources towards maintaining properties efficiently.
- It's crucial that the leasing does not interfere with government operations.
- If successful, this could serve as a model for broader implementation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Civil Engineer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The initiative could bring more projects my way, especially those focused on upgrading facilities.
- It's a good opportunity to push for greener practices in building management.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Federal Contractor (Denver, CO)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any potential to secure more consistent work is welcome.
- I'm optimistic supervision and monitoring will ensure fair practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Local Business Owner (Seattle, WA)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The added infrastructure and traffic could hurt my business if not managed well.
- Although, improved facilities may increase foot traffic.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Urban Planner (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 31 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Smart utilization of underutilized properties aligns with sustainable urban planning.
- Renting out to responsible parties can support essential facilities better.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Community Advocate (Miami, FL)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Leasing could mean more community access to well-maintained spaces than government-held neglect.
- Transparency in the leasing process will dictate its success or failure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Environmental Scientist (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Leases should ensure that upgrades are environmentally friendly and sustainable.
- Amendments should incorporate ecosystem-friendly technology.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Retired Federal Employee (Boston, MA)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could preserve buildings that need more attention and maintenance.
- Worry about property mismanagement affecting community services.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Federal Agency Technician (Houston, TX)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Careful integration of leases might not disrupt daily agency functions.
- Better maintenance means fewer technical downtimes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Freelance Writer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Smart Leasing Act will generate storylines on improved government transparency.
- Examining public leasing for a balanced perspective will be interesting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 2: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 3: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 5: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 10: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 100: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Key Considerations
- Potential challenges in finding suitable lease agreements that benefit both the government and private entities.
- Ensuring that the leased properties continue to meet strategic objectives of federal agencies.
- Managing potential community and environmental impacts of property leasing.