The Office of Real Property Programs (ORPP) primary mission is to support the DOC Operating Units in the real property acquisition, disposal, utilization, reporting, and management policies as promulgated through the Real Property Management Manual.  By serving as the Department’s technical advisor, ORPP also maintains real property oversight through implementation of various Government-wide real property programs and initiatives, including Departmental Capital Planning and the Federal Real Property Profile (FRPP) submissions.

Technical Advice and Assistance

Federal real property is complex. ORPP serves as the Department’s real property subject matter expert with a staff having a combined 65 years of hands-on real property and financial experience available for the DOC community. Providing actual solutions to real property issues and questions that develop is the mission. ORPP participates in Departmental reviews of GSA prospectus level projects as well as providing continuous support to the DOC Senior Real Property Officer, in accordance with Executive Order 13327.

Real Property Policy

ORPP develops and coordinates real property policy (acquisition, disposal, utilization and management)    with the DOC Operating Units as promulgated through the DOC Real Property Management Manual.  This document serves as the underlying policy for DOC real property. Revisions to the document are in the works so check back soon.

Government-wide Real Property Initiatives

ORPP coordinates implementation of Government-wide real property programs for the acquisition, management, reporting, utilization, and disposal of real property such as the Federal Real Property Profile Management System (FRPP MS) submissions and Capital Planning . Effective Department-wide capital planning efforts offer facility consolidation and cost-reduction opportunities in the post-pandemic world.

ORPP also serves as the Departmental point of contact for real property policy matters with counterparts and external entities, such as the General Services Administration (GSA), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the Department of Justice (DOJ). 

ORPP assists the DOC Operating Units in entering information into the GSA system of record. This is required for all space affiliated with a GSA Delegation or Occupancy Agreement. It provides users with real-time access to ongoing projects and associated financial information.

OMB Exhibit A-54

ORPP coordinates annually with the Operating Units on the submission of the OMB Exhibit A-54 document identifying future budgeted rent estimates. Staff work closely with the Operating Units in the analysis and identification of mission need of building space and in the reconciliation of final costs.  

Real Property Contracting Officer Warrant Program

The Office of Real Property Programs oversees Real Property Contracting Officer Warrant Program ensuring that only qualified and experienced individuals become Warranted Contracting Officers.  Candidates must meet strict criteria and have specific education, training, and experience to be eligible for a warrant. The U.S. Department of Commerce follows GSA’s Real Property Leasing Certification Program to become warranted.

Building Space and Security Invoicing

The U.S. Department of Commerce is headquartered in the historic Herbert C. Hoover Federal Building in Washington, DC. Built in 1932 and spanning nearly two-million square feet in size. ORPP oversees the monthly rent invoicing process of the building occupant agencies using a proprietary allocation algorithm, in conjunction with the Office of Financial Management. ORPP also facilitates the pass-through invoicing of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Service building security payments.

Nationwide Data Owner

DOC recently updated the asset management system of record to the Business Applications Solution (BAS) for the Department. This system is a centralized repository for all real property information and is continually updated. ORPP serves as a nationwide data manager over the real property data entered in the system in coordination with the Operating Units.