[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 131 (Monday, July 8, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 35736]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-17208]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

[GSA Bulletin FPMR D-238]


Locating Federal Facilities on Historic Properties in Our 
Nation's Central Cities

    1. Purpose. This bulletin announces the policy concerning the 
location of Federal facilities on historic properties in our central 
cities.
    2. Expiration date. This bulletin contains information of a 
continuing nature and will remain in effect until canceled.
    3. Background. a. On May 21, 1996, President Clinton signed 
Executive Order 13006, entitled ``Locating Federal Facilities on 
Historic Properties in Our Nation's Central Cities,'' to encourage 
``leasing, acquiring, locating, maintaining, or managing'' Federal 
facilities on historic properties in our nation's central cities. So 
that federal agencies may benefit from GSA's real property management 
expertise, government-wide policy guidance is being provided concerning 
the acquisition and use of historic properties to be utilized by 
federal agencies where operationally appropriate and economically 
prudent.
    b. The Public Buildings Cooperative Use Act of 1976 (40 U.S.C. 
601a) directs the Administrator of General Services to ``acquire and 
utilize space in suitable buildings of historic, architectural, or 
cultural significance, unless use of such space would not prove 
feasible and prudent compared with available alternatives.'' In the 
past, some Federal agencies have successfully promoted the acquisition 
and use of space in ``buildings of historic, architectural, and 
cultural significance'' by extending a 10 percent cost preference for 
these properties.
    4. Action. In accordance with Executive Order 13006, and subject to 
the requirements of section 601 of title VI of the Rural Development 
Act of 1972, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 3122), and Executive Order 12072, 
when locating Federal facilities, Federal agencies shall give first 
consideration to historic properties within historic districts. If no 
such property is suitable, then Federal agencies shall consider other 
developed or undeveloped sites within historic districts. Federal 
agencies shall then consider historic properties outside of historic 
districts, if no suitable site within a district exists.
    All Federal agencies must use procedures which implement the policy 
to extend first consideration to locations as prescribed in the 
Executive order. These implementation procedures should be consistent 
with the existing policy set forth in Executive Order 12072 (Federal 
Space Management), which extends first consideration to central 
business areas (CBAs), and should consider applicable requirements 
relating to full and open competition under the Competition in 
Contracting Act, 41 U.S.C. 253 et seq.
    Federal agencies are encouraged to consider the Government's 
previous approach extending preference to historic properties. Where 
operationally appropriate and economically prudent, Federal agencies 
may extend first consideration to historic properties using various 
methods, including but not limited to extending a cost preference 
(similar to GSAR 570.701-4, Historic Preference); limiting competition 
to historic districts and/or historic properties; conducting market 
surveys and market analyses to identify historic properties or 
districts to be included in the area of consideration; providing notice 
of a requirement and an opportunity to respond to local, state or 
regional historic preservation officials; or a combination of the 
foregoing.


    Dated: June 28, 1996.
G. Martin Wagner,
Associate Administrator, Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation.
[FR Doc. 96-17208 Filed 7-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-23-M