Restoring Common Sense to Federal Office Space Management
This presidential order revokes Executive Orders 12072 and 13006, which previously mandated that federal agencies prioritize central business districts when selecting office space.
The rationale is that these previous orders hampered cost-effectiveness and efficient government operations.
The new order aims to restore common sense to federal office space management by allowing agencies to choose cost-effective facilities, thereby improving taxpayer value and prioritizing mission success.
The Administrator of General Services is tasked with updating related regulations to reflect this change.
Arguments For
Intended benefits: Increased cost-effectiveness for taxpayers by allowing agencies to choose lower-cost office spaces.
Evidence cited: Prior executive orders (12072 and 13006) are cited as having unintended consequences, preventing agencies from relocating to more efficient facilities.
Implementation methods: Revoking Executive Orders 12072 and 13006, directing the Administrator of General Services to amend regulations, and requiring agencies to conform to the new policy.
Legal/historical basis: The President's authority vested by the Constitution and laws of the United States. The order builds upon and refutes previous executive orders.
Arguments Against
Potential impacts: May lead to reduced investment in central business districts, possibly harming urban areas.
Implementation challenges: Agencies may encounter difficulties complying with the order, especially adapting to new location criteria and adjusting existing leases or ownership structures.
Alternative approaches: Developing tiered incentive systems, providing clear guidelines to ensure efficient space utilization without complete deregulation, or utilizing a case-by-case approach.
Unintended effects: Potential increases in relocation costs in the short-term if there are additional administrative costs associated with selection and transition; may lead to disparities in access to Federal services depending on location.
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Purpose. The American people are spread across more than 3.8 million square miles in urban, suburban, and rural areas. To provide the highest quality services in an efficient and cost-effective manner, executive departments and agencies (agencies) must be where the people are.
President Carter signed Executive Order 12072 of August 16, 1978 (Federal Space Management), ordering the Federal Government to prioritize central business districts when siting Federal facilities in urban areas. Intended to improve these districts, President Carter’s order has instead prevented agencies from relocating to lower-cost facilities. Building on Executive Order 12072, President Clinton signed Executive Order 13006 of May 21, 1996 (Locating Federal Facilities on Historic Properties in Our Nation’s Central Cities), to encourage agencies to locate their facilities in historic properties and districts, especially when located in central business areas. Much like President Carter’s order, President Clinton’s order failed to adequately prioritize efficient and effective Government service. Revoking these orders will restore common sense to Federal office space management by freeing agencies to select cost-effective facilities and focus on successfully carrying out their missions for American taxpayers.
This section establishes the purpose of the order.
It argues that previous executive orders focused on locating federal facilities in central business districts, unintentionally hindering cost efficiency.
The order aims to correct this by freeing agencies to choose more cost-effective locations, improving taxpayer value and overall agency operations.
The order claims that the previous system has failed to deliver on promises of service quality.
It directly references Executive Orders 12072 (President Carter) and 13006 (President Clinton), explaining their shortcomings and justifying the need for their revocation.
Sec. 2. Revoking Executive Orders. (a) Executive Order 12072 is hereby revoked.
(b) Executive Order 13006 is hereby revoked. (c) The Administrator of General Services is directed to initiate the process to amend the regulations at title 41, parts 102-79 and 102-83, Code of Federal Regulations, and to take any other steps necessary in accordance with applicable law to conform Federal office space management policy with this order. (d) Agencies that acquire or utilize federally owned or leased space under authority other than the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 101 et seq.), as amended, shall conform to the provisions of this order to the extent consistent with applicable law.
This section outlines the specific actions taken to achieve the order's purpose.
Executive Orders 12072 and 13006 are formally revoked.
The Administrator of General Services is instructed to update relevant regulations to align with the new policy.
Any agency using federal space (outside of certain acts) must also follow the new guidelines.
The section clearly details the practical steps for achieving the policy shift.
Sec. 3. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE, April 15, 2025.
This section includes standard legal provisions to clarify the scope and limitations of the order.
It affirms that the order doesn't reduce the power of agencies or the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) or create any new legal rights.
It also specifies that implementation will adhere to existing law and funding availability.
The President's signature and the date conclude the order.