Broker Services - GSA Leasing Support Services (GLS)

GLS is a collection of multiple, zonal Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts, designed to complement GSA’s leasing workforce and provide support services to the regions in an effort to manage each region’s lease workload. This tool leverages contractors’ expertise to provide more efficient space solutions. The purpose is to assist in delivering the best value in space solutions for the Government and taxpayers, leveraging private sector resources and expertise with reduced contract administration.

The GLS Team is extremely pleased to reflect on the many accomplishments that we have realized three years into this contract. Now, with the award of more than 600 task orders, GSA is truly embracing the leasing expertise that our brokers have to offer. Not only has GSA’s commitment to success allowed us to exceed our internal metrics for two consecutive years, we are projecting an estimated $134 million in commission credit to benefit our Tenant Agencies through rent reduction.

In recognition of its innovation and outstanding achievements, GLS was honored to receive a 2016 PBS Project Management Award in the Beyond Space category. Additionally, as part of the 2016 GSA Achievement Award for Real Property Best Practices and Innovation [PDF - 1 MB], GLS received Special Achievement recognition within the Asset Management category.

In response to Hurricane Maria and Irma, GLS supported several regions by issuing more than a dozen task orders exclusively for FEMA Emergency leases. We appreciate the partnership of both brokers and CORs working together to delivery office and warehouse space under these unfortunate circumstances.

The first two years have proven to be a resounding success due to all the hard work and enthusiasm of our exceptional team of dedicated CORs and program officials. With such a commitment to excellence, we are setting the stage for even greater accomplishments in 2018.

GLS Helpful Links

MSA Map (non-government website)

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is developing its solicitation for the next version of the GSA Leasing Support Services contract, GLS Plus. GLS Plus will emphasize taxpayer savings, improve the federal customer agency experience from requirements development through construction management, and leverage private sector expertise on an even broader scale than the current GLS contract. GSA will assess broker performance under GLS Plus based upon achievement of desired outcomes for each lease acquisition project.
GSA intends to increase the use of brokers under GLS Plus with enhanced pre- and post-award services and integrating new technologies -- such as virtual market tours and analytical tools -- which promote cost saving real estate solutions. The overarching goal with GLS Plusis to more closely align broker performance with GSA’s strategic objective of saving money through real estate. Broker performance expectations begin with aggressive customer planning efforts, closer adherence to project schedules and costs, and continued opportunities for small businesses.

GLS Plus by the Numbers (Five Year Outlook)

• Estimated Rent Credits to Tenant Agencies -- $129 Million
• Estimated Square Feet of All Task Orders -- 33 Million Square Feet
• Estimated Gross Commissions -- $368 Million

GSA News Release

• 07/09/2019 GSA Issues Request For Proposal For Enhanced Leasing Support Services Contract
• 12/19/2018 GSA Issues Draft Solicitation for Enhanced Leasing Support Services

News Articles

• GSA To Change Broker Commissions, Stop Incentivizing Deals That Achieve Below-Market Rents [BisNow Article 12/20/2018]

GLS on LinkedIn

Please join the GSA PBS Office of Leasing LinkedIn subgroup Real Estate Brokerage Services Contract Discussion Group.

Please share this with anyone that you feel it would be of interest. All are welcome.

GLS Plus Fact Sheet

GSA News Release

• GSA Awards Nine Leasing Support Services Contracts, Including Two to Small Businesses Sept 30, 2015
• GSA Issues RFP for New Leasing Support Services Contract. April 20, 2015
• GSA Issues Draft Solicitation for New Leasing Support Services Contract November 24, 2014

News Articles

ExecutiveBiz

• Chris Wisner: GSA to Open New Leasing Services Contract Competition

Washington Business Journal

• Three firms picked to represent the GSA on D.C - area leasing deals Sept 30, 2015
• GSA kicks off search for the next generation of real estate brokers April 20, 2015
• A closer look at GSA's new approach to using outside brokers Dec 1, 2014
• GSA aims to measure cost savings with next-generation broker contract Nov 24, 2014
• Using private brokers hasn't worked as planned. Can the GSA get it right this time? Nov 13, 2014

GLS on LinkedIn

Please join the GSA PBS Office of Leasing LinkedIn subgroup Real Estate Brokerage Services Contract Discussion Group.

Please share this with anyone that you feel it would be of interest. All are welcome.

GLS Fact Sheet

Improvements Made To Program Based On Stakeholder Feedback

GLS Contract Exhibits [PDF - 3 MB]

GLS Contract - redacted [PDF - 2 MB]

Mod PA01 - Redacted 11-25-15 [PDF - 3 MB]

Mod PS02 - Redacted 9-13-16 [PDF - 61 KB]

Mod PS03 - Redacted 1-17-17 [PDF - 1 MB]

Mod PS04 - Redacted 8-8-17 [PDF - 2 MB]

Mod PO05 - Redacted 12-14-17 [PDF - 74 KB]

Mod PS06 - Redacted 11-26-18 [PDF - 739 KB]

Mod PO07 - Redacted 12-17-18 [PDF - 181 KB]

The National Broker Contract (NBC) Program has been a vital program within the Leasing community for the past eleven years. As a result, three National contracts have been awarded, which have been very instrumental in the success of the leasing program. NBC1, the first generation of broker contracts, reached expiration in 2010 after a successful five-year run. That year, NBC2, the second of its kind, was put into effect. It offered a number of improvements over the prior generation contracts. Task orders were awarded against the NBC2 contracts through 2015. The latest contract, GSA Leasing Support Services (GLS), was awarded in September 2015 with a NTP, issued January 2016.

The brokerage program is a highly visible program, involving Congressional stakeholders, private sector interests, and other Government agencies. To date, the broker program has been used to procure 3,622 leases with a rental avoidance of $297M for the Government.

NBC1 / NBC2 FAQ

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What is a "no cost" National Broker Contract?

The Government Accountability Office Advisory Ruling allows GSA to enter into contracts with real estate brokers without augmenting its appropriations since the proposed contracts do not contemplate the government receiving funds from the brokers. This contract vehicle is what we are commonly calling the "No Cost" contract. It is where the contractor will negotiate and collect the commissions typically paid in the private sector as payment for contract services with no payments being made directly by the government.

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What is the duration of the contract?

These four contracts were awarded as modified performance-based contracts with a 1 year base period, and they can be extended for a total of five years, subject to annual renewal options. The contracts were awarded on June 21, 2010. The Contractor's were provided Notice to Proceed on October 1, 2010. The base contract year began on October 1, 2010 and ran through September 30, 2011.. The Second Renewal Option was exercised for the period October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012, Third Renewal Option was October 1, 2012 through September 20, 2013, the Fourth Renewal Option is October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014 and the Fifth and Last Renewal Option year has not been exercised for the period October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015.

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How Will GSA ensure that small businesses have adequate opportunity to compete under the new contract?

Each awarded contract has a Government imposed target set aside goal ranging from 27 to 30 percent of the total contract value to be specifically subcontracted with small businesses. The National Broker Contract 2 (NBC2) program through relationships with prime contractors compensated small businesses $931,479 in FY13 for a total of $1.96M since contract inception.

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Will customers be charged an additional Broker's fee?

No, the customers will not be charged any additional fee for work accomplished by Brokers. Under this contract, the National Brokers are collecting their fees in commissions from the landlord. In previous contracts, GSA paid the broker fees under traditional services contracts for no commissions. Any commissions were negotiated or rebated back as an offset to the lease. Under the new "no cost" contract, the contractor will have the opportunity collect the commissions they negotiate with the landlord minus a pre-priced percentage of the commissions that will be applied to the customers' shell rent. The customer will benefit directly and immediately from any commission credits. Under an expedited lease action, GSA and the customer will receive no commission offset to rent.

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What plans does GSA have to become better educated about who has the authority to make decisions for the agency?

In coordination with our GSA/PBS Human Capital Strategy, increased emphasis is placed on understanding our customers better. We are integrating our business process into the Transaction Management Playbook to improve our customer interactions. The National Broker Contracts contain the process to facilitate that interaction by the means of project orientation discussions among the GSA Realty Specialist, the Customer, and the Broker. At the project orientation meeting, a communication plan is developed by all parties in order to ensure the communications flow is being conducted in the manner and frequency the agency would like to receive. Communications contacts, as well as approval authority, are to be clearly identified and adhered to by all.

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How does this affect the cost of my lease?

We anticipate better rental rates for our customers from the National contractors due to the fact their future work with GSA is dependent on their performance on each individual project. One of the performance criteria we will monitor is the rental rates they negotiate.

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NBC 2