GSA Launches Space Match Program to Address Office Space Shortages

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The General Services Administration (GSA) has introduced a shared space program dubbed Space Match to assist federal agencies facing office space shortages as employees return to the workplace. The initiative, which quietly began in February, aims to connect agencies that have excess office space with those in need of additional workspaces.

GSA’s program comes as occupancy in Washington, D.C., has reached 60.7%, according to Kastle Systems, which tracks office utilization through monitoring card swipes. For the top 10 metropolitan areas, the utilization rate is slightly higher at 60.8%. While specific federal agency data is lacking, GSA believes Space Match can mitigate the impact of increasing occupancy requirements.

“This program supports the shift from agency-specific space to governmentwide utilization standards,” said Ryan Brill, design lead at the Air Force, in a statement. “Unlike traditional procurement, Space Match eliminates costly buildouts, redesigns, and long processes.”

From October to its official launch on February 18, the Air Force conducted a pilot program of Space Match, which aims not only to help agencies find available workspace but also to save on rental costs by filling underutilized spaces. Other agencies, including the Department of Labor and the Environmental Protection Agency, are exploring its potential to streamline their real estate portfolios.

The urgency for such a program has intensified as GSA works toward consolidating the federal real estate portfolio by cutting back office space and terminating outdated leases. GSA has already reduced its overall footprint by more than 2 million square feet in the last decade, saving over $300 million in operating and maintenance costs. Recently, GSA announced plans to cancel about 1,000 federal real estate leases, which constitutes roughly 13% of its portfolio.

Michael Peters, commissioner of the Public Buildings Service at GSA, confirmed the agency’s goal of cutting federal building space by 50% while also meeting the full-time return of federal employees to their offices. “That’s the $64,000 question, right? It’s how many people are coming back, and when are they coming back,” Peters stated during a Public Buildings Reform Board meeting.

A survey conducted by Federal News Network found that around 66% of over 4,600 respondents expressed concern regarding their agency’s capability to provide sufficient office space when employees return full-time.

As GSA rolls out the Space Match program amid these significant transitions, it is important for agencies to engage with the initiative in order to maximize their real estate resources effectively.