Facilities Division

Mission Statements

• Facilities Division
• Ames Modernization Branch (AMB)
• Facilities Contracts Branch (FCB)
• Facilities Engineering Branch (FEB)
• Real Property Management Branch (RPMB)
• Safety, Health, and Environment Management Branch (SHEMB)

Facilities Division Mission Statement

The ARS Facilities Division (FD) provides a variety of building related services to the REE Mission Area, as well as other USDA and Federal agencies. FD consists of 5 branches: the Facilities Engineering Branch; the Facilities Contracts Branch; the Ames Modernization Branch; the Real Property Management Branch; and the Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Branch.

FD is organized into two functional areas, Design and Construction; and Asset Management and Programs. Design and Construction has responsibility for Facilities Engineering and Contracting functions within FD with the exception of the Ames Modernization Branch. The Asset Management and Programs function has responsibility for Real Property Asset Management, Space Management, Safety, Health, and Environmental Management and other special programs.

FD delivers support and technical guidance for the ARS major building program, and provides expertise in engineering project management; architect-engineering (AE)/construction contract management; asset management; real property; space management; and safety, health, and environmental management. End products include the construction of new and renovated ARS research facilities, acquisition and disposal of ARS land/building, space layout and office relocations (within the National Capital Region), and a safe working environment. FD is responsible for the management of 300,000 sq. ft. of office space in the Washington Metro Area plus 3,300 buildings and structures, 400,000 acres of land, and a large nationwide planning, design, and construction program.

Ames Modernization Branch Mission

To provide engineering project management and contracting support for facilities design and construction requirements related to the $461 million Ames Modernization effort.  Engineering support includes project budget and schedule forecasting, design criteria development, execution of facilities project planning, design, and construction from project inception to completion.  Contracting support activities include planning, bidding, cost and price analysis, contract award, administration, and closeout actions for construction and A-E requirements.

Facilities Contracts Branch Mission

Facilities Contracts Branch (FCB) provides nationwide contracting support for construction requirements in excess of $1,000,000 and architectural-engineering (A-E) requirements in excess of $100,000. FCB performs planning, bidding, cost and price analysis, contract award, administration, and closeout actions for construction and A-E requirements. FCB provides coordination, technical advice, and support to Agency Program Managers on policy formulation, monitoring of construction programs and authorities, budgetary requirements, reporting, and management accountability for Agency-wide facilities and construction programs .

Facilities Engineering Branch Mission

Facilities Engineering Branch (FEB) provides nationwide engineering project management for major Federal facilities design and construction requirements. This includes project budget and schedule forecasting, design criteria development, execution of facilities project planning, design, and construction from project inception to completion. FEB coordinates project implementation with Architect-Engineer firms, program officials, contracting functions, and other Agency entities. They provide technical support and consultation to Headquarters and field organizational management and operating personnel in regard to accomplishing facility requirements; as well as providing policy formulation, implementation, and monitoring of execution. FEB also provides leadership and oversight for the facilities energy management program.

Real Property Management Branch Mission

The Real Property Management Branch (RPMB) is responsible for the acquisition, utilization, and disposal of Federally owned and leased real property in the custody and control of Research, Education, and Economics (REE) agencies, including the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, the Economic Research Service, and the National Agricultural Statistics Service. ARS-owned real property assets include over 13 million square feet in more than 3,300 buildings on approximately 400,000 acres of land at 104 domestic and 3 foreign locations and 64 worksites.

RPMB has operational responsibility for all land and facility acquisitions by purchase, lease, transfer, donation, and exchange, as well as all disposal actions. Oversight responsibilities include:

1. the issuance of outgrants, such as easements, rights-of-way,
   mineral leases, and revocable permits;
2. the utilization of real property assets; and
3. compliance with Federal, State, and local laws governing the management of Federal land and facilities, such as the
   National Historic Preservation Act, the Endangered Species
   Act, and the Randolph-Sheppard Act.

REE agencies occupy over 1 million square feet of federally leased space nationwide. In the Washington Metropolitan Area alone, RPMB manages approximately 400,000 square feet of federally owned and leased office space at seven separate locations. Onsite staff provide recommendations for space assignment and utilization; office design and layout; system furniture acquisition; office relocation coordination; space alteration, repair, and maintenance; and physical security.

Safety Health & Environmental Management Branch Mission

SHEMB is responsible for planning, organizing, monitoring, and evaluating the occupational safety, health, and environmental management programs to ensure that they respond to the mission and program needs of the Agency; comply with Federal, State, and local statutory and regulatory mandates, guidelines, and standards; and reduces the potential for human, economic, and environmental losses associated with injury, illness, and property damage incidents throughout the Agency.