Facility acquisitions include the purchase and/or lease of existing structures or facilities by the Federal Government. Existing facilities that are purchased and/or leased for use by NIH employees or which will house NIH equipment shall comply with all applicable Federal, national, State/local, and Departmental and Agency regulations and policies, including the NIH Design Policy and Guidelines.

It is imperative that facilities acquired by lease for the NIH are capable of meeting all safety criteria and all other criteria that in any way will have an adverse effect on the health and/or safety of the building occupants or have an adverse affect on the integrity of ongoing research.

It is strongly advised that any proposed existing facility be evaluated prior to entering into a purchase or lease agreement for its capability to comply with the NIH Design Policy and Guidelines.

Purchased or leased facilities whose intended function will be to conduct biomedical research shall be evaluated for their ability to provide flexible, adaptable, and expandable space to the greatest extent possible. The extent to which the facility will adhere to the requirements outlined in the NIH Design Policy and Guidelines should be reviewed by the NIH on a case-by-case basis. Elements such as the length of the lease term and future plans/programs of the occupants of the building should be considered in the review. Variances from the NIH Design Policy and Guidelines shall be sought during the design process.