§ 121. Administrative

§ 121. Administrative

(a) Policies Prescribed by the President.— The President may prescribe policies and directives that the President considers necessary to carry out this subtitle. The policies must be consistent with this subtitle.

(b) Accounting Principles and Standards.—

(1) Prescription.— The Comptroller General, after considering the needs and requirements of executive agencies, shall prescribe principles and standards of accounting for property.

(2) Property accounting systems.— The Comptroller General shall cooperate with the Administrator of General Services and with executive agencies in the development of property accounting systems and approve the systems when they are adequate and in conformity with prescribed principles and standards.

(3) Compliance review.— From time to time the Comptroller General shall examine the property accounting systems established by executive agencies to determine the extent of compliance with prescribed principles and standards and approved systems. The Comptroller General shall report to Congress any failure to comply with the principles and standards or to adequately account for property.

(c) Regulations by Administrator.—

(1) General authority.— The Administrator may prescribe regulations to carry out this subtitle.

(2) Required regulations and orders.— The Administrator shall prescribe regulations that the Administrator considers necessary to carry out the Administrator’s functions under this subtitle and the head of each executive agency shall issue orders and directives that the agency head considers necessary to carry out the regulations.

(d) Delegation of Authority by Administrator.—

(1) In general.— Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Administrator may delegate authority conferred on the Administrator by this subtitle to an official in the General Services Administration or to the head of another federal agency. The Administrator may authorize successive redelegation of authority conferred by this subtitle.

(2) Exceptions.— The Administrator may not delegate—

(A) the authority to prescribe regulations on matters of policy applying to executive agencies;

(B) the authority to transfer functions and related allocated amounts from one component of the Administration to another under paragraphs (1)(C) and (2)(A) of subsection (e); or

(C) other authority for which delegation is prohibited by this subtitle.

(3) Retention and use of rental payments.— A department or agency to which the Administrator has delegated authority to operate, maintain or repair a building or facility under this subsection shall retain the portion of the rental payment that the Administrator determines is available to operate, maintain or repair the building or facility. The department or agency shall directly expend the retained amounts to operate, maintain, or repair the building or facility. Any amounts retained under this paragraph shall remain available until expended for these purposes.

(e) Assignment of Functions by Administrator.—

(1) In general.— The Administrator may provide for the performance of a function assigned under this subtitle by any of the following methods:

(A) The Administrator may direct the Administration to perform the function.

(B) The Administrator may designate or establish a component of the Administration and direct the component to perform the function.

(C) The Administrator may transfer the function from one component of the Administration to another.

(D) The Administrator may direct an executive agency to perform the function for itself, with the consent of the agency or by direction of the President.

(E) The Administrator may direct one executive agency to perform the function for another executive agency, with the consent of the agencies concerned or by direction of the President.

(F) The Administrator may provide for performance of a function by a combination of the methods described in this paragraph.

(2) Transfer of resources.—

(A) Within administration.— If the Administrator transfers a function from one component of the Administration to another, the Administrator may also provide for the transfer of appropriate allocated amounts from the component that previously carried out the function to the component being directed to carry out the function. A transfer under this subparagraph must be reported to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

(B) Between agencies.— If the Administrator transfers a function from one executive agency to another (including a transfer to or from the Administration), the Administrator may also provide for the transfer of appropriate personnel, records, property, and allocated amounts from the executive agency that previously carried out the function to the executive agency being directed to carry out the function. A transfer under this subparagraph is subject to approval by the Director.

(f) Advisory Committees.— The Administrator may establish advisory committees to provide advice on any function of the Administrator under this subtitle. Members of the advisory committees shall serve without compensation but are entitled to transportation and not more than $25 a day instead of expenses under section 5703 of title 5.

(g) Consultation With Federal Agencies.— The Administrator shall advise and consult with interested federal agencies and seek their advice and assistance to accomplish the purposes of this subtitle.

(h) Administering Oaths.— In carrying out investigative duties, an officer or employee of the Administration, if authorized by the Administrator, may administer an oath to an individual.

(Pub. L. 107–217, Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1068.)

In subsection (b)(3), the words “Comptroller General” are substituted for “General Accounting Office” because of 31:702 and for consistency in the revised title.

In subsection (d)(3), the words “For the fiscal year ending September 30, 1997, and thereafter” are omitted as unnecessary.

In subsection (e)(1)(C), the words “transfer the function from one component of the Administration to another” are substituted for “from time to time, to regroup, transfer, and distribute any such functions within the General Services Administration” (in 40:754 (1st sentence)) for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (e)(2), subparagraph (A) is substituted for 40:754 (last sentence) and subparagraph (B) is substituted for 40:486(f) to use more consistent terminology and to clarify the requirements and applicability of each provision. The words “Director of the Office of Management and Budget” are substituted for “Director of the Bureau of the Budget” in sections 106 (last sentence) and 205(f) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 because the office of Director of the Bureau of the Budget was redesignated the Director of the Office of Management and Budget by section 102(b) of Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1970 (84 Stat. 2085). Section 102 of Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1970, was repealed by section 5(b) of the Act of September 13, 1982 (Public Law 97–258, 96 Stat. 1085), the first section of which enacted Title 31, United States Code, but the successor provision, 31:502, continued the designation as Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

In subsection (f), the words “expenses under” are substituted for “subsistence, as authorized by” for consistency in the revised title. The words “section 5703 of title 5” are substituted for “section 5 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U.S.C. 73b–2)” in section 205(g) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 because of section 7(b) of the Act of September 6, 1966 (Public Law 89–554, 80 Stat. 631), the first section of which enacted Title 5, United States Code.

Historical and Revision Notes
RevisedSection	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
121(a), (b)	40:486(a), (b).	June 30, 1949, ch. 288, title II, § 205, 63 Stat. 389; Sept. 5, 1950, ch. 849, § 9, 64 Stat. 591; Pub. L. 87–619, Aug. 31, 1962, 76 Stat. 414.
121(c)(1)	40:751(f).	June 30, 1949, ch. 288, title I, § 101(f), as added Pub. L. 99–500, § 101(m) [title VIII, § 832], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–345; Pub. L. 99–591, § 101(m) [title VIII, § 832], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–345.
121(c)(2)	40:486(c).
121(d)(1), (2)	40:486(d).
121(d)(3)	40:486a.	Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(f) [title VI, § 611], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–355.
121(e)(1)	40:486(e).
	40:754 (1st sentence).	June 30, 1949, ch. 288, title I, § 106, 63 Stat. 381.
121(e)(2)(A)	40:754 (last sentence).
121(e)(2)(B)	40:486(f).
121(f)	40:486(g).
121(g)	40:486(h).
121(h)	40:486(i).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Termination of Advisory Committees

Advisory committees established after Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of their establishment, unless, in the case of a committee established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such committee is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a committee established by the Congress, its duration is otherwise provided by law. See section 1013 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Executive Documents

Ex. Ord. No. 12072. Federal Space Management

Ex. Ord. No. 12072, Aug. 16, 1978, 43 F.R. 36869, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13946, § 1, Aug. 24, 2020, 85 F.R. 52879; Ex. Ord. No. 14091, § 6(c), Feb. 16, 2023, 88 F.R. 10830, provided:

By the authority vested in me as President of the United States of America by Section 205(a) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended (40 U.S.C. 486(a)) [now 40 U.S.C. 121(a)], and in order to prescribe appropriate policies and directives, not inconsistent with that Act [now chapters 1 to 11 of this title and division C (except sections 3302, 3307(e), 3501(b), 3509, 3906, 4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of Title 41, Public Contracts] and other applicable provisions of law, for the planning, acquisition, utilization, and management of Federal space facilities, it is hereby ordered as follows:

1–1. Space Acquisition

1–101. Federal facilities and Federal use of space in urban areas shall serve to strengthen the Nation’s cities and to make them attractive places to live and work. Such Federal space shall conserve existing urban resources and encourage the development and redevelopment of cities.

1–102. Procedures for meeting space needs in urban areas shall give serious consideration to the impact a site selection will have on improving the social, economic, environmental, and cultural conditions of the communities in the urban area.

1–103. Except where such selection is otherwise prohibited, the process for meeting Federal space needs in urban areas shall give first consideration to a centralized community business area and adjacent areas of similar character, including other specific areas which may be recommended by local officials.

1–104. The process of meeting Federal space needs in urban areas shall be consistent with the policies of this Order and shall include consideration of the following criteria:

(a) Compatability [sic] of the site with State, regional, or local development, redevelopment, or conservation objectives.

(b) Conformity with the activities and programs of other Federal agencies.

(c) Impact on economic development and employment opportunities in the urban area, including the utilization of human, natural, cultural, and community resources.

(d) Availability of adequate low and moderate income housing for Federal employees and their families on a nondiscriminatory basis.

(e) Availability of adequate public transportation and parking and accessibility to the public.

1–105. Procedures for meeting space needs in urban areas shall be consistent with the policies of this Order and shall include consideration of the following alternatives:

(a) Availability of existing Federally controlled facilities.

(b) Utilization of buildings of historic, architectural, or cultural significance within the meaning of section 105 of the Public Buildings Cooperative Use Act of 1976 (90 Stat. 2507, 40 U.S.C. 612a) [now 40 U.S.C. 3306].

(c) Acquisition or utilization of existing privately owned facilities.

(d) Construction of new facilities.

(e) Opportunities for locating cultural, educational, recreational, or commercial activities within the proposed facility.

1–106. Site selection and space assignments shall take into account the management needs for consolidation of agencies or activities in common or adjacent space in order to improve administration and management and effect economies.

1–2. Administrator of General Services

1–201. The Administrator of General Services shall develop programs to implement the policies of this Order through the efficient acquisition and utilization of Federally owned and leased space. In particular, the Administrator shall:

(a) Select, acquire, and manage Federal space in a manner which will foster the policies and programs of the Federal government and improve the management and administration of government activities.

(b) Issue regulations, standards, and criteria for the selection, acquisition, and management of Federally owned and leased space.

(c) Periodically undertake surveys of space requirements and space utilization in the executive agencies.

(d) Ensure, in cooperation with the heads of Executive agencies, that their essential space requirements are met in a manner that is economically feasible and prudent.

(e) Make maximum use of existing Federally controlled facilities which, in his judgment, are adequate or economically adaptable to meeting the space needs of executive agencies.

(f) Annually submit long–range plans and programs for the acquisition, modernization, and use of space for approval by the President.

1–202. The Administrator is authorized to request from any Executive agency such information and assistance deemed necessary to carry out his functions under this Order. Each agency shall, to the extent not prohibited by law, furnish such information and assistance to the Administrator.

1–203. In the process of meeting Federal space needs in urban areas and implementing the policies of this Order, the Administrator shall:

(a) Consider the efficient performance of the missions and programs of the agencies, the nature and function of the facilities involved, the convenience of the public served, and the maintenance and improvement of safe and healthful working conditions for employees.

(b) Coordinate proposed programs and plans for facilities and space with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

(c) Consult with appropriate Federal, State, regional, and local government officials and consider their recommendations for and objections to a proposed selection site or space acquisition.

(d) Coordinate proposed programs and plans for facilities and space in a manner designed to implement the purposes of this Order.

(e) Prior to making a final determination concerning the location of Federal facilities, notify the concerned Executive agency of an intended course of action and take into account any additional information provided.

1–204. In ascertaining the social, economic, environmental and other impacts which site selection would have on a community, the Administrator shall, when appropriate, obtain the advice of interested agencies.

1–3. General Provisions

1–301. The heads of Executive agencies shall cooperate with the Administrator in implementing the policies of this Order and shall economize on their use of space. They shall ensure that the Administrator is given early notice of new or changing missions or organizational realignments which affect space requirements.

1–302. Executive agencies which acquire or utilize Federally owned or leased space under authority other than the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended [now chapters 1 to 11 of this title and division C (except sections 3302, 3307(e), 3501(b), 3509, 3906, 4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of Title 41], shall conform to the provisions of this Order to the extent they have the authority to do so.

1–303. Executive Order No. 11512 of February 27, 1970, is revoked.

Executive Order No. 12512

Ex. Ord. No. 12512, Apr. 29, 1985, 50 F.R. 18453, which related to Federal real property management, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13327, § 8, Feb. 4, 2004, 69 F.R. 5897, set out below.

Ex. Ord. No. 12954. Ensuring the Economical and Efficient Administration and Completion of Federal Government Contracts

Ex. Ord. No. 12954, Mar. 8, 1995, 60 F.R. 13023, provided:

Efficient economic performance and productivity are directly related to the existence of cooperative working relationships between employers and employees. When Federal contractors become involved in prolonged labor disputes with their employees, the Federal Government’s economy, efficiency, and cost of operations are adversely affected. In order to operate as effectively as possible, by receiving timely goods and quality services, the Federal Government must assist the entities with which it has contractual relations to develop stable relationships with their employees.