GSA wants civilian cybersecurity center in D.C. region

The General Services Administration is seeking $35 million as part of President Barack Obama’s proposed 2015 budget to establish a civilian cybersecurity center in the D.C. metro area that would enable more collaboration between various federal agencies.

GSA Administrator Dan Tangherlini told reporters Tuesday that the idea is to bring experts from federal agencies — such as the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice — together in shared space instead of being spread over multiple D.C.-area buildings. Tangherlini says the government is “spending substantial amounts of resources” on rent and that the initiative could shift agencies from around 600,000 square feet of leased space to a new, federally-owned building.

The idea is still in its early stages and the GSA is only seeking money for the project’s design.

The proposal is separate from DHS’s planned consolidation at St. Elizabeths, which is still proceeding as funding becomes available. Obama’s budget asks for another $250 million there, money that would pay for continued improvements and renovations for Homeland Security and its various sub-agencies, according to Tangherlini.

The GSA has repeatedly made requests for additional funding at St. E’s, only to be turned down or have its request reduced by Congress. In response to a reporter’s question, Tangherlini said those delays are adding time and money to the project’s cost. GSA’s only recourse has been to request funding for specific projects as each new budget comes up for discussion.

“Right now, this is the only strategy we have, which is to continue to go and seek appropriations,” Tangherlini said. “We have to keep moving forward to give DHS the campus and security they need to keep the nation safe.”

Tangherlini noted the GSA will continue to seek funding to maintain and upgrade the federal government’s real estate portfolio, including seeking congressional approval to use all of the money it collects in rent from other agencies to make building repairs. The federal government’s 2014 budget allowed GSA to use up to 95 percent of those funds for building projects, which Tangherlini noted was an improvement, but did not go far enough.

As with last year’s budget request, the GSA is also seeking $100 million to help federal agencies shrink their real estate footprint by moving or renovating the space they are currently in. It includes another $100 million to improve the safety and energy efficiency of federal buildings.

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