The Department of Energy (DOE) instituted a real estate certification program that allows certified realty specialists to execute real estate actions without having to get DOE Headquarters approval. DOE created a Certification Board that reviews the applications of realty specialists. The board grants certification in one of four real estate areas (acquisition, non-GSA leasing, land management, and disposal) based on the experience and training of the applicant.
This program allows the agency to be more productive as its realty specialists have significantly reduce the amount of time reviewing an action. DOE estimates that they have saved $10,800 per transaction on the hundreds of real estate transactions that occur each year. DOE also allows the headquarters officials to concentrate on other duties with the assurance that the certified realty specialists are acting in the best interests of the government.
The program has proven to be very popular, as there are approximately 50 certified realty specialists. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has also contacted DOE to establish a similar program in their agency.
For more information, contact Mr. Jim Cayce at (202) 586-0072 or via e-mail at james.cayce@hq.doe.gov
