present facility already exceeds an average of 45 minutes.

(c) The Department of Housing and Urban Development will be consulted concerning the availability on a nondiscriminatory basis of low- and moderate-income housing to the project area for those Federal employees who will work in the space to be assigned or reassigned when the action meets the criteria in paragraph (b) of this section.

(d) When, after consultation, it is determined that (1) there is a lack of lowand moderate-income housing on a nondiscriminatory basis within reasonable proximity and (2) the location is not readily accessible from other areas of the urban center, an affirmative action plan shall be developed as described in §101-19.101-4 with agency participation as described in §10119.101-5.

[42 FR 57462, Nov. 3, 1977]

§ 101–17.104 Reviews and appeals of space assignment actions.

(Sec. 205(c), 63 Stat. 390, 40 U.S.C. 486(c))

§ 101-17.104-1 Informal review.

Agencies may, at any time, request a regional review of space assignment actions without resorting to formal procedures. Space assignment actions include but are not limited to space allowances, measurements, classifications, layouts, delineated areas, recommended offers, and proposed relocations. Requests for an informal review shall be directed to the appropriate GSA regional office (see §101-17.4801), which will furnish a written response if it is requested.

(Sec. 205(c), 63 Stat. 390, 40 U.S.C. 486(c))

[42 FR 57462, Nov. 3, 1977]

§ 101-17.104-2 Formal review.

A request for a formal review of a space assignment action shall initially be submitted to the appropriate GSA regional office by the agency official authorized to sign the Standard Form 81, Request for Space. A request for a formal review shall be in writing and shall include all pertinent information and supporting documentation. The

GSA regional office will verify the data and perform additional investigation as necessary. The Regional Director, Space Management Division, will review all data and make a written determination. A copy of the decision will be sent to the requesting agency. (Sec. 205(c), 63 Stat. 390, 40 U.S.C. 486(c))

[42 FR 57462, Nov. 3, 1977]

§ 101-17.104-3 Initial appeal.

Within 30 calendar days after receipt of the decision, the regional agency head (or his designee) may submit an appeal of that decision to the Regional Administrator, GSA.

(a) In the appeal the agency official shall state, in writing, the basis for the original request for formal review. Only information provided with that request will be considered. Any new or additional information or facts introduced at this level will require that the appeal undergo another formal review.

(b) Within 30 calendar days the Regional Administrator, GSA, will notify the agency of his decision. In cases requiring more detailed analysis than can be accomplished within 30 days, the Regional Administrator will notify the agency and establish a date on which his decision will be rendered. (Sec. 205(c), 63 Stat. 390, 40 U.S.C. 486(c)) [42 FR 57462, Nov. 3, 1977]

§ 101-17.104-4 Further appeals.

(a) Within 30 calendar days after the agency has been notified of the Regional Administrator's decision, a further appeal may be filed by the agency head with the Administrator of General Services. Substantial justification should be furnished that the decision was arbitrary, capricious, or not supported by the evidence presented. The Administrator will render the agency's decision within 30 calendar days of receipt of the appeal.

(b) [Reserved]

(Sec. 205(c), 63 Stat. 390; 40 U.S.C. 486(c))

[42 FR 57462, Nov. 3, 1977, as amended at 44 FR 16394, Mar. 19, 1979]

Subpart 101-17.2-Utilization of Space

§ 101-17.200 Scope of subpart.

This subpart prescribes the principles and objectives of GSA in regard to the full and efficient utilization of Government-controlled space. The efficient utilization of space is closely related to the assignment functions of GSA, and, therefore, this subpart shall be considered in the light of the policies and procedures in subpart 101–17.1, Assignment of Space.

§ 101-17.201 Responsibility of GSA.

(a) GSA will assign agencies sufficient space to carry out their programs, provided that the need for such space is justified to the satisfaction of GSA.

(b) GSA will conduct space inspections and space utilization surveys to promote and enforce efficient utilization, recapturing for release or reassignment any space which the agencies do not justify to the satisfaction of GSA as being required. Adequate advance notice of the planned survey will be given to the agency concerned.

§ 101-17.201-1 Conduct of space inspections.

GSA will plan space inspections at periodic intervals on a community, building, or agency basis as appropriate. Inspections will be made in an orderly manner, on the basis of a floorby-floor and room-by-room check of all assigned space. The agency will be provided with a written summary of significant findings and recommendations, together with data concerning improvements which can be effected by the agency, and those which are planned by GSA.

§ 101-17.201-2 Conduct of space utilization surveys.

Space utilization surveys are made to ascertain whether a current assignment can be made more efficient and economical. These surveys may be scheduled as a result of a request for space, an action to improve utilization, an assignment action requiring a relocation of an activity, or as a result of a space inspection. Agencies will be kept informed of space utilization sur

veys and actions related thereto by the appropriate GSA regional office listed in § 101-17.4801.

§ 101-17.202 Responsibility of agencies.

It is the responsibility of the agencies to assist and cooperate with GSA in the assignment and utilization of space, including the furnishing of data relative to the use of the space occupied, and personnel housed or to be housed. It is the further responsibility of the agencies continuously to study and survey space occupied under assignment by GSA and other space which is controlled by the agencies, to insure efficient and economical space utilization. It is also the responsibility of those agencies which control space to report to GSA any space which is excess to their needs and which might be assigned to other agencies.

§ 101-17.203 Release of space not fully utilized.

The space utilization program is designed to effect maximum efficient utilization of Government-controlled space. Space for which there is no current foreseeable need will be relinquished.

§ 101-17.204 Notice to GSA of relinquishment of assigned space.

(a) GSA shall be notified by an agency occupying space assigned by GSA at least 120 days prior to the date on which the space, or portion thereof, will no longer be needed. In no event, however, shall such notice be given less than 30 days prior to the date on which a lease termination notice must be issued. Such notification shall be submitted in writing to the GSA regional office responsible for the geographical area in which the space is located, giving a description of the area involved, its location and the estimated date of release. When a portion of space is released, it must be consolidated and accessible for reassignment. Any alteration required to make such space consolidated and accessible will be borne by the agency before the space is assumed by GSA. The appropriate GSA regional office may reassign or dispose of the space.

(b) When an agency is responsible for operation, maintenance, and protection

of Government-owned space to which it has been assigned by GSA, and the agency determines that such space, or a portion thereof, is no longer needed, the agency shall so notify GSA at least 6 months prior to relinquishing the space in the same manner as indicated in paragraph (a) of this section. The operation, protection, and maintenance of the real property or portion thereof to be released shall continue to be the responsibility of the agency until the first day of the fiscal quarter after the 6-month period ends.

(Sec. 205(c), 63 Stat. 390; (40 U.S.C. 486(c)))

[39 FR 23196, June 27, 1974, as amended at 42 FR 16778, Mar. 30, 1977]

Subpart 101-17.3-Space Standards, Criteria, and Guidelines

§ 101-17.300 Scope of subpart.

This subpart identifies those factors affecting office layout which must be considered in connection with achieving more efficient layouts and better space utilization.

§ 101-17.301 Space allowances.

Space allowances are derived from specific studies of the operations of the agencies, and are directed toward providing each employee with enough space to work efficiently.

§ 101-17.302 Use of occupancy guides.

The objectives of the occupancy guide program are to improve agency operations and promote economic and prudent utilization of Government-controlled space through the development and application of occupancy standards and criteria for specific agencies and activities. Each occupancy guide represents an agreement between GSA and the agency as to the latter's space requirements and is written in terms which permit nationwide application. The criteria contained in occupancy guides will be used as a basis for estimating agency space requirements for those agencies for which guides have been published and allowances are considered to be maximum. Occupancy guides will be reviewed jointly by GSA and the agencies and revised to con

form with the allowances contained in this subpart 101–17.3.

§ 101-17.303 Use of space allocation allowances.

(a) The space allowances listed in §§ 101-17.304-1 and 101-17.304-2 are to be used in space planning for agencies or components thereof for which occupancy guides have not been published. In addition, these allowances are applicable for all agency headquarters activities.

(b) Work station space allowances listed in § 101-17.304-1 shall not necessarily be used as criteria for assigning space to individuals. Rather, they should be used to estimate that portion of the total office space that is required for work stations.

§ 101-17.304 Office space allowances.

The amount of office space developed by application of these allowances should normally be sufficient to house office elements of executive agencies. It is recognized, however, that agency functions and needs and physical variations in buildings will cause deviations in the determination of the amount of space assigned, and its division into private, semiprivate, open areas, or other uses will be based upon a templated layout which reflects the optimum use of the space and the workflow requirements of the using agency.

§ 101-17.304–1 Work station space allowances for general schedule personnel.

(a) These standards are used in estimating that portion of the total office space required for executive work stations, and as such are considered neither maximums nor minimums except where so noted. A degree of latitude is necessary, depending on building configuration, functional and operational needs, and the best interests of the Government.

(b) These standards shall not be retroactively applied to justify additional space or improvements for existing offices, nor shall they be used to reduce current assignments which exceed the allotments. Compliance with the standards shall be achieved through new assignments and reassignments which take place as a result of normal turnover of office space and facilities.

(c) Alterations and amenities allowed by these standards, but which exceed GSA standard levels of alteration, shall be reimbursable to GSA by the Agency involved.

(d) If they so desire, individual Agencies may adopt more stringent standards for their executives and apply such in-house allocations to their requests for space.

(e) High-level military personnel housed in GSA-controlled space shall be subject to application of these standards at the civilian level to which their rank is equivalent.

(f) In the interest of using the public dollar judiciously, Government executives are expected to exercise restraint in furnishing and equipping their offices. Since much can be accomplished by the use of currently available furnishings, "built-ins” and other unusual alterations should be kept to a minimum. All alterations and amenities not detailed herein should meet the test of reasonable cost.

(g) As long as an office is in good repair and suitable to the function of the executive position to which it is assigned, it is GSA's policy to discourage personal preferential modifications with a change in occupant.

(Sec. 205(c), 63 Stat. 390 (40 U.S.C. 486(c)))

[43 FR 34139, Aug. 3, 1978]

schedule personnel.

The following standards shall be applied in the assignment of space to executive schedule personnel, levels I through V, as indicated.

(a) Square foot allowances for private offices and conference rooms for executive schedule personnel shall be as follows (any official entitled to a private conference room, when in proximity to another, may be reasonably expected to share conference facilities. Where private conference rooms are not authorized, officials shall use "conference-rooms-in-common” or their

own offices. Common conference rooms must be justified in accordance with the provisions of §101-17.304-2, table II.):

(1) Level I: 750 square foot private office; 500 square foot proximate conference room.

(2) Level II: 600 square foot private office; 400 square foot proximate conference room.