Judiciary Planning Process Wins GSA Award for Best Practice

The Judiciary’s Long Range Facilities Planning process, developed by the Administrative Office, was a winning entry in the General Services Administration’s Sec-ond Annual Achievement Award for Real Property Innovation. The LRFP process, won in the “Best Practice” category as the first systematic approach to space and facilities planning in the federal government. It was selected from among 41 entries submitted by federal agencies.

The LRFP process was begun in 1988 and uses statistical models of the judicial districts to anticipate the number of judicial officers and staff necessary to meet the demands of forecasted caseloads. Space needs over 5-, 10-, 20-, and 30-year increments then can be projected, and the requests for new or expanded courthouses prioritized. “The Judiciary recognizes the benefits of taking the long view with regard to courthouse construction,” said AO Director Leonidas Ralph Mecham. “The foresight of Gerald Thacker, the assistant director of the Office of Space and Facilities, Security and Administrative Services, and his staff in developing the LRFP has put us in the forefront of space and facilities planning.”

The GSA awards were developed to recognize the successes of the federal real property community, improve communications among real property professionals, and share the best policies and practices implemented by federal agencies. Entries were evaluated by a four-member independent panel of real estate and management experts representing a cross-section of private, gov-ernment, and international organizations.