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DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES

OFFICE OF SECRETARY

[photo, 301 West Preston St., Baltimore, Maryland] 301 West Preston St.
Baltimore, MD 21201 - 2305

Appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent, the Secretary of General Services is chief executive officer of the Department. The Secretary sets policy, promulgates rules and regulations, and manages Department programs and services. The Secretary also develops and oversees the budgets of the Department and its boards, commissions, and offices.

301 West Preston St., Baltimore, Maryland, November 2003. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

The Secretary of General Services advises the Board of Public Works and State government agencies on all public improvements and engineering matters (Code State Finance and Procurement Article, secs. 4-403 through 4-406). At meetings of the Board of Public Works, the Secretary presents the Department's portion of the Board's agenda. The Secretary also serves on the Board's Procurement Advisory Council.

Besides chairing the Government House Trust and the Maryland Green Buildings Council, the Secretary serves on the Governor's Executive Council; the Governor's Council on the Chesapeake Bay; and the Smart Growth Subcabinet. The Secretary also is a member of the Asbestos Oversight Committee; the Board of Directors, Bainbridge Development Corporation; the Commission on Correctional Standards; the Customer Council (State Use Industries); the Maryland Food Center Authority; the General Professional Services Selection Board; the Hall of Records Commission; the State Information Technology Board; the Interdepartmental Advisory Committee for Minority Affairs; the Pricing Committee for Blind Industries and Services of Maryland; the Pricing and Selection Committee for Rehabilitation and Employment Programs; the Procurement Advisory Council; the Interagency Committee on School Construction; and the Maryland Security Council.

Under the Secretary, the Department is organized as six main offices: Administration; Facilities Operations and Maintenance; Facilities Planning, Design, and Construction; Department of General Services Police; Procurement and Logistics; and Real Estate.

DEPUTY SECRETARY

301 West Preston St.
Baltimore, MD 21201 - 2305

The Deputy Secretary advises the Secretary of General Services, performs special assignments, and shares responsibility with the Secretary for managing the Department. The Deputy Secretary also assists the Secretary with the work of the State Board of Architectural Review and the Procurement Review Board.

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

In March 2003, Governmental Affairs and the Public Information Office combined to form External Affairs. For the Department, External Affairs provides customer services, legislative liaison, and public information services.

LEGAL DIVISION

The Legal Division is responsible for court cases, reviewing and preparing contract documents, and providing legal opinions. It oversees assistant attorneys general assigned to Real Estate. The Division also represents the Department before the Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals.

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION

To oversee Fiscal Services, Information Technology, and Personnel, the Administrative Division formed in April 2003.

FISCAL SERVICES

301 West Preston St.
Baltimore, MD 21201 - 2305

Fiscal Services started as the Office of Administrative and Fiscal Services and reorganized in 1991 as Fiscal and Contract Services. In 1993, it became the Fiscal Services Division. Formerly under Finance and Administration, the Fiscal Services Division transferred to the Office of Secretary in July 1999. As Fiscal Services, it moved under the Administrative Division in April 2003.

Fiscal Services manages the Department budget and provides accounting services to the Department and for statewide capital construction and maintenance administered by the Department. Accounting policies, procedures, and internal control standards are formulated and monitored by Fiscal Services.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Functions of Information Technology organized by 1981 as Data Information Services under the Office of Administration and Fiscal Services. By 1983, the unit became the Information Services Division and, in 1989, moved to the Office of Telecommunications. In 1991, the Division was made part of Finance and Administration and, in 1997, joined Procurement and Logistics. The Division reformed in March 1999 as the Information Technology Group, transferred to the Office of Secretary at that time, and restructured as Information Technology in December 1999. Information Technology moved to the Administrative Division in April 2003.

This office manages and operates Department data and word processing resources, including the Department's AS/400 Minicomputer and 350 personal computers. It also provides security for these systems and serves as project manager in developing custom applications software for the AS/400.

Centralized word processing for the Department is provided by Information Technology. In addition, it is responsible for systems analysis and programming, and network and personal computer administration.

FACILITIES OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE

Central Services Building
29 St. John's St.
Annapolis, MD 21401

To separate operations and maintenance from planning, engineering, and construction, Facilities Operations and Maintenance was established in 1993. This office oversees operations and maintenance of the 54 facilities throughout the State for which the Department of General Services is responsible. These facilities, totalling almost 6 million square feet of space, include fifteen regional district court/multi-service centers, and the three State office centers at Annapolis and Baltimore (Preston Street Complex and Inner Harbor Complex).

Under Facilities Operations and Maintenance are five divisions: Annapolis Public Buildings and Grounds; Baltimore Public Buildings and Grounds; Energy Management; Multi-Service Centers; and Portfolio Management.

[photo, Central Services Building, 29 St. John's St., Annapolis, Maryland]

ANNAPOLIS PUBLIC BUILDINGS & GROUNDS DIVISION

Central Services Building
29 St. John's St.
Annapolis, MD 21401

The responsibility to care for State buildings in Annapolis dates to 1862 when the Governor was authorized to appoint custodians (Chapter 15, Acts of 1862). These duties devolved to a superintendent who, in 1970, headed the Office of Annapolis Public Buildings and Grounds within the Department of General Services (Chapter 97, Acts of 1970).

Central Services Building, 29 St. John's St., Annapolis, Maryland, January 2001. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

The Annapolis Public Buildings and Grounds Division operates, maintains, and secures the State Office Center in Annapolis. Some twenty-six State-owned buildings encompassing over 2 million square feet on 49 acres of landscaped areas and 24.5 acres of parking lots are overseen by the Division. The buildings house approximately 4,700 State employees and elected officials. The Division also maintains Government House and other historic buildings, including the State House, the Old Treasury Building and Shaw House. In addition, the Division cares for the Crownsville People's Resource Center and the Crownsville Day Care Center in Anne Arundel County.

To preserve facilities and equipment, the Division provides both preventive and routine maintenance; makes major repairs, alterations, and improvements; and supplies equipment and materials to maintain the State Office Center. A special police force and guards provide 24-hour security.

BALTIMORE PUBLIC BUILDINGS & GROUNDS DIVISION

301 West Preston St., Room 1311
Baltimore, MD 21201 - 2305

The Baltimore Public Buildings and Grounds Division originated in 1958 when responsibilities for State buildings in Baltimore were assigned to a superintendent (Chapter 40, Acts of 1958). In 1970, these duties were delegated to the Office of Baltimore Public Buildings and Grounds when the Department of General Services was established (Chapter 97, Acts of 1970). By 1979, the Office was called a division.

The Baltimore Public Buildings and Grounds Division is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and security of sixteen State buildings in Baltimore City. They include 201 West Preston St.; 300 West Preston St.; 301 West Preston St.; and 2100 Guilford Ave. In November 2003, the Division also assumed responsibility for the Inner Harbor State Office Complex, which includes State buildings at 6 St. Paul St. (William Donald Schaefer Tower); 200 West Baltimore St. (Civic Plaza); 310 West Saratoga St.; 311 West Saratoga St.; and 500 North Hilton St. (Rosemont Center). In Howard County, the Division additionally oversees the State Records Management Center and Warehouse at 7275 Waterloo Road and the Motor Fuel Lab in Jessup.

The Inner Harbor State Office Complex joined the Baltimore Public Buildings and Grounds Division in November 2003. The Complex originated in 1986 as the Saratoga State Center Division. The Division reorganized in 1992 as the Central North Public Buildings and Grounds Division and became the Inner Harbor State Office Complex in 1994.

For facilities and equipment, the Division provides both preventive and routine maintenance, major repairs, alterations, improvements, supplies, and housekeeping services. The Division's special police and building guards offer around-the-clock security. The Baltimore State Office Complex houses some 8,400 State employees and includes 100 acres of land, and 22 acres of parking lots. The Division also maintains the four acres of the Maryland Vietnam Veterans' Memorial.

At the Jessup facility, the Division provides both preventive and routine maintenance and oversees the contractual provision of some maintenance tasks and services. At the Saratoga State Center, the Division provides preventive and routine maintenance, repairs, alterations, improvements, housekeeping, and security services for facilities and equipment. The Division also supplies maintenance equipment and materials.

ENERGY MANAGEMENT DIVISION

In 2003, the Energy Management Division was created within Facilities Operations and Maintenance.

[photo, District Court/Multi-Service Center, Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, Maryland]

MULTI-SERVICE CENTERS DIVISION

Carter M. Hickman District Court/Multi-Service Center
120 Broadway
Centreville, MD 21617

The Multi-Service Centers Division was established in January 2000 as the District Court/Multi-Service Centers Division, and received its present name in November 2003. It consolidated oversight of fifteen multi-service centers totalling over 1.5 million square feet, which were formerly the responsibility of several divisions. Providing work space for approximately 2,705 State employees, these facilities also include 44.2 acres of landscaped area and 18 acres of parking lots. The Division also oversees the Woodstock Center.

George M. Taylor District Court/Multi-Service Center, Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, Maryland, January 2001. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT DIVISION

29 St. John's St.
Annapolis, MD 21401

The Portfolio Management Division formed in July 1998 under Finance and Administration. In July 1999, the Division transferred to the Office of Secretary, and in 2000 moved under Facilities Operations and Maintenance.

The Division provides services ranging from fiscal management and long-term planning for Department capital assets to analysis of marketplace opportunities. In addition, the Division devises measures and tools with which to assess Department functions and processes.

FACILITIES PLANNING, DESIGN, & CONSTRUCTION

301 West Preston St.
Baltimore, MD 21201 - 2305

Facilities Planning, Design, and Construction began as the Office of Plant Management in 1971 to oversee State buildings and grounds in Annapolis and Baltimore. The Office reorganized in 1974 as the Division of Plant Management under the Office of Engineering and Construction. By 1979, the Division joined the Office of Facilities Acquisition and Management, which became the Office of Facilities Management by 1985. Renamed the Office of Statewide Facilities Maintenance in 1989, it reformed in 1993 as Facilities Planning, Engineering, and Construction. At that time, Facilities Operations and Maintenance assumed oversight of government buildings and grounds. In January 2001, the Office became Facilities Planning, Design, and Construction.

Facilities Planning, Design, and Construction is responsible for Management Information, the Project Cost Center, and four divisions: Construction and Inspection; Energy Projects and Services; Maintenance Engineering; and Project Management and Design. This office also provides architectural and engineering staff to the General Professional Services Selection Board.

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
301 West Preston St.
Baltimore, MD 21201 - 2305

The Management Information Division began in 1981 as a program under the Project Cost Center. In 1994, it was elevated to a division under Facilities Planning, Engineering, and Construction and assumed its present name.

The Capital Projects Database is developed and maintained by the Division on the Department's AS/400 computer system. The Database links scheduling and budget information for capital projects, and reports on their progress throughout design and construction. For Facilities Planning, Engineering, and Construction, the Division provides information on active, inactive and completed projects. In addition, the Division produces annual reports for the Department, and helps management staff use computer software applications and hardware operations.

PROJECT COST CENTER
301 West Preston St., Room 1402
Baltimore, MD 21201

The Project Cost Center started in 1970. It provides architectural engineering and construction services in the cost management of major and complex building and related facilities projects. For the Department of Budget and Management, the Center reviews and revises capital budget requests from State agencies, including estimates analysis, conceptual design, and coordination. It also supervises value engineering procedures of in-house personnel and consultants to assure that capital projects over $10 million stay within their budget; prepares the Department's capital budget; and represents the Department at legislative budget hearings.

CONSTRUCTION & INSPECTION DIVISION

301 West Preston St., Room 1212
Baltimore, MD 21201

Origins of the Construction and Inspection Division date to 1970, when the Construction Supervision and Inspection Division formed. Renamed Construction Management and Assessment Division in 1992, the Division became Construction and Assessment in 1993, and later that year the Construction Division. In 1996, it received its present name.

The Division inspects and supervises private contractors as they alter, renovate, or construct State buildings. By monitoring their work, the Division ensures that construction conforms to approved designs and specifications.

ENERGY PROJECTS & SERVICES DIVISION

The Energy Projects and Services Division assists State agencies in reducing energy consumption and improving indoor air quality. It also manages the Chlorofluorocarbon Phase-out Program.

Energy Projects and Services organized in 1992 under the Engineering and Design Division, which became the Project Management and Design Division in 1996. From December 1999 to January 2001, Energy Projects and Services functioned under the Assistant Secretary for Facilities Planning, Engineering, and Construction. In January 2001, it became an independent division.

MAINTENANCE ENGINEERING DIVISION

301 West Preston St., Room 1402
Baltimore, MD 21201

Created in December 1998, the Maintenance Engineering Division assists the Secretary of General Services in implementing maintenance management services for all State-owned facilities. The Division helps develop policies and procedures; establish, supervise, and review maintenance and repair programs for all public improvements; and resolve engineering problems. The Division also manages the capital and operating budgets for maintenance; hazardous materials projects; and critical maintenance projects under Program Open Space.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT & DESIGN DIVISION

301 West Preston St., Room 1405
Baltimore, MD 21201 - 2305

The Project Management and Design Division was created in 1970 as the Design and Approval Division. Renamed Technical Services in 1991, it reorganized as the Engineering and Design Division in 1992. Under its present name, it assumed duties of the Project Management Division, and the Public School and Community College Construction Division in 1996.

The Division prepares all project documents required to construct and renovate State facilities. It oversees the work of architectural and engineering firms in preparing construction documents; reviews those documents at programmed stages of development; administers the construction bidding phase of the project; and advises the Construction Division during construction of any technical changes that occur.

To maintain State-owned facilities, the Division sets standards; assesses the condition and management practices of each building; and, for most facilities, reviews and verifies the funding needed for maintenance. For Facilities Operations and Maintenance, the Division performs special consulting services. In addition, the Division administers two programs: Community College Capital Improvement, and Public School Construction.

Community College Capital Improvement Program. For community colleges, the Division reviews design documents of each State-funded project, and master plans for the facilities of each institution and program.

Public School Construction Program. For public school construction, the Division reviews requests from each local education agency, participates in public hearings, and reviews design documents for all public school projects receiving State funding. It recommends which projects should be authorized for construction bidding.

DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES POLICE

Formerly within Facilities Operations and Maintenance, the Department of General Services Police became an independent unit in April 2003. Through its Annapolis Detachment and Baltimore Detachment, the Police provides security for the Annapolis and Baltimore State Office Centers.

ANNAPOLIS DETACHMENT

The Annapolis Detachment provides security to nineteen buildings, including the State House, the Revenue Administration and the Goldstein Treasury Buildings, as well as the Lowe House Office Building, the James Senate Office Building, and the Miller Senate Office Building. In addition, the Detachment oversees five parking garages and eleven surface parking lots. The Annapolis Detachment is responsible for public demonstrations held on State property and coordinates traffic enforcement and other security matters with the Department of State Police and the Annapolis Police Department.

BALTIMORE DETACHMENT

The Baltimore Detachment provides law enforcement and security for eleven buildings, six State parking lots, and four parking garages in Baltimore City. It also has concurrent jurisdiction for traffic enforcement. The buildings include 201, 300, and 301 West Preston Street, the Fifth Regiment Armory, the William Donald Schaefer Tower, the Public Defender Building, Saratoga State Center, Civic Plaza, 2100 Guilford Avenue, 500 North Calvert Street, and 201 St. Paul Street.

PROCUREMENT & LOGISTICS

301 West Preston St.
Baltimore, MD 21201 - 2305

In 1970, Procurement and Logistics began as the Office of Central Services. The Office reorganized as Services and Logistics in 1991, and as Procurement and Logistics in 1995. It separated in July 2001 into Procurement and Contracting, and Logistics and Special Projects. Their merger in April 2003 again formed Procurement and Logistics.

Procurement and Logistics oversees the Office of Business Enterprise; Logistics; and Procurement.

OFFICE OF BUSINESS ENTERPRISE

Originally Minority Business Enterprise, the Office of Business Enterprise assumed its current name in January 2005. It oversees departmental procedures and policies for procuring supplies, services, maintenance, architectural and engineering services, and construction contracts. The Office also monitors procurement contract performance to ensure compliance with State law. To secure at least fourteen percent of both total contract dollars and number of procurements for certified minority business enterprises, the Office conducts outreach activities within the minority business community (Code State Finance and Procurement Article, secs. 14-301 through 14-308).

LOGISTICS

In June 2005, Logistics formed as a separate office to oversee the Inventory Standards and Support Services Division, Maryland State Agency for Surplus Property, the Records Management Division, and State Printing and Duplicating.

INVENTORY STANDARDS & SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
301 West Preston St., Room 1301
Baltimore, MD 21201 - 2308

The Inventory Standards and Support Services Division originated in 1977 as the Inventory Management Division (Chapter 970, Acts of 1977). It became the Inventory Standards and Support Services Division in 1992. As Inventory Standards and Support Services, it was placed under the Materials Management Division in 1996. It reorganized as a division again in 1997. In June 2005, the Division moved under Logistics.

The Division manages the use of State government property and plans and controls inventories of State materials, supplies, and food items. To minimize the cost of maintaining inventories, it establishes investment standards and controls for government agencies. The Division issues policy guidelines and regulations and provides technical assistance to State agencies on inventory controls, planning, storage, and distribution. It manages physical inventory, personal property disposal, and the Department's Fleet Management Program. The Division also oversees the Automated Fuel Management Program which has 87 refueling sites statewide dispensing gasoline, diesel fuel, motor oil, and alternative fuels to some 12,000 State agency vehicles.

MARYLAND STATE AGENCY FOR SURPLUS PROPERTY
P. O. Box 122
Brock Bridge Road
Jessup, MD 20794 - 0122

The Maryland State Agency for Surplus Property acquires for sale or other purposes federal and State surplus property. Surplus State property is available for sale to government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or the general public. Federal surplus property is limited to eligible donee institutions. The Agency is a self-sustaining public service.

Inmates from Jessup correctional facilities who are in the pre-release program are offered training and jobs by the Agency. The prisoners are taught wood refinishing; reupholstery; automotive repair; and general construction and maintenance. The Agency also coordinates with other State agencies such programs as the distribution of surplus federal blankets to homeless shelters, and surplus federal computers and educational equipment to local school boards.

Organized in 1947, the Agency was established by Executive Order in 1955. Formerly under the University of Maryland, the Agency joined the Department of General Services in 1987 (Executive Order 01.01.1987.19). In 1996, it was placed under the Materials Management Division and, in 1997, under Finance and Administration. In 1999, it became part of Facilities Operations and Maintenance. In April 2003, the Agency transferred to Procurement and Logistics, and became responsible for the Records Management Division in August 2003. In June 2005, the Agency moved under Logistics.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION
P. O. Box 275
State Records Management Center
7275 Waterloo Road (Routes 175 & U.S. 1)
Jessup, MD 20794 - 0275

Authorized in 1953, the Records Management Division originally was administered by the Hall of Records Commission (Chapter 436, Acts of 1953). The Division moved to the Department of General Services in 1984 (Chapter 286, Acts of 1984). It was placed under the Maryland State Agency for Surplus Property in August 2003, and under Logistics in June 2005.

The Division manages the records of all departments and agencies of Maryland State government and helps prepare retention and disposal schedules for those records. By law, no public records of State agencies can be destroyed without scheduling and the prior approval of the State Archives.

At the Central Records Center in Jessup, the Division stores inactive State records, which must be retained for specified periods of time to meet State legal and administrative needs. The Division also coordinates the Forms Management Program and the forms management plans of each department or agency to minimize the number of forms needed. In addition, to all State agencies, the Division offers cost-reimbursable microfilm services, including both source-document and computer-output microfilming (Code State Government Article, secs. 10-631 through 10-634).

STATE PRINTING & DUPLICATING
301 West Preston St., Room M-8
Baltimore, MD 21201 - 2305

State Printing and Duplicating evolved from certain functions of two agencies: the Purchasing Bureau and the Office Services Section. In 1970, the Office Services Section formed within the Office of Central Services. When the printing purchasing functions of the Purchasing Bureau combined with the Office Services Section, the Printing and Publication Division was created in 1974. After formation of the Office of Procurements and Contracting, the Division restructured as the Graphics and Reproduction Services in 1994. It was renamed the Visual Communications and Digital Imaging Division in 1997. In April 2003, it became part of Procurement and Logistics, and in February 2004 assumed its present name. In June 2005, it moved under Logistics.

State Printing and Duplicating assists State agencies with graphic reproduction, including printing, publishing, duplicating, photocopying, graphic design, typography and graphic art production. It helps State agencies set performance standards and goals for in-State duplicating and copying installations. State Printing and Duplicating also prepares State specifications and standards for printing, publication, equipment, and supplies. Procurements of equipment, supplies and services for them are made by or through State Printing and Duplicating and are subject to its standards (Code State Finance and Procurement Article, sec. 4-305).

PROCUREMENT

Within Procurement and Logistics, procurement units were placed under a Director of Procurement in December 2003. The units include: Commodity Procurement; Construction Contracting; Facilities Maintenance Contracting; Management Support; and Technology.

COMMODITY PROCUREMENT
Commodity Procurement began in 1920 as the Central Purchasing Bureau (Chapter 184, Acts of 1920). The Bureau was placed under the Department of General Services in 1970 (Chapter 97, Acts of 1970). In 1993, the Bureau was made part of the Procurement and Contracting Office. In April 2003, it was placed under Procurement and Logistics as the Commodity Procurement and Purchasing Bureau. Later, in 2003, it reorganized as Commodity Procurement.

Commodity Procurement purchases all materials, supplies, and equipment used by State agencies. Annually, it buys over $150 million worth of commodities ranging from office supplies to medicines and food items.

State agencies must submit requisitions to Commodity Procurement for all purchases, except exempt commodities or those costing less than $1,000. The requisition identifies both the commodity and quantity requested. The commodity may be ordered through an open-ended contract developed by Commodity Procurement, bid through Commodity Procurement as an individual requirement, or ordered as part of its scheduled purchase program. Emergency procurements can be made by an agency whenever the purchase is necessary to preserve human life or State property (Code State Finance and Procurement Article, secs. 4-301 through 4-315).

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTING
Construction Contracting started in December 1993 as Facilities and Construction Contracting. In 2003, that agency was restructured as two separate units: Construction Contracting, and Facilities Maintenance Contracting. To support State facility construction and renewal, the unit arranges for architectural, engineering, and construction services.

FACILITIES MAINTENANCE CONTRACTING
Facilities Maintenance Contracting began as Services Contracting in December 1993, became Maintenance Contracting in June 2000, and reorganized under its present name in 2003. It procures all building services for State-owned buildings. Contracts are made for a variety of services, including janitorial services, pest control, security, carpentry, painting, mechanical equipment, and plumbing.

MANAGEMENT SUPPORT
Management Support originated as the Contract Services Division under Finance and Administration. The Division was renamed Management Support and made part of the Procurement and Contracting Office in 1993. In April 2003, it transferred to Procurement and Logistics.

Management Support oversees all capital project bidding and prepares and distributes the Department's action agenda to the Board of Public Works. The unit also prepares and distributes the agenda of the Procurement Review Board. Monthly, the unit compiles a Procurement Agency Activity Report that describes transactions approved by the Procurement Review Board.

TECHNOLOGY
Within the Office of Procurement and Contracting, Technology was established in June 2000. In April 2003, it moved to Procurement and Logistics.

Technology provides support and training for the Advanced Purchasing and Inventory Control System (ADPICS). ADPICS replaced the Central Automated Purchasing System (CAPS) in 1995, and was designed as part of the statewide Financial Management Information System (FMIS), an integrated management information system. Many procurement and inventory functions were automated by ADPICS, allowing government agencies to report procurement and inventory data as well as process procurement requests electronically.

Since March 2000, Technology also has been responsible for eMaryland Marketplace, an internet-based procurement system.

REAL ESTATE

[photo, 300 West Preston St., Baltimore, Maryland] 300 West Preston St., Room 601
Baltimore, MD 21201 - 2308

In July 1978, Real Estate was formed by the Department of General Services. This office coordinates the State's real estate activities and long-term strategic planning for the acquisition and disposition of leased and State-owned real property.

300 West Preston St., Baltimore, Maryland, December 2000. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Legal counsel is provided to Real Estate by assistant attorneys general, who prepare and review leases, contracts of sale, deeds, easements, rights-of-way, and real estate transaction documents. They acquire title insurance and ensure the accuracy of title and property descriptions. To other State agencies, assistance is provided with interagency transfers or agreements, and joint acquisitions of property.

Under Real Estate are three units: Land Acquisition and Disposal; Lease Management and Procurement; and Valuation and Appraisal.

LAND ACQUISITION & DISPOSAL

Land Acquisition and Disposal began in 1969 as the Land Acquisition Division of the Department of Public Improvements (Chapter 403, Acts of 1969). The Division joined the Department of General Services in 1970 and became Land Acquisition and Disposal in 1991. In 1995, functions of Land Acquisition and Disposal merged with Lease Management and Procurement. In 1998, they were made separate units.

Land Acquisition and Disposal purchases, leases, and disposes of real property for all State agencies (except the Department of Transportation). The office also oversees the Program Open Space unit.

PROGRAM OPEN SPACE
The Program Open Space unit started in 1996. It acquires all Open Space property for State parks, wildlife preserves, and natural environment areas for the Department of Natural Resources. To secure such property, the unit obtains independent appraisals, negotiates with owners, secures purchase options, and requests Board of Public Works approval on the proposed terms of purchase. The disposition of excess property and property transfers between State agencies also are processed by Program Open Space and presented for approval to the Board of Public Works. In addition, the unit obtains or grants rights of way and public utility, preservation and scenic easements (Code State Finance and Procurement Article, secs. 4-411 through 4-414).

LEASE MANAGEMENT & PROCUREMENT

For State agencies, Lease Management and Procurement oversees the acquisition of commercial real property for use as State offices and procures leases of real property (Code State Finance and Procurement Article, secs. 4-318 through 4-321). Formed in 1998, this unit conducts surveys of State requirements for leased space, sets standards for the allocation and assignment of leased and State-owned space, and approves space modifications. The unit ensures landlord compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and oversees alterations of leased facilities. In addition, the unit negotiates certain concession agreements and makes recommendations to the Board of Public Works on the need for State office space construction.

VALUATION & APPRAISAL

Created in 1992, Valuation and Appraisal oversees matters of real estate valuation for all State agencies, except the Department of Transportation. The unit obtains and reviews independent appraisals of properties to be acquired by State government. It also evaluates appraisals for capital grants and loans, the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, and disposal of State real property assets. In addition, the unit conducts staff appraisals and special studies.

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