After the pandemic restrictions, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) promotes more flexibility for federal workplaces. The agency is making deals with different co-working spaces to allow employees to work outside traditional offices.
Last week, GSA implemented its long-term plans to allow more flexibility in federal workplaces. The agency awarded contracts with five co-working spaces companies: WeWork, LiquidSpace, Deskpass, Expansive (formerly Novel Co-working), and The Yard.
The aim is to provide flexible workspaces for federal employees nationwide. Initially, GSA opened opportunities to submit proposals for shared office space. The locations must include:
- Workstations
- Internet, printers, office equipment
- Shared kitchens, restrooms, and open seating areas.
As a result, GSA estimates $50 million to launch this new strategy. Since 2011, GSA has funded over a dozen D.C. area telework centers for $3 million a year. The aim is to offer federal employees a flexible workplace, avoiding commuting to offices daily.
GSA is the country’s largest occupier of office space, and it’s now turning into a hybrid model. The new contracts are part of the Workplace 2030 project. The strategy wants to increase flexibility in federal workplaces to save office costs. Especially after the pandemic, hybrid and remote work solutions are the top strategies for private companies and federal agencies.
As WeWork CEO Sandeep Mathrani said: “The pandemic has fundamentally changed how work is approached, and now government agencies will have a tool to help employees succeed while saving costs. The workplace of the future requires flexibility, and GSA should be applauded for innovating.”
