U.S. Government Services
A PROUD RELOCATION MANAGEMENT PROVIDER TO THOSE SERVING OUR COUNTRY
Since 1984, Sirva, dba BGRS, Inc. (“BGRS”), has been a trusted advisor and partner to the nation’s top federal agencies. Our decades-long history of serving the U.S. government is backed by our unparalleled experience in conforming to both the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) and our deep understanding of the General Services Administration’s (GSA’s) stringent relocation policy requirements and guidelines.
Since the award of our first Government contract in 1984, we have supported 40+ federal and quasi-governmental agencies and managed more than 147,500 U.S. federal moves. We have also expertly handled 280,000 moves for the Canadian Government over the past 15 years.
OUR EXPERIENCE HAS YOU COVERED
As the relocation industry’s leading federal contractor, we offer complete, reliable relocation services in full compliance with the GSA Schedule 48 and all U.S. government contracting requirements. We value our long-standing relationship with the U.S. government and take our responsibility to the federal agencies and employees we serve seriously.
Highlighting our experience and leadership in serving the government sector, we have proudly played a key role in the following federal community forums for many years:
- Senior Executives Association (SEA) Corporate Advisory Council: Serve as an advocate for our government clients’ relocation interests to federal leaders.
- Government Relocation Advisory Board (GRAB): Served as an active member focused on transforming the relocation provisions of the FTR.
Our agency clients are governed by the highest ethical standards and quality control elements:
GOVERNMENT-TRAINED AND GOVERNMENT-CLEARED PERSONNEL:
All dedicated team members are U.S. citizens and hold or are in the process of obtaining Position of Public Trust security clearances.
STRINGENT SECURITY PROTOCOLS:
All systems, facilities, personnel, and data accessibility are U.S-based and carefully constructed to adhere to government standards and protect the sensitive information entrusted to us.
SECURE RELOCATION MANAGEMENT PORTAL:
Adheres to the highest global standards for data security with multi-factor authentication, biometrics, and user-level validation.
PROPRIETARY GCERTIFIED™ PROGRAM:
All dedicated government team members and service partners are required to participate in a Sirva, dba BGRS-developed course to learn FTR/FAR requirements and understand government culture.
Sirva, dba BGRS, Inc., stands as a steadfast and proud relocation service partner to the U.S. government. With a commitment to excellence, efficiency, and unparalleled service, we have consistently demonstrated its ability to meet the unique needs and challenges of government-sponsored relocations. Through innovative solutions, rigorous adherence to compliance, and a dedicated team of professionals, we ensure that every relocation undertaken in partnership with the U.S. government is executed with precision and care.
MORE THAN A MOVER
In addition to providing relocation management services, we play a pivotal role in supporting U.S. federal government agencies in crafting relocation strategies that seamlessly integrate with overarching talent management objectives. By leveraging our expertise and experience in mobility solutions, we ensure that relocation initiatives align closely with broader talent management goals.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI):
We help our government clients create mobility programs that prioritize DEI through services like cultural training, which is designed to introduce employees to the customs, traditions, and social norms of their new destination, helping them navigate disparate environments and foster inclusive interactions with colleagues and community members.
SPOUSE AND PARTNER ASSISTANCE:
We provide personalized services to help facilitate integration into the new community, such as mentor and support networks and career assistance, which may include resume writing and interviewing, introductions/networking opportunities, and traditional job placement services in the destination location.
CAREER ADVANCEMENT:
We support a mobile employee's career advancement through a range of relocation service solutions and policies designed to facilitate professional growth and development. We enable mobile employees to seamlessly transition to new roles and opportunities while supporting their long-term professional success within the organization.
Employee Retention:
We contribute to our government clients’ employee retention by facilitating smooth transitions and providing personalized support throughout the relocation process, enhancing job satisfaction, maintaining loyalty, and safeguarding institutional knowledge.
By connecting relocations with these critical goals, Sirva, dba BGRS, not only facilitates efficient moves but also actively contributes to the long-term success and effectiveness of U.S. federal government agencies' talent management strategies.
As we look towards the future, we remain unwavering in our dedication to facilitating seamless transitions for government employees and their families, thereby upholding our shared commitment to service, integrity, and excellence.
RELOCATION SERVICES
We have been authorized by the GSA to provide the following relocation services to the federal government under Schedule Title: Transportation, Delivery & Relocation Services; SIN 531 (Schedule 48); Contract number: GS-33F-001HA.
The following Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) outlines the Special Item Numbers (SINs) we are approved to provide to the U.S. government:
653-1 Home Sale
653-4 Entitlement Counseling
653-1B Marketing Assistance
653-5 Agency Customizes Services
653-5 Property Management
653-7 Move Management
For a complete history and listing of services, please refer to our GSA-Approved Catalog.
GREATER SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT VIA A HOLISTIC RELOCATION STRATEGY
This article by Jesper Lovendahl, CEO & Founder of ExpatRide and Pavla Skorpilova, Sustainability Manager at ExpatRide is based on the White Paper "Driving Sustainability: The Case for Eco-Conscious Assignments in Global Mobility," which explores the industry challenges and opportunities holistically, focusing on the sustainable choices of employees on assignment.
Looking at global mobility holistically, prioritizing sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations is becoming a legal imperative and a strategic advantage for forward-thinking organizations. Change is the essence of relocation, and despite people's tendency to fear it, there is a vast opportunity gap when a major change in life happens. Based on a research study conducted by Professor Bas Verplanken in 2016, it was concluded that individuals who relocate have much higher potential to acquire new habits than those who do not make such a move. These individuals are simply more open to learning and adopting more sustainable practices. (1)
What if we use this opportunity gap to plant a seed of sustainable actions throughout the relocation lifecycle and far beyond?
Global Mobility and its Potential for Decreasing the Carbon Footprint
Moving people and their belongings is necessary for assignees, and its impact on carbon emissions cannot be overlooked. Sustainability measures will become increasingly important to a growing number of stakeholders throughout organizations, with procurement departments being particularly affected when it comes to Scope 3 emissions, given that the majority of Scope 3 emissions are generated outside of the organization. According to the EcoVadis Sustainability Procurement Barometer 2024, almost 90% of leaders claim that Scope 3 reductions and net-zero targets are the top drivers of their sustainability programs. (2)
When we zoom in on Scope 3 emissions and the relevant supplier categories, it comes down to the logistics of moving the assignees and their belongings, housing, transportation, and fitting into the new community with the assistance of related service providers. However, Scope 3 emissions also include how the assignees live their lives on assignment and the choices they make. Despite the Global Mobility industry focusing on the initial move and the “big one-time events creating a substantial carbon footprint,” it is the small everyday activities that in the long run exceed the carbon footprint of the move or the flight.
Daily transportation and personal logistics also significantly contribute to the carbon footprint, with cars and vans alone emitting 48% of the total CO2 emissions from global transport, making them the largest contributor within the global transportation sector (3). This underscores the importance of private transport and individual responsibility while also presenting a substantial opportunity for facilitating change. Organizations can contribute to promoting more sustainable transportation choices within host countries by encouraging the use of public transportation systems, initiating carpooling programs, or providing incentives for adopting electric or hybrid vehicles. By prioritizing sustainable transportation throughout the relocation lifecycle, global mobility professionals and assignees can play a crucial role in mitigating the environmental impact of talent relocation and fostering a more sustainable future.
Case Study: Putting the Move into Perspective: How a More Sustainable Commute Can Offset a 40-foot Container MoveWith the help of an example, let us give more context on how a regular activity, such as car commuting, can be done more sustainably when on an international assignment. Can the switch from petrol-fueled cars to electric cars help make a difference in the whole assignment lifecycle? Assume a relocation of an assignee with his family from the US to the UK for a period of two years where the assignee is. Moving the family's household belongings back and forth will emit roughly 4.1 tones of CO₂e. The assignee must commute daily due to limited public transportation options. If the assignee drives 12,000 miles per year in a petrol car with an average consumption of 8 liters/100 km, the carbon footprint of his driving results in 7.5 tones of CO₂e over the two-year assignment. Choosing an electric car with an average consumption of 17 kWh/100 km saves about 80% of CO₂ emissions, with a total of 1.7t of CO₂e emitted. In other words, by driving an electric car on an assignment, 5.8t of CO₂ can be saved. Thereby "offsetting" more than the carbon footprint of the 40-foot container shipment. |
(For more context on the case study, read the White Paper)
A Collective Commitment to Sustainable Relocation
Sustainability is a journey. And the journey towards sustainable relocation practices requires a joint effort from all stakeholders involved. Each stakeholder - be it the relocating employee, the corporation, or the relocation consultant - has a role to play in this journey. By collaborating and committing to ongoing education to get a deeper understanding of the importance of sustainable choices, we must take the initiative and motivate the assignees to make informed decisions that align with sustainability goals.
It is time to shift our focus to a more comprehensive view of relocation, one that encompasses the entire relocation lifecycle. This includes pre-move planning, the physical move, settling in, but also long-term daily activities. Merely concentrating on the initial move underestimates the cumulative effect of everyday actions. Our daily habits and routines are deeply ingrained in our behavior, making it challenging to change their course. However, the initial months of relocation present a unique window for change. This opportunity should not be overlooked; instead, it should be harnessed through well-timed incentives and support systems that promote sustainable behavior from the start.
For those interested in a deeper dive into ExpatRide’s comprehensive White Paper, please read the full version here and join us on our journey toward a more sustainable future. And for more information on how Sirva is helping organizations navigate the journeys of their mobility programs to sustainability, please email us at concierge@sirva.com or reach out to your Sirva representative.
Learn more about Mobility’s impact on sustainability:
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| Navigating the Journey to Sustainability | A Deep Dive into Schneider Electric's Impactful ESG Initiatives | Global Mobility Cost Optimization |
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