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.
Webinar Replay: Real Estate Lawsuits Updates – What You Need To Know For Your Relocation Program
There has been a lot of discussion about the significant changes brought about by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) rulings and a need for mobility managers and organizations to understand the implications for mobility programs. Sirva has been monitoring the situation, clarifying the impacts on processes, defining approaches, and sharing what mobility managers need to know about these latest developments.
The latest event in Sirva’s 2024 Continuing Education Webinar series — Real Estate Lawsuit Updates: What You Need To Know For Your Relocation Program — hosted by Sirva’s Jeff Margolis, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, provides an overview of today’s real estate landscape, specifically the impact of ongoing lawsuits against NAR and how they impact relocation programs. This webinar covers how:
- Current commission practices may affect your relocation strategies
- Sirva has been preparing for these changes and the actions we are taking
- Industry peers are approaching these changes and addressing any potential relocation policy changes
What’s Changed?
The webinar goes into more detail on what buyer brokerage is and the changes that have occurred, but here are the highlights, including:
- Buyer agency agreements are required for NAR members.
- The amount the buyer broker will be paid must be specified, it cannot be open ended, zero or modified.
- Buyer brokers cannot be paid more than what is agreed upon.
- Offers of buyer broker compensation are prohibited in the MLS, but can be provided on the broker’s site.
- There are changes to the listing agreements between transferring employees and listing agents that clearly outline how much the listing agent is receiving and how much the seller is willing to pay towards buyer compensation.
- NAR rules may impact renters as well, which could result in renters paying commissions if the landlord does not agree to pay the commission.
- Updated paperwork exists for new moves, as well as for all in-process moves.
Sirva Policy Recommendations
While this situation is fluid and subject to change, there are some policy recommendations we are making to clients at this time:
- Home sale – we recommend continued payment of full commission.
- Home purchase – we recommend not covering buyer broker commissions at this time.
- Relocation policy - update your relocation policy language to be clear on what is included in home purchase benefits and establish well defined exception and escalation protocols.
- Employee engagement – monitor your relocating employees’ situations on a case-by-case basis, keep the lines of communication open, and continue to track the market for changes.
Ensuring Your Program is Ready
- Be flexible. Know that this is a fluid situation, and changes will be ongoing.
- Plan your course. Review the impacts of recent changes on your program and processes to determine your approach and any potential policy updates.
- Learn from the experts. Understand the value of Sirva’s Preferred Broker Network, as well as the value of pre-approvals with Sirva Mortgage.
- Stay educated. Keep an eye out for updates from Sirva as we continue to monitor the industry and markets for further clarifications.
Watch our webinar replay for more insights on what you need to know about navigating recent real estate changes and supporting your relocating employees. If you would like to have further discussions on this topic, please contact us at concierge@sirva.com or reach out to your Sirva representative.
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