FCC Landlord's Arguments a 'Conspiracy Theory,' Says Developer
The FCC's current landlord is attempting to deprive the General Services Administration of its discretion to choose the commission's next headquarters, said developer Trammell Crow in a partially redacted filing in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Current landlord Parcel…
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49C, an affiliate of Republic Properties, argued there was a conflict of interest (see 1609010075) in the GSA's selection of a new FCC HQ in the Trammell Crow owned-Sentinel Square, near North Capitol and L streets NE in Washington's NoMa district. CBRE, which GSA contracted to broker the FCC's search for a new home, owns Trammell Crow, the eventual winning bidder. CBRE also represented Parcel 49C. This wasn't a conflict because the information and employees involved were kept separate at the intertwined companies, Trammell Crow said. “Procurement information was properly contained within a firewall at CBRE,” said the filing. ”No procurement information had been shared between CBRE and Trammel Crow Company.” Parcel 49C's allegations amount to an “unsupported conspiracy theory,” Trammell Crow said. The real estate developer also took issue with Parcel 49C's arguments that the FCC's requests for its new building -- which include an 11-1/2-foot ceiling on the first floor and a backup power source -- are “unduly restrictive of competition.” Parcel 49C “would prefer the FCC remain in its antiquated building as is, in order to increase its profits,” Trammell Crow said. “Binding precedent, however, instructs that this Court will defer to an agency’s determination of its own needs.” Parcel 49C didn't comment Wednesday.