Three Questions with Craig Aycock
National Transaction Manager
Trammell Crow Company

Craig Aycock is National Transaction Manager for Trammell Crow Company, a global real estate services firm. The editors of “Managing Change” recently learned more about the role of federal lease brokers, and learned more about the GSA National Broker Contract.

Q: What does your job entail?

A: As Trammell Crow’s National Transaction Manager, I service Trammell Crow’s National Broker Contract by facilitating the lease transactions received by GSA from federal agencies throughout the United States. Once a request for space is received, I work with our brokers in the field to search and complete the leases. With my team here in Washington, DC, I help process the Solicitation for Offers (SFO) within each of the GSA regions. I analyze, negotiate and process all transactions through to contract award. Once we award the lease, my team helps manage any construction needed for new and existing premises.

Q: How do you help GSA manage the federal leases?

A: Our job at Trammell Crow is to help GSA negotiate the best lease deal for the federal government through broker contracts. Trammell Crow Company maintains a national presence in markets across the United States. Markets vary from region to region; some are more aggressive in rent and construction cost than others, which necessitates having on-location brokers familiar with the peculiarities of each region. Dealing with these markets on a daily basis ensures the best possible rate for each lease agreement.

Q: Where do you see the GSA National Broker Contract going?

A: The federal budget is stretched for GSA, as it is for all agencies. The support provided by brokers in federal lease agreements enables GSA to complete jobs in a timely and cost-effective manner. Having brokers do the transaction groundwork for GSA will allow the agency to work on its ever-increasing portfolio with a reduced workforce. A partnership between GSA and federal brokers will help the federal government control the cost of an expanding federal portfolio and ensure it is competitive with current market values.