The government has extended the deadline for bids from Kansas City real estate companies looking to house two USDA scientific agencies, while the current landlord for one of those agencies contests the relocation, reported Politico. NBL Associates, which rents space to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, says it should be allowed to take part in the bidding process and that the search should start over with the General Services Administration in charge, according to a document obtained by Politico.
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced in June that Kansas City would be the new home of NIFA and the Economic Research Service. The USDA then put the GSA, which manages property for the government, in charge of finding office space for the agencies. The USDA said it would house employees in temporary space in Kansas City while the dispute is resolved. The first wave of relocated employees is expected to report to Kansas City by Aug. 1.