USDA has developed criteria to evaluate the 136 expressions of interest received from parties in 35 states vying to become the new homes of the Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced in August 2018 that most ERS and NIFA personnel would be moving to outside of the National Capital Region by the end of 2019.

Related: Democrats introduce bill to keep ERS, NIFA in nation's capital

“We don’t undertake these relocations lightly, and we are doing it to improve performance and the services these agencies provide,” Perdue said. “We will be placing important USDA resources closer to many stakeholders, most of whom live and work far from Washington, D.C. We will be saving money for the taxpayers and improving our ability to retain more employees in the long run. And we are increasing the probability of attracting highly-qualified staff with training and interests in agriculture, many of whom come from land-grant universities.”

USDA is following a rigorous site selection process, with leadership from USDA, ERS, and NIFA involved. USDA has retained Ernst & Young, a leading provider of professional services with a dedicated construction and real estate advisory services practice, to assist in the relocation efforts. 

Based on the Expressions of Interest submitted in response to the USDA Notice of Request for Expression of Interest for Potential Sites for Headquarters Office Locations dated Aug. 15, 2018, and extended through Oct. 15, 2018, Ernst & Young and USDA developed initial criteria for site selection.  USDA will apply a set of guiding principles, including locations meeting USDA travel requirements, locations with specific labor force statistics, and locations with work hours most compatible with all USDA office schedules.

Additionally, using the high-level criteria posted in the Federal Register (transportation logistics, workforce, community/quality of life, and capital and operating costs), USDA has defined criteria to apply to the Expressions of Interest:

Questions regarding the USDA site selection process should be directed to [email protected].

Source: USDA