WO AMENDMENT 6409.12-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/08/2014
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
6409.12_10
Page 1 of 12
FSH 6409.12 - LEASING OFFICERS’ HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 - REAL PROPERTY LEASING OFFICER WARRANT SYSTEM
Table of Contents
11 - PROCESS FOR REQUESTING A REAL PROPERTY LEASING WARRANT ....... 2
11.1 - Levels of Warrants ........................................................................................................... 3
11.2 - Qualification Requirements .............................................................................................. 3
12 - ISSUANCE OF A REAL PROPERTY LEASING WARRANT ................................. 8
12.1 - Appointments ................................................................................................................... 8
12.2 - Limitations ........................................................................................................................ 8
12.21 - Real Property Project Complexities ............................................................................... 8
12.3 - Display of Warrant ........................................................................................................... 8
13 - ADMINISTRATION OF A REAL PROPERTY LEASING WARRANT ..................... 9
13.1 - Reassignment of Duty Station .......................................................................................... 9
13.2 - Termination/Revocation of Appointment......................................................................... 9
13.3 - Request an Increase in Warrant Threshold ..................................................................... 10
14 - MAINTENANCE OF A REAL PROPERTY LEASING WARRANT ....................... 10
WO AMENDMENT 6409.12-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/08/2014
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
6409.12_10
Page 2 of 12
FSH 6409.12 - LEASING OFFICERS’ HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 - REAL PROPERTY LEASING OFFICER WARRANT SYSTEM
The Forest Service abides by Department Regulation (DR) 5100-003, U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) Real Property Leasing Officer Warrant System and the policy outlined
below to recommend qualified candidates for the issuance of a real property leasing warrant or
an increase in warrant threshold. The Director of the USDA, Office of Procurement and
Property Management (OPPM), or their designee, is the only official with authority to issue
warrants to Real Property Leasing Officers (RPLOs).
An electronic version of this DR can be accessed at:
http://www.dm.usda.gov/pmd/realprop_dir_regs.htm.
11 - PROCESS FOR REQUESTING A REAL PROPERTY LEASING WARRANT
The Asset Manager, Group Lead of Leasing, or Supervisory Leasing Specialist is responsible for
determining when real property leasing authority is needed to accommodate the leasing needs of
the unit. Need must be based on factors such as volume of actions, complexity of work, and
organizational structure.
When the need exists, the Asset Manager, Group Lead of Leasing, or Supervisory Leasing
Specialist should work with the Leasing staff to nominate a qualified candidate. In order to
determine whether a candidate is qualified, consideration must be given to the education,
training, experience, and grade-level requirements which are outlined in section 11.2.
In order to be considered for a real property leasing warrant, the candidate must complete the
following:
1. Request for Appointment, FS-6400-35
2. Qualifications Statement, FS-6400-36
3. Certification of Leasing Experience
An electronic version of FS-6400-35 and FS-6400-36 can be accessed via the Forest Service
Forms intranet site. An electronic version of the “Certification of Leasing Experience” form can
be accessed via the General Services Administration Real Estate Exchange system (G-Rex)
(see ch. 20, sec 25.1).
Once complete, all 3 forms should be signed by the Director of Acquisition Management (AQM)
for that unit and submitted via cover letter to the Washington Office, Director of AQM for
review. If approved, the Washington Office, Director of AQM will forward to the Director of
OPPM, or their designee, with a recommendation to issue a real property leasing warrant to the
recommended candidate.
WO AMENDMENT 6409.12-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/08/2014
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
6409.12_10
Page 3 of 12
FSH 6409.12 - LEASING OFFICERS’ HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 - REAL PROPERTY LEASING OFFICER WARRANT SYSTEM
11.1 - Levels of Warrants
1. Level 1/Simplified Acquisition: threshold of $150,000 net annual rent.
2. Level II/Intermediate Acquisition: threshold of $10,000,000 net annual rent.
3. Level III/Senior Acquisition: unlimited threshold.
11.2 - Qualification Requirements
These requirements apply to all candidates for permanent warrants, regardless of job series. See
exhibit 01 for a summation of these requirements.
1. Level 1/Simplified Acquisition (up to $150,000 net annual rent).
a. Grade – GS-9 or above.
b. Education – Not applicable.
c. Experience - At least 2 years (within the last 5 years) of real property experience
that includes the execution and administration of real property leases in accordance
with Federal leasing procedures.
d. Training - Successful completion of the courses listed below. Courses listed in
italic indicate new course requirements. Real Property Leasing Officers (RPLOs)
who were granted a real property leasing warrant prior to December 31, 2013 have
met the training course standards for their existing warrant.
Lease Acquisition Training
Techniques of Negotiating Federal Real Property Leases
Cost and Price Analysis of Lease Proposals
Federal Real Property Lease Law
Lease Administration**
2. Level II/Intermediate Acquisition (up to $10,000,000 net annual rent).
a. Grade – GS-11 or above. 

This is a Forest Service requirement.
**
This is a Forest Service requirement. Candidates in the 1102 job series may fulfill the Lease Administration
course requirement by taking the Contract Administration I course. For candidates not in the 1102 series, a training
course of equivalent content may be submitted to the Washington Office, Branch Chief of Asset Management for a
substitution determination.
* This is a Forest Service requirement.
WO AMENDMENT 6409.12-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/08/2014
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
6409.12_10
Page 4 of 12
FSH 6409.12 - LEASING OFFICERS’ HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 - REAL PROPERTY LEASING OFFICER WARRANT SYSTEM
b. Education - Must have completed a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s
degree or 24 semester hours in any combination of the business fields listed below.
RPLOs who currently have a real property leasing warrant have met the education
standards for their existing warrant.
Accounting
Business
Finance
Law
Contracts
Purchasing
Economics
Industrial Management
Marketing
Quantitative Methods
Organization and Management
Training courses of equivalent content may be submitted to the Director of OPPM, or
their designee, for a substitution determination. Such courses may be accomplished
through (but not limited to) 80-credit hours from an accredited institution of higher
learning in pre-law, real property management and/or business administration.
c. Experience - At least 3 years (within the last 7 years) of real property experience
that includes the management of market surveys, solicitations, negotiations,
administration of appraisals (when needed), and the execution and administration of
complex real property leases in accordance with Federal leasing procedures.
d. Training - Successful completion of the courses listed below. Courses listed in
italic indicate new course requirements. RPLOs who were granted a real property
leasing warrant prior to December 13, 2013 have met the training course standards for
their existing warrant.
Lease Acquisition Training
Techniques of Negotiating Federal Real Property Leases
Cost and Price Analysis of Lease Proposals
Federal Real Property Lease Law
Lease Administration **
*This is a Forest Service requirement.
**
This is a Forest Service requirement. Candidates in the 1102 job series may fulfill the Lease Administration
course requirement by taking the Contract Administration I course. For candidates not in the 1102 job series, a
training course of equivalent content may be submitted to the Washington Office, Branch Chief of Asset
Management for a substitution determination. This process also applies to the Construction Contracting and Source
Selection training course requirements.
WO AMENDMENT 6409.12-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/08/2014
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
6409.12_10
Page 5 of 12
FSH 6409.12 - LEASING OFFICERS’ HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 - REAL PROPERTY LEASING OFFICER WARRANT SYSTEM
Construction Contracting**
Source Selection**
3. Level III/Senior Acquisition (Unlimited).
a. Grade - GS-12 or above. 
b. Education - Applicants at grade 12 must have completed a 4-year course of study
leading to a bachelor’s degree or 24 semester hours in any combination of the
business fields listed below. Applicants at grade 13 and above must have completed
a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree that included or was
supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the business fields
listed below.
RPLOs who currently have a real property leasing warrant have met the education
standards for their existing warrant.
Accounting
Business
Finance
Law
Contracts
Purchasing
Economics
Industrial Management
Marketing
Quantitative Methods
Organization and Management
Training courses of equivalent content may be submitted to the Director of OPPM, or
their designee, for a substitution determination. Such courses may be accomplished
through (but not limited to) 80-credit hours from an accredited institution of higher
learning in pre-law, real property management and/or business administration.
c. Experience - At least 4 years (within the last 10 years) of real property experience
that includes the management of market surveys, solicitations, negotiations,
administration of appraisals (when needed), and the execution and administration of
complex real property leases in accordance with Federal leasing procedures.
WO AMENDMENT 6409.12-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/08/2014
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
6409.12_10
Page 6 of 12
FSH 6409.12 - LEASING OFFICERS’ HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 - REAL PROPERTY LEASING OFFICER WARRANT SYSTEM
d. Training - Successful completion of the courses listed below. Courses listed in
italic indicate new course requirements. RPLOs who were granted a real property
leasing warrant prior to December 13, 2013 have met the training course standards for
their existing warrant.
Lease Acquisition Training
Techniques of Negotiating Federal Real Property Leases
Cost and Price Analysis of Lease Proposals
Federal Real Property Lease Law
Real Estate Appraisal Principles
Lease Administration **
Construction Contracting**
Source Selection**
*This is a Forest Service requirement.
**
This is a Forest Service requirement. Candidates in the 1102 job series may fulfill the Lease Administration
course requirement by taking the Contract Administration I course. For candidates not in the 1102 job series, a
training course of equivalent content may be submitted to the Washington Office, Branch Chief of Asset
Management for a substitution determination. This process also applies to the Construction Contracting and Source
Selection training course requirements.
WO AMENDMENT 6409.12-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/08/2014
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
6409.12_10
Page 7 of 12
FSH 6409.12 - LEASING OFFICERS’ HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 - REAL PROPERTY LEASING OFFICER WARRANT SYSTEM
11.2 - Exhibit 01
Summation of Qualification Requirements
Warrant
Levels
Grade
Level
Level
I/Simplified
Acquisition
(up to
$100,000 net
annual rent)
GS-9
or
above
Not applicable
Level
II/Intermediat
e Acquisition
(up to
$10,000,000
net annual
rent)
GS-11
or
above
4-year course of
study leading to a
bachelor’s degree or
24 semester hours in
related business
fields. (See section
11.2)
3 years
Level
III/Senior
Acquisition
(unlimited)
GS-12
or
above
Applicants at grade
12 must have
completed a 4-year
course of study
leading to a
bachelor’s degree or
24 semester hours in
related business
fields.
4 years
Warrant
Maintenance
GS -9
and
above
Education
Applicants at grade
13 and above must
have completed a 4year course of study
leading to a
bachelor’s degree
that included or was
supplemented by at
least 24 semester
hours in related
business fields.
(See section 11.2)
Not applicable
Real
Property
Experience
2 years
Not
applicable
Real Property
Training
Lease Acq Training
Tech of Neg Fed RP Lses
Cost & Price Anl of Lse
Prop
Fed RP Lse Law
Lease Admin or
Contracts
Admin I
Lease Acq Training
Tech of Neg Fed RP Lses
Cost & Price Anl of Lse
Prop
Fed RP Lse Law
Lease Admin or Contracts
Admin 1
Construction Contracting
Source Selection
Lease Acq Training
Tech of Neg Fed RP Lses
Cost & Price Anl of Lse
Prop
Federal RP Lse Law
Real Estate Apprais Princ
Lease Admin or Contracts
Admin
Construction Contracting
Source Selection
80 hours every 2 years
Training is due by the
anniversary date of the
issuance of the warrant
(not by calendar year).
Project
Complexities
Leases involving
the development
of complex
specifications
and/or award
criteria, difficult
negotiations, or
having political
overtones.
Leases involving
the development
of complex
specifications
and/or award
criteria, difficult
negotiations, or
having political
overtones.
WO AMENDMENT 6409.12-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/08/2014
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
6409.12_10
Page 8 of 12
FSH 6409.12 - LEASING OFFICERS’ HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 - REAL PROPERTY LEASING OFFICER WARRANT SYSTEM
12 - ISSUANCE OF A REAL PROPERTY LEASING WARRANT
12.1 - Appointments
The Director of OPPM, or their designee, will appoint all RPLOs, regardless of level, on form
SF-1402, Certificate of Appointment. The Certificate of Appointment will clearly state the
threshold for net annual rent and any limitation on the scope of the leasing authority contained
within, and will be signed by the Director of OPPM, or their designee. An original copy of the
Certificate of Appointment will be mailed via cover letter to the requesting unit.
The Asset Manager, Group Lead of Leasing and Property, or the Supervisory Leasing Specialist
is responsible for maintaining a file for each RPLO that includes a copy of the:
1. Request for Appointment
2. Qualifications Statement
3. Certification of Leasing Experience
4. Warrant
5. Training records
The USDA OPPM staff will also maintain an identical file for each RPLO.
12.2 - Limitations
The RPLO may only exercise the leasing authority which is specifically described on their
Certificate of Appointment.
12.21 - Real Property Project Complexities
Regardless of dollar level, the following types of leases should only be assigned to Level
II/Intermediate or Level III/Senior RPLOs: leases involving the development of complex
specifications and/or award criteria, difficult negotiations, or having political overtones.
12.3 - Display of Warrant
The RPLO should display the Certificate of Appointment openly in or near their workstation
allowing the public and co-workers to be aware of the appointment and its limitations.
WO AMENDMENT 6409.12-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/08/2014
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
6409.12_10
Page 9 of 12
FSH 6409.12 - LEASING OFFICERS’ HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 - REAL PROPERTY LEASING OFFICER WARRANT SYSTEM
13 - ADMINISTRATION OF A REAL PROPERTY LEASING WARRANT
13.1 - Reassignment of Duty Station
When an RPLO is reassigned or promoted to other real property leasing positions within the
Agency, the existing warrant will transfer with the RPLO at the current level.
13.2 - Termination/Revocation of Appointment
The Director of OPPM, or their designee, has the authority to terminate or revoke individual
delegated real property leasing authority if one or more of the following conditions, or a similar
condition(s) exist:
1. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations.
2. Violation of the code of conduct (consultation with Office of Ethics is required).
3. Failure to maintain training standards after appointment.
4. Failure to maintain a satisfactory performance rating.
5. Reassignment of the individual to a position not requiring a warrant.
6. Discontinuance of the organizational need for appointment.
7. Separation of the individual from the leasing group.
8. Any improper use determined by GSA/Forest Service of the lease delegation to cause
revocation of the delegation and possible denial of future requests.
To request a revocation or termination of an RPLO warrant, the Director of Acquisition
Management for that unit shall provide justification for the action to the Washington Office,
Director of Acquisition Management (AQM). Once reviewed, the Washington Office, Director
of AQM will forward to the Director of OPPM, or their designee, a recommendation to revoke or
terminate the RPLO warrant.
The Director of OPPM, or their designee, will give notice to the RPLO in writing when
terminating or revoking individual delegated real property leasing authority. This termination or
revocation notice will include a request for the RPLO to return their real property leasing warrant
to the USDA OPPM staff within 10 working days.
WO AMENDMENT 6409.12-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/08/2014
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
6409.12_10
Page 10 of 12
FSH 6409.12 - LEASING OFFICERS’ HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 - REAL PROPERTY LEASING OFFICER WARRANT SYSTEM
13.3 - Request an Increase in Warrant Threshold
The Asset Manager, Group Lead of Leasing and Property, or Supervisory Leasing Specialist is
responsible for determining when additional real property leasing authority is needed to
accommodate the unit’s leasing needs. This includes requesting an increase in the warrant
threshold of an active RPLO.
RPLOs who currently have a real property leasing warrant shall meet the education and training
course requirements outlined in section 11.2 to be nominated for an increase in threshold that
qualifies for the next warrant level (that is, Level II to Level III).
To request an increase in the warrant threshold for an RPLO, the Director of Acquisition
Management for that unit shall submit an updated and signed “Request for Appointment”
(see form FS-6400-35), “Qualifications Statement” (see form FS-6400-36), and Certification of
Leasing Experience via cover letter to the Washington Office, Director of AQM for review. If
approved, the Washington Office, Director of AQM will forward to the Director of OPPM, or
their designee, a recommendation to issue an increase in threshold to the recommended
candidate.
14 - MAINTENANCE OF A REAL PROPERTY LEASING WARRANT
All warranted RPLOs shall obtain at least 80 hours of continuing education or training related to
real property leasing every 2 years (regardless of job series) for the purpose of learning new
requirements, techniques, or procedures brought about by changes in law, regulations, policy, or
delegations of authority.
Acceptable training could include topics in real estate such as property management which is
offered by the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA); real estate appraisal from
the Appraisal Institute (AI); real estate investment courses from Certified Commercial
Investment Managers (CCIM); and formal training in CPAIS.
Training may include, but is not limited to participation in seminars, workshops, symposia, eLearning, formal classroom training, or other appropriate developmental activities. All training
must be documented in writing. See exhibit 01 for an explanation of how continuous learning
points (CLPs) are calculated.
The RPLO should contact the USDA OPPM staff if there is any uncertainty about the relevance
of a planned continuing education course prior to registration.
Training is due by the anniversary date of the issuance of the warrant (not by calendar year).
The RPLO is responsible for providing copies of course certificates or related training
documentation to the Asset Manager, Group Lead of Leasing and Property, or the Supervisory
Leasing Specialist and to the USDA OPPM staff upon completion of each course in order to
WO AMENDMENT 6409.12-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/08/2014
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
6409.12_10
Page 11 of 12
FSH 6409.12 - LEASING OFFICERS’ HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 - REAL PROPERTY LEASING OFFICER WARRANT SYSTEM
document the continuing education or training requirements that have been met. USDA OPPM
will notify the RPLO of the status of their warrant maintenance bi-annually, or upon request by
the RPLO.
When the RPLO meets the maintenance requirements, USDA OPPM will send a formal memo to
the RPLO, and the Asset Manager, Group Lead of Leasing and Property, or the Supervisory
Leasing Specialist, notifying the RPLO that their current warrant has been extended for 2 years.
The memo will be signed by the Director of OPPM, or their designee.
If the RPLO fails to meet the maintenance requirements by the 2-year anniversary date of their
warrant, USDA OPPM will send a formal memo to the RPLO, and the Asset Manager, Group
Lead of Leasing and Property, or the Supervisory Leasing Specialist, temporarily suspending
signatory authority of the RPLO (the RPLO may perform real property specialist duties, but may
not execute any real property lease or associated contracting documents). The memo will notify
the RPLO that they have 6 months to meet the maintenance requirements of their warrant, and if
the requirement is not met, their warrant will be revoked. The memo will be signed by the
Director of OPPM, or their designee.
WO AMENDMENT 6409.12-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/08/2014
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
6409.12_10
Page 12 of 12
FSH 6409.12 - LEASING OFFICERS’ HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 - REAL PROPERTY LEASING OFFICER WARRANT SYSTEM
14 - Exhibit 01
Continuous Learning Points are calculated as follows:
CREDITABLE ACTIVITIES
Academic Courses:
Quarter Hour
Semester Hour
CEU
Equivalency Exams
Training Courses/Modules:
Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI)
Courses/Modules
 Awareness Briefing/Training – no
testing/assessment associated
 Continuous Learning Module –
testing/assessment associated
Other Functional Training
Leadership or Other Training
Equivalency Exam
Professional Activities:
Professional Exam/License/Certificate
Teaching/Lecturing
Symposia/Conference Presentations
Workshop Participation
Symposia/Conference Attendance
Publications (such as writing of posted
issuances)
CLPs
10 per Quarter Hour
10 per Semester Hour
10 per CEU
Same points as awarded for the course
10 per CEU or:

.5 point per hour of instruction

1 point per hour of instruction
1 point per hour of instruction
1 point per hour of instruction
Same points as awarded for the course
10-30 points
2 points per hour, maximum of 20 points per
year
2 points per hour, maximum of 20 points per
year
1 point per hour; maximum of 8 points per day
and 20 points per year
.5 point per hour; maximum of 4 points per
day and 20 points per year
10-40 points