Request for Information (RFI) For the Sale of the William O. Lipinski Federal Building
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The General Services Administration (GSA) is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to gather market research for the sale of the William O. Lipinski Federal Building at 844 N. Rush Street, Chicago, IL. This RFI aims to inform the development of a sale strategy that maximizes taxpayer return and facilitates the property's transition to the private sector. Responses are due February 25, 2026.
Purpose & Objective
GSA's Public Buildings Service, on behalf of the Office of Real Property Disposition, seeks information from interested entities to guide the development of an efficient and effective sale strategy for the Property. The objective is to achieve maximum return for the taxpayer through a competitive public offering and assist in the transition from Government to private sector use.
Property Description
The William O. Lipinski Federal Building is a 15-story office building with ground floor retail space, located in Chicago's Near North Side neighborhood. Built in 1923, the property comprises 372,508 gross square feet (352,229 rentable sf, 271,171 usable sf) and is considered a prime candidate for residential conversion.
Current Occupancy & Leases
The building has existing tenants:
- Federal Tenant (Railroad Retirement Board): Occupies 281,892 rentable square feet, with occupancy anticipated until June 2028. The new owner will be responsible for operations, maintenance, and capital improvements during this period.
- Commercial Tenants: A take-out restaurant and luxury car dealership lease 48,034 rentable square feet on the ground floor and mezzanine, with leases anticipated through October 2027. Their lease terms will require conversion to a private sector instrument if the Federal Tenant remains in a leaseback arrangement.
Information Sought
GSA requests White Paper responses to five specific questions to inform its sale strategy:
- Assessment of how current Federal and Commercial Tenant leases impact the Property’s value and marketability.
- Suggestions for resolving potential impediments from the existing Federal Tenant’s occupancy.
- Evaluation of various sale strategies, including a 2026 sale with a leaseback, a 2026 sale with delayed closing, or a 2028 sale as vacant, and recommendations for other transactional scenarios.
- Impact of the lack of a City of Chicago Certificate of Occupancy for a new owner in a short-term sale-leaseback scenario.
- Recommendations for alternative transactional structures based on property details, scenarios, and Chicago real estate market knowledge.
Submission Requirements & Disclaimer
Respondents must submit White Paper responses, limited to 20 pages, highlighting attributes and examples. A cover page with company name, address, point of contact, and business status is required. This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal or a commitment to contract. The Government will not reimburse respondents for costs.
Key Dates & Contacts
- Responses Due: Wednesday, February 25, 2026, by 3:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST).
- Submission Email: huy.le@gsa.gov and rhiannon.martin@gsa.gov.