The DGS Deep Dive: 7 Critical Ways The Commonwealth Of Virginia Department Of General Services Is Shaping The State In 2024-2025
The Commonwealth of Virginia Department of General Services (DGS) is the essential, yet often unseen, operational backbone of the state government. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the agency is undergoing significant transformations, driven by new legislative mandates and ambitious capital projects. Its core mission remains to streamline operations, making it easier for state agencies to focus on their primary goals and for Virginians to conduct business with the Commonwealth. This in-depth analysis focuses on the seven most critical initiatives and divisions currently defining the future of Virginia's infrastructure, procurement, and regulatory landscape.
Operating out of Richmond, Virginia, DGS provides a broad spectrum of support services that manage nearly $1 billion in fleet and facility assets, impacting everything from state contracts to the very buildings state employees work in. [cite: 9, 10 (from step 1)] The following sections detail the key areas where DGS is making the most substantial and current impact.
DGS Leadership and Core Operational Divisions
The strategic direction of the Department of General Services is set by its leadership, which has been focused on implementing Governor Glenn Youngkin's administration goals, including regulatory streamlining and efficiency. The DGS operates through several major divisions, each with a distinct and vital role in the Commonwealth’s operations.
Current Leadership Profile: Director Banci Tewolde
- Role: Director of the Virginia Department of General Services.
- Appointment: Appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin.
- Focus: Her leadership centers on enhancing operational efficiency, ensuring compliance with new procurement laws, and overseeing major capital projects designed to modernize the state's physical and digital infrastructure.
The Four Pillars of DGS: Key Divisions
DGS's vast responsibilities are organized into four primary divisions, which serve as the foundational entities for its topical authority:
- 1. Division of Purchases and Supply (DPS): This is the central procurement entity for the Commonwealth. DPS manages statewide procurement services, establishes policies, and operates the electronic procurement system, eVA (Virginia's Market Place). [cite: 4, 5 (from step 2), 11 (from step 2)]
- 2. Division of Real Estate Services (DRES): DRES is responsible for managing the Commonwealth’s extensive real estate portfolio. This includes the management, maintenance, and operation of state facilities, ensuring agencies have the best real estate solutions based on cost and need. [cite: 4, 5 (from step 2), 13 (from step 2)]
- 3. Division of Engineering & Buildings (DEB): DEB is the regulatory and construction arm, overseeing the design and construction of state buildings and crucially managing the implementation of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). [cite: 4 (from step 2)]
- 4. Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS): DCLS provides comprehensive laboratory testing and analytical services to support public health, environmental quality, and forensic science across the state. [cite: 4 (from step 2), 13 (from step 1)]
7 Critical Initiatives and Policy Shifts Defining DGS in 2024-2025
DGS is currently the nexus for several high-impact, fresh initiatives that are directly changing how the Commonwealth spends money, manages property, and regulates construction.
1. Implementing the "Made in Virginia" Procurement Preference Law
One of the most significant legislative changes DGS is managing is the new "Made in Virginia" Procurement Preference Law, which took effect on July 1, 2024. This law amends the Virginia Public Procurement Act (VPPA) to clarify and strengthen the preference given to goods and products manufactured in Virginia, and then to those produced in the United States. DGS is tasked with studying the law's full impact and is required to report its findings by January 8, 2025, which may lead to further legislative amendments. [cite: 8 (from step 1)] This effort signals a major shift toward supporting local and domestic manufacturing through state contracts.
2. The $400 Million Richmond Office Building Capital Project
The DGS is spearheading a major overhaul of the state’s downtown Richmond real estate footprint. Following a study, designs were unveiled for a new $400 million state government office building. [cite: 20 (from step 1)] This move is a reversal from an earlier proposal to move many state offices out of downtown and into suburban private spaces. Instead, DGS is moving forward with a plan to consolidate agencies into a modern, new state office building, with a specific study directed for a potential development at 7th & [cite: 5 (from step 1)]. This Capital Outlay Project is one of the largest infrastructure investments currently under DGS oversight, aiming to modernize state facilities and improve operational logistics.
3. The 2024 Adoption of the New Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC)
The Division of Engineering & Buildings (DEB) is currently enforcing the 2021 edition of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), which officially went into effect on January 18, 2024. This update is part of Virginia's standard three-year code development cycle and incorporates changes from the 2021 International Code Council's model I-Codes. This regulatory change impacts all new construction and major renovations across the Commonwealth, ensuring Virginia remains a leader in modern building and fire regulations. [cite: 3 (from step 3)]
Modernizing State Services: Procurement, Surplus, and Training
4. The eVA Portal: The Digital Marketplace of Virginia
The electronic procurement system, known as eVA, is the digital backbone of the state's purchasing process, managed directly by the Division of Purchases and Supply. [cite: 5 (from step 2)] DGS continues to invest in the eVA portal, providing ongoing training resources for both state buyers and vendors. The agency also manages updates to vendor reports, such as the replacement of the 1250 W9 Vendor Form and 1251 eVA Vendor Tax Profile Report, to ensure compliance and efficiency in state contracting.
5. The Virginia Institute of Procurement (VIP)
To support the complex procurement landscape, DGS operates the Virginia Institute of Procurement (VIP). This entity is crucial for maintaining professional standards and compliance across all state agencies. VIP hosts the learning management system that provides 24/7 training on the eVA system and the Virginia Public Procurement Act, ensuring all personnel are up-to-date on the latest policies, including the new "Made in Virginia" preferences.
6. Surplus Property and Asset Management
A key function of the DPS is the Office of Surplus Property Management. This office handles the collection, inspection, and redistribution of state and federal surplus items, ranging from office furniture and classroom equipment to heavy machinery. [cite: 7 (from step 2)] This service allows for the reuse of valuable assets, saving taxpayer money and supporting local governments and non-profits. The policies governing this process are detailed in the Agency Procurement and Surplus Property Manual (APSPM). [cite: 6 (from step 2), 10 (from step 2)]
7. Streamlining Regulatory Oversight
In line with the Governor's regulatory reform goals, DGS is actively involved in efforts to streamline state government processes. This includes the implementation of regulatory changes approved by the Governor's Office that collectively work to reduce the regulatory burden on businesses and citizens. [cite: 18 (from step 1)] By focusing on efficiency in its core functions—from Facilities Management and State Mail Services to real estate acquisition—DGS continues to make it easier for the government to operate and for Virginians to interact with their state agencies. [cite: 15 (from step 2)]
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