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In 1970, the Department of General Services was created as a
result of reorganization of the executive branch (Chapter 97,
Acts of 1970). At that time, duties of the former Department of
Public Improvements and state purchasing functions from the
Department of Budget and Fiscal Planning were transferred to the
Department of General Services along with oversight of several
previously independent agencies. The War Commission, Washington
Cemetery Board of Trustees, Board of Architectural Review, Office
of the Superintendent of Annapolis Public Buildings and Grounds,
Office of the Superintendent of Baltimore Public Buildings and
Grounds, Hall of Records Commission, Commission on Artistic
Property, and the Purchasing Bureau constituted original
components of the department, although the Washington Cemetery
Board of Trustees, Hall of Records Commission, and the Commission
on Artistic Property have since been statutorily removed.
The oldest function now within the Department of General Services
is the care of buildings owned by the state. In 1888, the
legislature created the office of Superintendent of Public
Buildings and Grounds (Chapter 175, Acts of 1888). In 1920, the
Central Purchasing Bureau, another component of the modern
department, was formed (Chapter 184, Acts of 1920). Then, in
1947, the General Assembly established the Department of Public
Improvements to advise the Board of Public Works and other state
agencies on engineering questions and other matters pertaining to
construction, renovation, maintenance, and repair of buildings,
other structures, and public works (Chapter 171, Acts of 1947).
This department developed the state building code.
Today, the Department of General Services provides goods and
services to other state agencies through bulk purchasing and
warehousing, in lease negotiation, contracts, bidding, and real
estate transactions. It studies the need for state office space;
acquires that space through lease, purchase, or construction;
provides architectural and engineering design services; and is
responsible for maintenance and security on most state premises.
Under the direction of the secretary of general services,
department programs and services are supervised by four assistant
secretaries responsible for Finance and Administration,
Facilities Management, Services and Logistics, and
Telecommunications and Information Services.