Your article said GSA pays $5.2 billion in annual rent to private-sector landlords. Fiscal year 2024 discretionary spending was $1.6 trillion. So we are discussing 0.33%.

Commercial leases are 5 or 10 years commonly. Many of the leases began before 2020 probably.

Owned real estate increases in value in high demand markets and is difficult to sell in low demand markets.

Completion of work can be and is tracked remotely.