"We do need a reasonably sized piece of land," said Astrue, which would ideally be close to the current headquarters. But if the government conducts too narrow a site search, he said, it could "end up overpaying."
Locating a building site will primarily be the responsibility of the federal government's real estate arm, the General Services Administration. A GSA spokeswoman declined to comment because, she said, the project is still in a preliminary phase.
Astrue said the 40-mile radius for locating the new computer center is a function of problems with electrical power and data linkages that would arise if the distance from headquarters were greater.
About 1,000 people work at the computer center, but Astrue said a much smaller number would be needed at the new facility. He declined to give a figure, but an official estimated the number at between 60 and 80 employees.
Astrue said he had not heard an internal rumor that the Frederick area is the likely location and said there was "really no basis" for that conclusion.
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
* Employs about 11,000 people in Baltimore and a total of 12,000 statewide. Most work at buildings in and around Woodlawn and at Metro West.
* Moved to Woodlawn in 1960; central offices of predecessor, Bureau of Old Age and Survivors' Insurance, moved to Baltimore in 1942 because of war.
* Annual administrative budget is $10.5 billion. The money that passes through the agency in the form of benefits each year is $696 billion.
Highlights of new plan
* $500 million for first stage of $750 million project to construct a new National Computer Center. Will likely require moving existing data center no more than 40 miles from Woodlawn headquarters.
* $500 million to reduce processing backlog for disability applications. Will likely lead to hiring 5,000 to 6,000 new employees nationwide.
Source: Social Security Administration
