The Biden administration has extended an unprecedented offer of federal resources to both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris for presidential transition planning. This move comes amid concerns that both candidates are lagging behind in preparing for their potential administrations.

While transitions typically ramp up after Election Day, success largely depends on the groundwork laid during the pre-election period. This includes identifying agency review teams, initiating background checks for national security staff, and selecting and vetting around 4,000 federal political appointees.

Vice President Harris and former President Trump have begun the transition process this month, well behind previous administrations. Harris, who was elevated to the top of the Democratic ticket just five weeks ago, had to redirect President Biden's political operation before setting up her own transition team. On the other hand, it remains unclear why Trump, who secured the Republican nomination months ago, did not start the planning process sooner.

According to Max Stier, the president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, planning to assume office in the modern era usually begins in the late spring. He noted that while catching up is possible, both candidates have a significant amount of work to do before the transition process can be considered fully prepared.

The Congressionally mandated date for the General Services Administration (GSA) to make office space available for Trump and Harris is on Tuesday, three business days after the second nominating convention. The office space, located near the White House, will be followed by additional federal resources flowing to the winner after Election Day. Typically, nominees begin initial planning for their potential administrations even before receiving federal support.

If Harris were to win, she might choose to retain some political appointees from the Biden administration, potentially avoiding contentious confirmation battles if Republicans take control of the Senate. However, significant changes are expected as Harris will likely want to establish her own imprint on the government. Additionally, several long-serving Biden administration officials may seek other opportunities regardless of the election outcome.

In light of his previous transition challenges in 2016, Trump intends to avoid similar mistakes. During that transition, he abandoned months of planning led by former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, leaving his team unprepared for the post-election period. Stier highlighted that this low bar set by Trump's 2016 effort was followed by George H.W. Bush's 1988 transition, which experienced its own difficulties.

Trump has recently established his transition team, led by former Small Business Administrator Linda McMahon and billionaire Howard Lutnick. On the other hand, Harris has chosen Yohannes Abraham, the ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the executive director of the Biden-Harris 2020 transition, to oversee her planning for the White House. Covington & Burling, LLP, which assisted in vetting Harris' vice-presidential pick, will provide legal counsel to the transition organization.

Reports indicate that Harris' transition team will not make any personnel decisions or develop policies before the election, as those functions will remain with her campaign and official office. On the other hand, Trump's team has yet to confirm whether they will accept federal support, with concerns over potential leaks of classified information.

The General Services Administration (GSA) is required by law to make federal office space, IT support, and other resources available to transition teams starting Tuesday. However, this can only happen once the GSA has entered into memoranda of understanding with representatives for each nominee. The GSA spokesperson confirmed that the agency extended its offer to both Trump and Harris on Tuesday.

Valerie Smith Boyd, director of the Partnership for Public Service's Center for Presidential Transition, emphasized the importance for both teams to have infrastructure in place to facilitate meetings with federal agencies, manage a resume bank, and ensure an organized process for personnel and policy planning if they win the election.

While the Biden administration has long been making plans to support the transition process, in accordance with the Presidential Transition Act, federal agencies are now actively preparing detailed briefing memos on their activities to share with the eventual winner's team. Teams of federal agents and government workers are on standby to vet potential transition staff and administration appointees.

In order to gain access to current executive branch employees, facilities, and documents, the transition teams must abide by an ethics plan. Moreover, they must disclose donors and limit contributions to $5,000 in order to receive government funds.

As the election draws closer, the urgency for both Trump and Harris to accelerate their transition planning has heightened. The effectiveness of their preparations will play a crucial role in the smooth handover of power and the successful launch of their respective administrations.