Month: September 2022

Source: United States General Services Administration

September 7, 2022

Program advances key pillars of President’s Management Agenda; 2023 cohort applications open in October

WASHINGTON— In recent weeks, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) marked the first anniversary of the launch of the U.S. Digital Corps (USDC), a program that hires early-career technologists into federal service to create a more effective, equitable government.

Launched in August 2021 by GSA’s Technology Transformation Services with partners across the Biden-Harris Administration, including the White House Office of Management and Budget, and the Office of Science and Technology Policy, USDC has shown early success.

Over 1,000 candidates applied to join the first cohort, and 38 Fellows were selected in June 2022. This cohort is now working at a dozen agencies across government on high-impact projects in areas including health, immigration, cybersecurity, and equity.

“From the Administration for Children and Families to the Department of State, we’re already hearing about how our first group is asking good questions and bringing new approaches to the table,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “We look forward to getting applications for our second cohort this fall so we can bring on even more early-career technologists who want to help government deliver for the American people.”

As detailed in a recent Performance.gov blog post, USDC advances many goals outlined in the Biden-Harris President’s Management Agenda (PMA). These include commitments to investing in and diversifying the federal workforce, and improving the public’s customer experience with government.

“Within a year of its inaugural launch, the U.S. Digital Corps program has been an integral effort to recruit and retain the next generation of public servants,” said OPM Director Kiran Ahuja. “The program advances the President’s Management Agenda to create a more effective, equitable government and ensures our federal workforce is our government’s most valuable asset.”

In reviewing applications and selecting Fellows, GSA used the Subject Matter Expert Qualification Assessments (SME-QA) process to assess candidates, a new assessment method developed through a collaboration of the U.S. Digital Service (USDS), Office of Management and Budget, and the Office of Personnel Management. This marked a move from credentials-based to a more equitable and effective skills-based hiring approach.

“U.S. Digital Service was proud to partner with the U.S. Digital Corps in using SME-QA to identify and hire diverse and highly qualified talent for their cohort of 2022 Fellows,” said USDS Administrator Mina Hsiang. “Civic tech is a team sport. We’re glad to see the rise in early-career talent dedicated to serving the public.”

With one year of experience under its belt, USDC is gearing up to recruit and hire a second cohort of Fellows to start in summer 2023. Applications for the second cohort of U.S. Digital Corps Fellows will open in October 2022. More information is available at digitalcorps.gsa.gov.

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About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet and overseeing approximately $75 billion in annual contracts. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.

Source: United States General Services Administration

September 7, 2022

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced that it is hosting the first GSA Acquisition Policy Federal Advisory Committee (GAP FAC) public meeting on September 22, 2022. The GAP FAC will advise GSA on using acquisition tools and authorities to target high-priority challenges.

The Committee’s initial focus will be on driving regulatory, policy, and process changes to embed climate and sustainability considerations in federal acquisition. This includes recommending steps GSA can take to support its workforce and industry partners in ensuring climate and sustainability issues are fully considered in the acquisition process.

“As the federal government’s central buyer, it’s GSA’s job to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars and at the same time to use our buying power to help fuel American innovation and lighten the environmental footprint of what we buy,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan, who will address the public meeting. “Launching this Committee is another example of the actions the Biden-Harris Administration is taking to tackle climate change, create good jobs and ensure a cleaner, healthier future for coming generations.”

Earlier this year, GSA announced its intent to launch the Committee and received over 100 nominations in response. GSA’s Office of Government-wide Policy has vetted the candidates and built a diverse Committee whose members include representatives from industry, including small businesses; federal, state, and local governments; industry associations; and academia.

“We are thrilled with the response we got to our call for nominations to join this advisory committee that we are standing up,” said GSA’s Office of Government-wide Policy Associate Administrator Krystal J. Brumfield, who also serves as the agency’s chief acquisition officer. “We are grateful that these highly experienced and knowledgeable experts have agreed to volunteer their time and talents to help us. I look forward to their recommendations for acquisition policy that advance GSA’s mission as America’s buyer, an acquisition workforce that is ready for the future, and a domestic supplier base incentivized to supply innovative offerings to the federal government.”

The GAP FAC will operate in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Consistent with FACA and its requirements, each meeting of the GAP FAC will be open to the public unless otherwise notified, in accordance with the Government in the Sunshine Act, and those meetings will be fully accessible to individuals with disabilities.

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About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet and overseeing approximately $75 billion in annual contracts. GSA’s mission is to deliver value and savings in real estate, acquisition, technology, and other mission-support services across government, in support of the Biden-Harris Administration’s priorities. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.

About FACA: The Federal Advisory Committee Act was enacted in 1972 to ensure that advice by the various advisory committees formed over the years is objective and accessible to the public. Federal advisory committees are guided by these statutes and regulations.

Source: United States General Services Administration

September 7, 2022

BOSTON – The National Endowment for the Arts is hosting an informational webinar about the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Art in Architecture program and upcoming opportunities on Tuesday, September 13, at 1 p.m. ET.

The Art in Architecture Program oversees the commissioning of artworks for GSA-controlled federal buildings nationwide. These artworks enhance the civic meaning of federal architecture and showcase the vibrancy of American visual arts. GSA and NEA are collaborating to increase awareness for this program and promote relevant opportunities to artists that reflect the diverse communities of the nation.

Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, public art opportunities will be available associated with ten major border station projects currently underway in the New England Region. These opportunities include five in Maine and five in Vermont.

In Maine, the Land Port of Entry (LPOE) projects are:

• Coburn Gore
• Calais-Ferry Point
• Fort Fairfield
• Limestone
• Houlton

In Vermont, the LPOE projects are:

• Alburg Springs
• Beebe Plain
• Highgate Springs
• Norton
• Richford Route 139

“These Land Ports of Entry are intrinsic to the fabric of life and community along the New England border with Canada,” said Region 1 Public Buildings Service Commissioner and Acting Regional Administrator Glenn C. Rotondo. “The Art in Architecture program allows these ports to serve as welcoming gateways to our country.”

As part of the webinar, attendees will learn:

• The history and goals of the GSA Art in Architecture program.
• How you can be considered for upcoming project opportunities
• How to join the National Artist Registry
• What to expect if you are selected

GSA’s Art in Architecture Program was created in 1972 and has commissioned more than 500 artworks by American artists, pieces that are permanently installed in federal buildings throughout the United States.

For more information about GSA’s Art in Architecture program, please visit: https://www.gsa.gov/real-estate/design-and-construction/art-in-architecturefine-arts/art-in-architecture-program

Webinar Details:

When: Sept. 13: New York and New England (12 projects)

Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET

Closed captioning will be available. Should you need other reasonable accommodations, please send a request to events@arts.gov

To register in advance for this webinar, visit:

Webinar Registration – Zoom (zoomgov.com)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

About GSA:
GSA provides centralized procurement for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet and overseeing approximately $75 billion in annual contracts. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services across government, in support of the Biden-Harris administration’s priorities. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.

About the National Endowment for the Arts:
Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal agency that is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts. By advancing equitable opportunities for arts participation and practice, the NEA fosters and sustains an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States. To learn more, visit arts.gov or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Source: United States General Services Administration

September 2, 2022

WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced a final rule amending the Federal Management Regulation to enable access to GSA-controlled facilities by union organizers to educate employees of private sector government contractors working in these facilities about the benefits of organizing, collective bargaining, and union membership. This rule is the latest in the Biden-Harris Administration’s steadfast commitment to organized labor and workers’ rights, and furthers the goals of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the Federal workplace.

This change follows a recommendation made by the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment established in Executive Order 14025. The rule clarifies that labor organizations representing or seeking to represent contractors working in GSA-controlled facilities are not covered or restricted by the general prohibition on soliciting, posting, and distributing materials in or on that property.

“As we head into Labor Day Weekend, the Biden-Harris Administration is renewing its commitment to worker organizing and empowerment, because it’s critical to building an economy that works for everybody,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “Today’s rule removes barriers to worker organizing and collective bargaining for federal contractors, allowing union membership to become more accessible.”

The rule goes into effect immediately with a 60-day public comment period. Comments will inform future rulemaking and task force projects.

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About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing approximately $75 billion in annual contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.

Source: United States General Services Administration

September 1, 2022

NEA to Host September Webinars for Artists to Learn More About Upcoming Public Art Commissions

Washington, DC—The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) are collaborating to increase awareness of GSA’s Art in Architecture program and to promote federal art commission opportunities for artists that reflect the diversity of communities across the nation. Both agencies share a commitment to advancing equitable opportunities for artists, resulting in federal art commissions that are accessible to the public.

“The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to serve as a national resource that helps to bolster opportunities for artists in this country,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “The Art in Architecture program is a powerful and prestigious way to showcase the breadth of our nation’s creativity and talent in federal buildings throughout the country. I encourage artists to learn more about the program and consider joining the National Artist Registry.”

“We’re excited to partner with the National Endowment for the Arts to bring our Art in Architecture commission opportunities to a broader audience of American artists,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “The pieces in our collection inspire both our employees and the taxpayers who visit our federal facilities, and it’s important we ensure they reflect the diversity of America’s vibrant arts communities. We want to make this program as easy and accessible as possible for artists to join.”

The Art in Architecture program oversees the commissioning of artworks for GSA-controlled federal buildings nationwide. In fall of 2022, the program is launching 26 federal percent-for-art commissions in 11 states along the northern and southern borders, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This September, the NEA will host four webinars about these opportunities, each focusing on a different region where there will be new commissions:

These webinars will provide more insight into the history and goals of the Art in Architecture program and what artists selected for commissions should expect, as well as the process for joining the National Artist Registry, which allows artists to be considered for upcoming projects.

“As we prepare to celebrate the 50-year history of GSA’s Art in Architecture program, we embrace our new collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts and their relationships with arts organizations and artist communities,” said GSA Public Buildings Service Commissioner Nina Albert. “The webinars NEA is hosting next month about the 26 land ports of entry commissions in 11 states are the first step we’re taking together under our collaboration to reach artists who may never have heard about the program or thought projects like these were within reach.”

The Art in Architecture artworks enhance the civic meaning of federal architecture and showcase the vibrancy of American visual arts. GSA reserves one-half of one percent of the estimated construction cost of each new federal building or modernization for an Art in Architecture commission—a contractual agreement with an artist to create a site-specific, permanently installed artwork as part of the building project. Artist candidates for Art in Architecture commissions are most often identified from the National Artist Registry, which is a database of artists who have previously submitted digital images of their past portfolio work.

This fall, GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan and NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson will participate in a video discussion about the 50-year history of the Art in Architecture program and the significant role of public art in our country. Follow the NEA and GSA on social media for more information.

About the National Endowment for the Arts

Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal agency that is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts. By advancing equitable opportunities for arts participation and practice, the NEA fosters and sustains an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States. To learn more, visit arts.gov or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

About the U.S. General Services Administration

GSA provides centralized procurement for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet and overseeing approximately $75 billion in annual contracts. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services across government, in support of the Biden-Harris administration’s priorities. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.

GSA’s Art in Architecture Program was created in 1972 and has commissioned more than 500 artworks by American artists, pieces that are permanently installed in federal buildings throughout the United States.