Month: April 2023

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GSA announces the 2022 design award winners

Source: United States General Services Administration

March 15, 2023

19 federal building projects nationwide recognized for biennial honor

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and its Administrator Robin Carnahan presented the agency’s top awards in design for 19 federal projects that represent the best contributions in architecture and arts at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC.

The GSA Design Awards has taken place biennially since 1990 but had not been held since 2016. This year’s ceremony honored projects that were completed between 2016 and 2022. The Honor Awards and Citations recognize federal employees and the project architects, engineers, landscape architects, urban designers, interior designers, artists, conservationists, and preservationists whose exemplary work benefits the people who work in and visit federal buildings in communities nationwide.

“I’m thrilled to honor the professionals who have contributed their time and talents to ensure that federal buildings nationwide are vibrant, contributing parts of their communities,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “Through these awards, we are reaffirming our belief that excellence in design means creating spaces in which the federal government can deliver government effectively while also providing great overall experiences for the people who work in and visit federal facilities.”

“GSA’s Design Awards are evaluated by a panel of jurists who are private-sector leaders in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, sustainable design, and construction. To be recognized by a jury of peers is a great distinction for the project teams and celebrates the power of public buildings,” said Public Buildings Service Commissioner Nina Albert. The awards were presented by Carnahan, Albert and GSA Chief Architect, Charles Hardy.

The 2022 GSA Design Awards winners are as follows: (Note: “on the boards” means during the eligibility period, the project was not yet substantially complete.)

Honor Awards

  • Columbus Land Port of Entry, Columbus, New Mexico (Honor Awards – Architecture and Landscape Architecture)
  • Department of State Workspace Prototypes, Washington, DC (Honor Award – On the Boards)
  • FBI Central Records Complex, Winchester, Virginia (Honor Award – Construction)
  • The Fruit of the Spirit, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Honor Award – Art)
  • Hedge Wedge, San Diego, California (Honor Award – Art)
  • The Robes of Justitia, Nashville, Tennessee (Honor Award – Art)
  • United States Courthouse, Los Angeles, California (Honor Award – Architecture)
  • Yosemite Falls, Los Angeles, California (Honor Award – Art)

Citations

  • Arthur J. Altmeyer Federal Building, Woodlawn, Maryland (Citation – Architecture)
  • Captain John Foster Williams U.S. Coast Guard Building and Seawall, Boston, Massachusetts (Citations – Construction and Engineering)
  • Convent Avenue and Juarez-Lincoln Land Ports of Entry, Laredo, Texas (Citation – Construction)
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower National Memorial, Washington, DC (Citation – Landscape Architecture)
  • John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts (Citation – On the Boards)
  • John F. Kennedy Federal Building, Boston, Massachusetts (Citation – Preservation)
  • Red Neon Circle Fragments on a Blue Wall, Dayton, Ohio (Citation – Conservation)
  • Robert C. Weaver Federal Building, Washington, DC (Citation – Workplace)
  • Tomochichi Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse Annex, Savannah, Georgia (Citation – Urban Design and Planning)
  • United States Custom House, San Ysidro, California (Citation – Preservation)
  • USC Consolidation- Conrad B. Duberstein U.S. Post Office and Courthouse, Brooklyn, New York (Citation – Workplace)

Along with the presentation of awards, the ceremony also included a visual retrospective to mark the 50th anniversary of the agency’s Art in Architecture (AiA) program. “This year as GSA’s Art in Architecture program marks its 50th anniversary, we have the opportunity to marvel at the incredible collection of artworks commissioned for federal buildings over the past five decades,” said GSA Fine Arts Director Jennifer Gibson, who keynoted the event. “These artworks, which become part of the fabric of a community, are the result of an individual artist’s creative talent and vision. They are also evidence that artistic expression in our democratic society is something to cherish and celebrate. It will be fascinating to see what the next 50 years bring and how artists continue to contribute to this federal art legacy.”

For more information please visit the GSA Design Awards webpage.

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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.

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President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget proposes investments in Great Lakes building projects

Source: United States General Services Administration

March 14, 2023

Contact: tanya.schusler@gsa.gov

CHICAGO – The Biden-Harris Administration announced today that the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2024 includes funding for improvements to the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago, the Major General Emmett J. Bean Federal Center in Indianapolis, and the Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building in Detroit. The Budget details a blueprint to grow the economy from the bottom up and middle out, lower costs for families, and more.

The Budget proposes investments in the American people that will help lay a stronger foundation for shared growth and prosperity for generations to come.

“The President’s Budget reflects smart investments that will help GSA make cost-saving upgrades to federal buildings, bolster the nation’s cybersecurity, and improve how the government delivers digital services to millions of Americans,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “In addition, for the first time ever, the President’s Budget includes a provision that will guarantee full access to the Federal Buildings Fund while preserving Congress’s discretion to decide on and authorize investments – this is a game-changing provision that will enable GSA to modernize and consolidate the federal footprint, saving taxpayers millions and creating good-paying jobs in local communities.”

In the Great Lakes region, the President’s FY 2024 budget request for GSA includes:

  • Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse | Chicago | $24.49 million – This repair and alteration project corrects fire and life safety deficiencies and upgrades the lighting systems in courtrooms and ground floor elevator lobbies.
  • Major General Emmett J. Bean Federal Center | Indianapolis | $50.4 million – This repair and alteration project completes critical repairs and upgrades to the building’s exterior, including window systems, and replacement of the building’s cooling tower.
  • Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building | Detroit | $46.9 million – This repairs and alterations project completes upgrades to critical building systems by modernizing the passenger and freight elevators and replacing the electrical infrastructure and perimeter security bollards.

“We’re looking forward to the opportunity to make an impact on our communities in Chicago, Indianapolis, and Detroit,” said Region 5 Public Buildings Service Commissioner Angel Dizon. “In serving our federal customers in these buildings, we’re also excited to provide them with much-needed sustainability, infrastructure, and security improvements, which will better enable them to carry out their missions.”

For more information on the President’s FY 2024 Budget, please visit https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/. The GSA Budget request will be posted at https://www.gsa.gov/cj.

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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.

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President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget proposes investments in Mid-Atlantic buildings

Source: United States General Services Administration

March 13, 2023

Contact: press@gsa.gov

PHILADELPHIA – The Biden-Harris Administration announced today that the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2024 includes funding for investments in federal buildings in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Martinsburg, West Virginia. The budget details a blueprint to grow the economy from the bottom up and middle out, lower costs for families, and more.

The budget proposes investments in the American people that will help lay a stronger foundation for shared growth and prosperity for generations to come.

“The President’s Budget reflects smart investments that will help GSA make cost-saving upgrades to federal buildings, bolster the nation’s cybersecurity, and improve how the government delivers digital services to millions of Americans,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “In addition, for the first time ever, the President’s Budget includes a provision that will guarantee full access to the Federal Buildings Fund while preserving Congress’s discretion to decide on and authorize investments – this is a game-changing provision that will enable GSA to modernize and consolidate the federal footprint, saving taxpayers millions and creating good-paying jobs in local communities.”

In Pennsylvania, the President’s FY 2024 budget request for GSA includes funding for:

  • James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse | Philadelphia | $83,799,000 – This project will upgrade the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, which includes replacing obsolete air handling units. The upgrades will enhance control, optimize efficiency and improve tenant comfort.
  • Joseph F. Weis Jr. Courthouse | Pittsburgh | $40,699,000 – The project will replace the HVAC system, associated electrical systems, and a section of the roof, as well as provide lightning protection.

In West Virginia, the request includes funding for:

  • IRS Annex and Enterprise Computing Center | Martinsburg | $23,098,000 – The project will replace the 200,000-square-foot roof with cooler, more energy-efficient materials and improve accessibility, lightning protection and drainage throughout the roof.

“These projects will provide much needed updates to these important facilities,” said acting Regional Administrator Tom Lyman. “The projects will support our customers, modernize infrastructure, provide more sustainable systems, and create the potential for jobs in Martinsburg, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.”

Please visit https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/ for more information. For the GSA budget request, please visit https://www.gsa.gov/cj.

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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 @US_GSAR3.

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City Of Chicago Held in Violation of Americans with Disabilities Act

Source: United States Department of Justice

A federal judge in Chicago held the City of Chicago liable for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act by failing to provide accessible pedestrian signals at signalized intersections throughout the city to those who are blind or have low vision.

In April of 2021, the Justice Department moved to intervene in a disability discrimination lawsuit that people with visual disabilities brought against the City under the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act. The United States’ complaint in intervention alleged that the city fails to provide people who are blind, have low vision or are deaf-blind with equal access to pedestrian signal information at intersections. Pedestrian signal information, such as a flashing “Walk/Don’t Walk” signal, indicates when it is safe to cross the street for sighted pedestrians.

Accessible pedestrian signals (APSs) are devices that provide pedestrians with safe-crossing information in a non-visual format, such as through audible tones, speech messages and vibrotactile surfaces. Since at least 2006, Chicago has recognized the need to install APSs for pedestrians with visual disabilities, specifically identifying the need for such installation in multiple city documents. Yet, while Chicago currently provides sighted pedestrians visual crossing signals at nearly 2,800 intersections, the United States’ suit alleged that — at the time it intervened — fewer than one percent of those were equipped with APSs for people who are blind or have low vision.

On March 31, U.S. District Judge Elaine E. Bucklo sided with the United States and the private plaintiffs in a decision on both sides’ motions for summary judgment, holding the city in violation of the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The court found that the city had provided APS at only a “miniscule portion of the whole,” and thus had failed “to provide ‘meaningful access’ to its network of existing facilities and to ensure that newly constructed signals are designed and constructed in such a manner as to be ‘readily accessible’ by blind individuals.”

“Federal law offers people with visual disabilities the promise of full participation in community life, and safely navigating city streets is a critical part of that,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We will continue pushing for a remedy that fully addresses the discrimination faced by blind people in Chicago.”

“As previously stated, the U.S. Attorney’s Office took action in this case in order to ensure that Chicagoans with disabilities are provided equal access to city services, particularly services where the primary focus is on public safety,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois. “Our office remains committed to standing up for the rights of all those who reside in and visit the City of Chicago and all other communities across the Northern District of Illinois. We look forward to working with the City of Chicago to identify an appropriate remedy for the future.”

For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report.

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Mississippi Landman Pleads Guilty to Submitting False Corporate Tax Return

Source: United States Department of Justice News

A Jackson, Mississippi, landman pleaded guilty today to submitting a false tax return on behalf of his business, Gulf States Royalty, Ltd.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Jeffrey Randall owned and operated an oil and gas lease company, Gulf States Royalty, Ltd. After informing his return preparer that he was unwilling to pay the tax he owed on the $3 million dollars earned by Gulf States in 2008, Randall and his preparer reported more than $2 million dollars in false business expenses on Gulf States’s 2008 corporate income tax return (Form 1120). Randall then signed the false return and directed his tax return preparer to submit it to the IRS. In total, Randall caused a tax loss to the IRS of $824,036.72.

Randall is scheduled to be sentenced on July 26 and faces a statutory maximum of three years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Richard (R.J.) Hagerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles W. Kirkham for the Southern District of Mississippi are prosecuting the case.