Temporary Northbound Vehicle Lane Closures at the Calexico West Port of Entry

Source: United States General Services Administration

January 27, 2023

The work is part of GSA’s pre-primary canopy project

CALEXICO, Calif. — The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) will conduct a series of temporary vehicle lane closures at the Calexico West Land Port of Entry (LPOE) from Monday, January 30, 2023, to Thursday, February 2, 2023. During this period, three to four northbound privately owned vehicle (POV) inspection lanes will be closed at a time between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily.

  • Monday, January 30 – Northbound vehicle lanes 8 through 10 will be closed from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, January 31 – Northbound vehicle lanes 5 through 7 will be closed from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, February 1 and Thursday, February 2 – Northbound vehicle lanes 1 through 4 will be closed from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

These temporary lane closures are required to paint elements of the pre-primary canopy structure. Drivers should anticipate moderate delays, monitor traffic signs, and reduce speeds near and around the construction work area.

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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.

GSA’s Workplace Innovation Lab opens to federal agencies

Source: United States General Services Administration

January 25, 2023

Federal agencies invited to test out new furniture and technology solutions

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the official opening of its Workplace Innovation Lab. Located at GSA’s Headquarters, the lab functions as a proving ground where federal agencies can test out recent innovations in workplace furnishings and technology. This effort aligns with the President’s Management Agenda workforce priority, which includes reimagining and building a roadmap to the future of federal work.

”The future of the office workplace is now. We’re imagining it and building it right here in partnership with both industry innovators and our federal customers,” stated GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “This is a space where agency decision makers and their teams can experience the latest technologies, equipment, and furniture that’s designed to empower federal employees to deliver even more effectively.”

Public Buildings Service Commissioner Nina Albert and GSA Chief Architect Chuck Hardy also spoke at the event, as did Lisle Hannah, Director of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Facilities and Environmental Quality.

The lab features new types of layouts and furniture solutions that support both individuals and teams, as well as technology that enhances connectivity and effectiveness. The lab also features sustainable technology solutions ranging from power-over-ethernet cabling (which eliminates the need for expensive steel cabling) to solar powered light fixtures that support GSA’s drive toward net zero carbon facilities.

GSA is operating the lab as a pilot Federal Coworking Space. Federal employees are able to work in the 25,000-square-foot space and can use the lab for periods ranging from a single hour to weeks. Visitors from federal agencies can request tours and make reservations on a new platform to use the space. GSA will gather anonymous user feedback and data from the lab to improve its offerings and solutions.

For the first iteration of the lab, GSA has partnered with the following six vendors:

  • Allsteel
  • Cisco
  • Haworth / Price Modern
  • Miller-Knoll
  • Kimball International
  • Swiftspace / VOE

As part of the Workplace 2030 initiative, the Workplace Innovation Lab is one piece of GSA’s nationwide efforts to provide solutions for the future of work. For more information, please visit workplace.gsa.gov/offerings/innovation-lab/.

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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 on social media.

GSA Announces $3.2 Million from Inflation Reduction Act for Courthouse Renovation Using Low-Embodied Carbon Materials and Emerging Technologies in Portland, Maine

Source: United States General Services Administration

January 11, 2023

BOSTON – The U.S. General Services Administration announced $3.2 million from the Inflation Reduction Act will be allocated for work at the Edward T. Gignoux U.S. Courthouse in Portland, Maine.

This project is part of the first set of Inflation Reduction Act projects – totaling more than $300 million – announced by GSA that aim to catalyze clean energy innovation and spur domestic clean manufacturing by incorporating low-embodied carbon materials in GSA construction projects and by converting federal facilities into high-performance green buildings.

These projects, the first of $3.4 billion in GSA investments under the new law, will accelerate efforts to achieve the President’s goal of a net-zero emissions federal building real estate portfolio by 2045.

The project at the Gignoux U.S. Courthouse will repair and replace the building’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system with a new system that reduces fossil fuel consumption and saves energy. A new fresh air duct chase, located in the courtyard area will use low embodied carbon materials in its construction. GSA plans to install air-to-water heat pumps which will help convert the building’s HVAC system to all-electric power.

“The Inflation Reduction Act gives us a historic opportunity to supercharge GSA’s efforts to spur clean energy innovation and boost demand for cleaner, more sustainable construction materials manufactured right here in the United States,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “These projects will create good jobs in communities and put us another step closer to turning federal facilities across the country into high-tech, high-efficiency models of clean energy innovation.”

“Thanks to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, we’re moving forward on the clean, electrified federal buildings of tomorrow,” said White House Federal Chief Sustainability Officer Andrew Mayock. “As our country’s largest energy consumer, taking bold action to modernize the way we build, buy and manage federal operations creates good paying jobs in places that need them and helps us reach our nation’s climate goals.”

These first Inflation Reduction Act projects were selected based on their potential to maximize the use of low-embodied carbon asphalt, concrete, glass and steel — as well as funds to convert the Courthouse to a high-performing green building — in previously approved construction projects. GSA estimates that this first round of projects will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 120,000 metric tons while reducing energy costs by $35 million over the next 20 years.

Overall, the Inflation Reduction Act provides GSA with $2.15 billion for low-embodied carbon materials for construction projects; $975 million to support emerging and sustainable technologies; and $250 million for measures to convert federal facilities into high-performance green buildings.

GSA estimates that the $3.4 billion it will invest will create over 9,500 average annual economy-wide jobs across the length of the projects, support $2.8 billion in labor income, and generate nearly $1 billion in tax revenue for federal, state and local governments. In total, Inflation Reduction Act investments from GSA are expected to help drive an estimated avoidance of more than 2.5 million metric tons of emissions and $720 million in cost avoidance over the next 20 years.

To read more about GSA and the Inflation Reduction Act visit: www.gsa.gov/InflationReductionAct

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.

GSA Issues RFI to Seek Input from Industry on Carbon Free Electricity Offerings

Source: United States General Services Administration

January 10, 2023

New Procurement Approach to Increase Access to CFE for Federal Buildings Nationwide

WASHINGTON — The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has issued a request for information (RFI) to help prepare for the purchase of carbon pollution-free electricity (CFE) in line with the requirements of Executive Order 14057. Responses to this RFI will inform GSA for upcoming solicitations across all U.S. retail choice electricity markets, starting with the region operated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

The RFI marks a key step in refining the Biden Administration’s approach to procuring electricity in retail choice markets, which represent nearly a quarter of all federal government operational needs and are crucial to meeting President Biden’s goal of the federal government achieving 100% CFE on a net annual basis by 2030.

As a primary agency that procures electricity for the federal government, GSA is working to identify energy procurement options and develop strategies for reaching 100% CFE. Through this RFI, GSA will gather information regarding the availability of CFE in the retail choice electricity market and ways for the federal government to incentivize additional production and delivery. GSA will use this information, including feedback on contract structures and technical requirements, to develop procurement strategies that may be implemented as soon as this year.

“GSA is one of the largest buyers of energy, and we’re a steady customer prepared to make long-term investments. We want to use the government’s buying power to spur demand for clean, carbon free electricity and related distribution methods,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “GSA looks forward to partnering with industry to support CFE – when and where our customers need it – to create good jobs, save taxpayer dollars, and ensure a healthier planet for the next generation.”

This effort complements both a recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Defense to solicit carbon pollution-free electricity in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas as well as GSA’s recent Memorandum of Understanding with Entergy Arkansas, LLC.

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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.

U.S. General Services Administration to Host Public Meeting for the New Land Port of Entry Facility at Highgate Springs, Vermont

Source: United States General Services Administration

January 10, 2023

BOSTON – In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) will host a public meeting in support of an Environmental Assessment for the proposed construction of a new replacement Land Port of Entry (LPOE) at Highgate Springs, Vermont.

The public is encouraged to attend and participate in the public meeting on:

WHEN*: Thursday, January 12, 2023, at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: St. Albans City Hall Auditorium, 100 North Main Street, St. Albans City, VT

*In the event of inclement weather, the alternate date will be Thursday, January 19, 2023

The meeting will be conducted in an open house format. GSA will present project information to the attendees. The public will have an opportunity to hear about the project and learn how they can provide input on the issues that are important to the community. This input is a valuable step in the process and will be used by GSA to determine the scope and content of the Environmental Assessment.

GSA is proposing to acquire additional land and to construct a larger facility that expands and modernizes this port. The new replacement facility will allow federal inspection agencies to operate efficiently and enable the port to handle the anticipated traffic increase at the border crossing, expediting crossing times for the traveling public and businesses that rely on binational commerce.

The Highgate Springs project will incorporate sustainability features that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate environmental impact, and simultaneously increase the mission readiness of the federal government by increasing resilience to climate change.

The new port will meet the U.S. Custom and Border Protection’s (CBP) mission requirements, while improving the safety of officers and the traveling public. It will provide for an efficient flow of people and commerce, accommodating the increased traffic volume, and the additional border security measures and technologies.

Written comments must be received by Thursday, February 9, 2023, using one of the following methods:

  • In-Person: Submit written comments at the public meeting via comment forms to be distributed at the meeting.
  • Email: Send an email to highgatesprings.lpoe@gsa.gov and reference “Highgate Springs LPOE EA” in the subject line.
  • Mail: Send written comments to the following address:
    • U.S General Services Administration
      Attention: John Maurer, Project Manager
      Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr., Federal Building
      10 Causeway Street, 11th Floor
      Boston, MA 02222-1077

Project information, including a video recording of this public meeting, will be available at: gsa.gov/highgatespringslpoe.

The Highgate Springs Land Port of Entry – one of the busiest land ports in New England – sits across the U.S.-Canada border from the Canadian port of entry at St. Armand, Quebec. The port is at the end of Interstate 89 (I-89) and Canada Route 133 which connects to Canada Autoroute-35 (A-35).

The new facility, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is critical due to the extension of Canada Autoroute A-35. This extension will connect to I-89 at Highgate Springs, and is expected to increase traffic through the port by approximately 30 percent.

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.