Category: US GSA

Source: United States General Services Administration

November 21, 2022

Joseph, Ore. – Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is entering into a 20-year lease agreement with Probert Family Ranches, LLC for a new U.S. Forest Service Ranger District Office for the Wallowa Valley and Eagle Cap Ranger Districts and the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. The lease award was based on a competitive procurement process.

“GSA is proud to assist the Forest Service in securing a new, long-term home in Northeastern Oregon,” said Lisa Pearson, Acting Regional Commissioner of GSA’s Public Buildings Service. “The new facility will provide the Forest Service with a space specifically-designed to support their mission.”

The new office will be located at 84083 Alpine Lane in Joseph. The approximately 10,000-square-foot facility will feature a modern, secure reception area; a meeting area for the public to interact with Forest Service employees; and accessible parking for vehicles of all sizes.

“A functional and modern place to conduct business is critical to providing the best possible service to the communities and visitors we serve,” said Brian Anderson, Wallowa Mountains District Ranger. “It has been a long time since our office was impacted by the fire and I am looking forward to a new home for the Wallowa Mountains and Hells Canyon Offices that our employees and the community can be proud of.”

A 2010 building fire destroyed the former District Offices, which were located on the hill above Enterprise, Oregon. Since that time, the Forest Service has temporarily occupied the former Joseph Elementary School located at 201 E 2nd Street in Joseph. The current lease is set to expire in January 2024.

The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest will share updates as renovations are made and a transition date between the two offices is scheduled.

Source: United States General Services Administration

November 15, 2022

WASHINGTON – Today at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the federal government’s first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a utility to work toward achieving 100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity (CFE), at least 50 percent of which would be provided on a 24/7 basis, in line with the requirements of Executive Order 14057.

The MOU between the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and Entergy Arkansas, LLC will help federal agencies in Arkansas meet the goals of President Biden’s Executive Order, which sets the goal of sourcing 100% of the federal government’s electricity from carbon pollution-free sources by 2030, including 50 percent 24/7 CFE, meaning delivered to the same grid region as the consuming facilities.

“This MOU marks a historic step forward and demonstrates how the federal government is partnering in initiatives to spur demand for carbon pollution-free electricity – when and where people need it,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “GSA looks forward to working with our agency partners and utilities across the country to replicate this MOU model – helping to promote local, clean energy sources and catalyze utility-scale energy storage, and create a more resilient grid.”

Under the MOU, Entergy Arkansas, one of the top 10 suppliers of electricity to the federal government, will allow its public and private sector customers to utilize regionally-sourced nuclear and renewables, including solar, hydro, or wind. The new program is one of the world’s first electricity utility tariffs that supports 24/7 hourly matching of CFE with consumers’ electricity needs, blending both existing and new CFE power generation. Once fully developed and approved, it is anticipated that Entergy Arkansas customers in both the public and private sector will have a cost-competitive and reliable option for CFE that matches their electricity consumption for all hours of the day.

Andrew Mayock, the Federal Government’s Chief Sustainability Officer at the White House, added, “Today’s MOU shows how innovative, customer-centric clean energy can help Federal agencies in Arkansas cost-effectively meet the clean energy goals of President Biden’s Federal Sustainability Plan. By building upon existing nuclear power generation with new carbon-free renewable resources, this approach helps reach net-zero emissions while keeping costs low for consumers. We hope this partnership between GSA and Entergy Arkansas will serve as a model for other Federal agencies and suppliers to accelerate the transition to clean energy.”

As a primary agency that procures electricity for the federal government, GSA is working with partner agencies to identify energy procurement options and develop strategies for reaching 100% CFE.

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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.

About Entergy Arkansas: Entergy Arkansas provides electricity to approximately 728,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR), an integrated energy company engaged in electric power production, transmission and retail distribution operations. Entergy delivers electricity to 3 million utility customers through its operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy owns and operates one of the cleanest large-scale U.S. power generating fleets with approximately 24,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including 5,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Entergy has annual revenues of $10 billion and approximately 12,000 employees.

Source: United States General Services Administration

November 15, 2022

Construction and modernization projects at land ports of entry serving as models of sustainability and innovation

WASHINGTON – Marking the first anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator Robin Carnahan celebrated the progress that has been made on land ports of entry projects across the country. Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden on November 15, 2021, GSA was appropriated $3.4 billion to build and modernize land ports of entry across the northern and southern borders. These projects will help modernize land ports of entry to enhance safety and security, strengthen our supply chains, and lower costs for American families.

“As we celebrate the first anniversary of President Biden signing this historic legislation into law, GSA continues to maximize the impact of these investments in ways that create good-paying jobs, strengthen supply chains, and enhance the safety and security of our border,” said Administrator Carnahan. “These projects are also becoming models for sustainability and innovation by incorporating low-carbon construction materials that will help boost domestic manufacturing and reduce harmful emissions. GSA looks forward to continuing this momentum and delivering projects that will strengthen local economies, facilitate the flow of commerce and trade, and help our partners at the Department of Homeland Security-Customs and Border Protection ensure a safe and secure border.”

Work has begun at all 26 locations slated for major modernization, including preliminary site acquisition activities, mandated environmental reviews, design development, and community engagements, including outreach to Tribal Nations. Nearly $130 million in program obligations, with $13.8 million in awards to small or disadvantaged businesses, have occurred to date.

GSA has also completed seven port paving projects, valued at $6.3 million, in Arizona and New York using the agency’s new low-carbon asphalt and concrete specifications. The contracts for these paving projects were awarded to and completed by women-owned, small, or disadvantaged businesses.

GSA is incorporating strategies to achieve climate and sustainability goals including use of low embodied carbon produced material, high performance green buildings, and emerging sustainable technologies in all its Bipartisan Infrastructure Law projects.

Learn more about GSA’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law projects at: gsa.gov/lpoebil.

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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

November 10, 2022

CHICAGO – Today, the U.S. General Services Administration’s Center for Emerging Building Technology kicked off an Applied Innovation Learning Laboratory project at the Bean Federal Center in Indianapolis to test both off-grid mobile charging and solar tracking technology. GSA was joined by the Sandia National Laboratories, BEAM Global and Rocking Solar to plan the pilots, which support electric vehicle supply equipment and solar energy production, respectively.

GSA partnered with the Department of Energy’s Sandia National Laboratories to plan a detailed analysis of the pilots. These pilots aim to support GSA’s ability to deliver on the commitments in Executive Order 14057 “Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability” to work towards a net-zero emissions building portfolio by 2045 and accelerate the transition to an all-electric federal fleet by 2035.

Announced by GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan earlier this year, AILL sites will serve as hubs for Center for Emerging Building Technologies programs (Green Proving Ground and Pilot to Portfolio) and encourage federal partners, industry and local utilities to work together to test new kinds of clean energy technologies.

GSA Commissioner of the Public Buildings Service Nina Albert attended the kickoff meeting and did a walkthrough of both project areas to learn more about the technologies.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with innovative companies to test new clean energy technologies that support net-zero emission buildings and vehicle charging infrastructure at federal properties,” said Albert. “Providing the space for practical testing of sustainable technologies is vital to accelerating the transition to an all-electric fleet and building a cleaner, healthier future for the country.”

Specifically, the technologies being piloted are:

• A renewable, transportable EV charging station (from BEAM Global) that combines solar, battery storage, and emergency power and can be independent or grid-tied.
• A single-axis, low-cost solar tracker (from Rocking Solar) that increases energy yield of commercial rooftop photovoltaic production by adapting a proven utility tracking technology.

“The Inflation Reduction Act will provide even more opportunities for GSA’s Green Proving Ground program to drive data-driven investment in new technologies,” said Kevin Powell, Director of the Center for Emerging Building Technology. “Building and fleet electrification is at a transformational moment, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with the Bean Federal Center to understand how we can best derive optimum value for rooftop solar and all-electric fleets.”

Reference above to any specific company, product, technology or service does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by GSA. More information on the above technologies and other ongoing evaluations can be found at GPG’s Ongoing Assessments webpage.

Bean Federal Center rooftop photos are available for downloading.

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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

November 10, 2022

Contracts awarded for project studies at Bridge of the Americas and Brownsville-Gateway LPOEs and paving design at Ysleta LPOE

WASHINGTON – The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has awarded three contracts for projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law projects at land ports of entry in Texas. These projects will help modernize our land ports of entry to enhance safety and security, strengthen our supply chains, and lower costs for American families.

At the Brownsville-Gateway Land Port of Entry (LPOE) in Brownsville, Jacobs Technology, Inc. was awarded a $4.6 million contract to conduct a program development study. The study is a technical analysis of the proposed modernization and expansion project for the port to define existing conditions, identify program requirements, and implement a plan and schedule to meet project goals and objectives.

At the Bridge of the Americas LPOE in El Paso, Richter Associates was awarded a contract to complete an enhanced feasibility study. GSA awarded the $820,000 contract for the study under the 8(a) program for small businesses to determine future workplace needs based on projected requirements and to identify viable alternatives for future selection. GSA also awarded Richter Associates a $115,000 design contract for the Ysleta Land Port of Entry Paving project. This project will improve port daily operations by repairing deteriorated roads.

“America’s land ports are vital to our economy and our security, with billions of dollars in goods and services crossing our borders each and every day,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “As we approach the first anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are more committed than ever to modernizing our land ports in ways that will create good-paying jobs and strengthen supply chains, while enhancing safety and security.”

“Investing in our land ports of entry helps GSA support the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration,” said Acting Regional Administrator Giancarlo Brizzi. “These projects will enable us to better support CBP’s mission to secure our borders while also strengthening the U.S. economy.”

Bridge of the Americas and Brownsville-Gateway are two of 26 major construction and modernization projects at LPOEs funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Ysleta LPOE is one of 21 paving projects also funded through the BIL. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will provide funds to modernize and improve LPOEs at the northern and southern borders. The upgrades to these facilities will provide considerable capacity for pedestrians and cross border travelers, while supporting the ability of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ensure a safe and secure border.

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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.