Category: US GSA

Source: United States General Services Administration

May 31, 2023

BOSTON – Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has issued a Notice of Availability for the Lynde Point Lighthouse in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. The historic lighthouse is available at no cost to eligible entities as part of a federal disposal program enabled by the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act (NHLPA) of 2000. This is one of a record number of lighthouses being offered in 2023 to government agencies, nonprofits, and the public via auction.

Under the NHLPA, a property that has been determined to exceed the needs of the U.S. Coast Guard (USGC) is made available at no cost to eligible entities defined as:

• Federal agencies
• State and local agencies
• Nonprofit organizations
• Educational agencies or community development organizations for educational purposes
• Park, recreational, cultural, or historic preservation purposes

Each year, GSA, in conjunction with the USCG, Department of Homeland Security, and the National Park Service (NPS), issues Notices of Availability for historic light stations as part of the NHLPA. Under the NHLPA, the property may be obtained for educational, park, recreational, cultural, or historic preservation purposes.

The Lynde Point Lighthouse is a white wood-framed lighthouse erected in 1838 sits at the entrance to the Connecticut River in Old Saybrook along the coast of the Long Island Sound. It is located in the Fenwick Borough of Old Saybrook.

The lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. The octagonal structure is capped with a cylindrical gray cast-iron lantern, topped by an arched “ogee” iron roof. The tower height is 65 feet.

The one-acre property also includes a two-story duplex residence with three-bedrooms in each unit and a 1.5-story two-car garage, both built in 1970.

The property is accessible via an easement over Sequassen Avenue which is a private way. The property is protected by a seawall of large-coursed stone blocks.

For complete details on the property, including conditions, range of possible uses, commercial activities, utilities, etc. eligible entities can review the Notice of Availability.

Any eligible entity with an interest in acquiring the property for a use consistent with the purposes stated above should submit a letter of interest to the address below within 60 (sixty) days from the date of this notice.

Letters of interest should include:

• Name of property
• Name of eligible entity
• Point of contact, title, address, phone and email
• Non-profit agencies must provide a copy of their state-certified articles of incorporation before the end of the 60-day Notice period.

Eligible entities that submit a letter of interest will be sent an application from the NPS and given an opportunity to inspect the property. Building inspectors and/or contractors may accompany the applicant on the inspection. The application is due within 90 days from the date of the site inspection.

NPS will review all applications and may recommend one applicant to receive the property. If a recommendation is made, GSA will complete the conveyance to the selected entity with a Quitclaim Deed. Pursuant to Section 305106 of the NHLPA, the property will be sold if it is not transferred to a public body or non-profit organization.

Letters of interest should be directed to:

U.S. General Services Administration
Real Property Utilization and Disposal Division
10 Causeway Street – 11th Floor
Boston, MA 02222
Attention: Sonia Allon-Singh (sonia.allon-singh@gsa.gov)

GSA’s New England Region Real Property Utilization and Disposal Division provides realty services to federal agencies throughout the region, as well as in New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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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

May 30, 2023

HARTFORD, Conn. – The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) will host a public scoping meeting in support of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed siting and construction of a new Federal Courthouse in Hartford, Connecticut.

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

WHEN: Tuesday, June 6, 2023
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Park Street Library @ The Lyric
Community Room
603 Park St., Hartford, CT 06106

During this meeting, 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 EIS.

There will be a project presentation at 6:00 p.m. with a public comment period to follow. An American Sign language translator and a Spanish language interpreter will be available.

All comments must be submitted by July 6, 2023.

Written comments may be submitted using one of the following methods:

• In-Person: Submit written comments at the public scoping meeting via comment forms. There will be a stenographer to capture the comments voiced during the meeting.
• Email: Send an email to HartfordCourthouse@gsa.gov and reference “Hartford Courthouse EIS” in the subject line.
• Mail: Send direct written comments to the following address:
  General Services Administration
  Attention: Robert Herman, Project Manager
  Abraham A. Ribicoff U.S. Courthouse
  450 Main Street, Suite 435
  Hartford, CT 06103
• Drop Box: Place written comments in the drop box at the main entrance of the Ribicoff Courthouse, at the following address:
  Abraham A. Ribicoff U.S. Courthouse
  450 Main Street
  Hartford, CT 06103

The existing courthouse, the Abraham A. Ribicoff Federal Building and Courthouse, was constructed in 1963 and does not have the space, functionality, security, and building systems to meet the current and projected needs of the Court. The new Courthouse will provide eleven (11) courtrooms, eighteen (18) Judge chambers and offices for court-related agencies along with 66 secured parking spaces. The project will meet the 10-year space needs of the courts and court-related agencies and will accommodate expansion to meet the anticipated 30-year needs of the courts.

“The District Court has outgrown its building, and the Judges and Court staff are excited to begin the process of learning more from both the environmental impact study and the public about each of the three potential sites for our new home,” Michael Shea, Chief Judge, United States District Court, District of Connecticut, said. “I invite members of the public to come to the meeting, hear about the study process and the needs of the Court, and offer their views on the project’s impacts.”

GSA has identified three potential sites for the project, each corresponding to an action alternative (listed north to south):

• Woodland Site – a state office building with parking lot consisting of 10.1 acres at 61 Woodland St
• Allyn Site – a surface parking lot consisting of 2.19 acres at 154 Allyn St
• Hudson Site – a surface parking lot with auto detailing shop consisting of 2.54 acres at 201 Hudson St

Further information about the project can be viewed at: http://gsa.gov/hartfordcourthouse .

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.

Source: United States General Services Administration

May 30, 2023

BOSTON – Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has issued a Notice of Availability for the Little Mark Island and Monument in Harpswell, Maine. This historic property is available at no cost to eligible entities as part of a federal disposal program authorized by the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act (NHLPA) of 2000. This is one of a record number of lighthouses being offered in 2023 to government agencies, nonprofits, and the public via auction.

Under the NHLPA, a historic lighthouse that is no longer needed by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is made available at no cost to eligible entities defined as:

• Federal agencies
• State and local agencies
• Nonprofit organizations
• Educational agencies or community development organizations for educational purposes
• Park, recreational, cultural, or historic preservation purposes

Each year, GSA, in conjunction with the USCG, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the National Park Service (NPS), issues Notices of Availability for historic light stations as part of the NHLPA. Under the NHLPA, the property may be obtained for educational, park, recreational, cultural, or historic preservation purposes.

The property comprises Little Mark Island, approximately one-acre in size, and the Little Mark Island Monument, a pyramidal stone masonry tower constructed and established as a federal aid to navigation and lifesaving facility in 1827. The monument was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. The monument is no longer an active aid to navigation maintained by the government.

The monument is 18-feet at the base and stands 50-feet tall. The tower’s interior is configured like a chimney flue and has a 12-foot square room at the base.

The exterior is painted white with a vertical black stripe centered on each of its four sides. Little Mark Island is situated at the southern end and mouth of Merriconeag Sound in Casco Bay. It is accessible by boat.

For complete details on the property, including conditions, range of possible uses, commercial activities, utilities, etc., eligible entities can review the Notice of Availability.

Any eligible entity with an interest in acquiring the property for a use consistent with the purposes stated above should submit a letter of interest to the address below within 60 (sixty) days from the date of this notice.

Letters of interest should include:

• Name of property
• Name of eligible entity
• Point of contact, title, address, phone and email
• Non-profit agencies must provide a copy of their state-certified articles of incorporation before the end of the 60-day Notice period.

Eligible entities that submit a letter of interest will be sent an application from NPS and given an opportunity to inspect the property. Building inspectors and/or contractors may accompany the applicant on the inspection. The application is due within 90 days from the date of the site inspection.

NPS will review all applications and may recommend one applicant to receive the property. If a recommendation is made, GSA will complete the conveyance to the selected entity with a Quitclaim Deed. Pursuant to Section 305106 of the NHLPA, the property will be sold if it is not transferred to an eligible entity.

Letters of interest should be directed to:

U.S. General Services Administration
Real Property Utilization and Disposal Division
10 Causeway Street – 11th Floor
Boston, MA 02222
Attention: Sonia Allon-Singh (Sonia.Allon-Singh@gsa.gov)

GSA’s New England Region Real Property Utilization and Disposal Division provides realty services to federal agencies throughout the region, as well as in New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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

May 30, 2023

BOSTON – Today, U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has issued a Notice of Availability for the Plymouth Lighthouse, more commonly known as Gurnet Lighthouse, in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The historic lighthouse is available at no cost to eligible entities as part of a federal disposal program authorized by the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act (NHLPA) of 2000. This is one of a record number of lighthouses being offered in 2023 to government agencies, nonprofits, and the public via auction.

Under the NHLPA, an historic lighthouse that is no longer needed by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is made available at no cost to eligible entities defined as:

• Federal agencies
• State and local agencies
• Nonprofit organizations
• Educational agencies or community development organizations for educational purposes
• Park, recreational, cultural, or historic preservation purposes

Each year, GSA, in conjunction with the USCG, Department of Homeland Security, and the National Park Service (NPS), issues Notices of Availability for historic light stations as part of the NHLPA. Under the NHLPA, the property may be obtained for educational, park, recreational, cultural, or historic preservation purposes.

The lighthouse was originally built in 1768. It burned down and was replaced with a pair of lights in 1801. The lights were reconstructed again in 1842. The current white octagonal wooden lighthouse is 34 feet high, capped with a standard cast iron lantern room, housing a modern beacon. Gurnet Lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

In addition to the lighthouse, the 7.8-acre property includes a single-story ranch style house with a basement, garage, solar system and a storage shed.

The lighthouse is an active aid to navigation (ATON) operated by the USCG powered by electricity and includes a fog signal horn. The fog signal is a Mariner Radio Activated Sound Signal and can be activated remotely by mariners if needed.

The property is accessible only by AWD or 4-wheel drive vehicles, taking Gurnet Road (part of Duxbury Beach) leading to the Property or by boat.

For complete details on the property, including conditions, range of possible uses, commercial activities, utilities, etc., eligible entities can review the Notice of Availability.

Any eligible entity with an interest in acquiring the property for a use consistent with the purposes stated above should submit a letter of interest to the address below within 60 (sixty) days from the date of this notice.

Letters of interest should include:

• Name of property
• Name of eligible entity
• Point of contact, title, address, phone and email
• Non-profit agencies must provide a copy of their state-certified articles of incorporation before the end of the 60-day notice period.

Eligible entities that submit a letter of interest will be sent an application from the National Park Service and provided an opportunity to inspect the property. Building inspectors and/or contractors may accompany the applicant on the inspection. The application is due within 90 days from the date of the site inspection.

NPS will review all applications and may recommend one applicant to receive the Property. If a recommendation is made, GSA will complete the conveyance to the selected entity with a Quitclaim Deed. Pursuant to Section 305106 of the NHLPA, the Property will be sold if it is not transferred to a public body or non-profit organization.

Letters of interest should be directed to:

U.S. General Services Administration
Real Property Utilization and Disposal Division
10 Causeway Street – 11th Floor
Boston, MA 02222
Attention: Anthony Barbati (Anthony.Barbati@gsa.gov)

GSA’s New England Region Real Property Utilization and Disposal Division provides realty services to federal agencies throughout the region, as well as in New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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

May 22, 2023

WASHINGTON—Marking a major milestone for the Biden-Harris Administration’s industrial decarbonization goals, this week the U.S. General Services Administration announced a pilot of new requirements for the procurement of substantially lower embodied carbon construction materials in GSA projects funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The requirements were developed with market insights gathered from domestic manufacturers, local suppliers, small businesses, and environmental and labor groups. Tuesday’s announcement advances President Biden’s federal sustainability goals and the Administration’s efforts to build the clean energy economy by generating demand for cleaner materials and creating good manufacturing jobs.

Leaders from across the country praised the announcement. Here’s what they’re saying:

Roxanne Brown, Vice President at Large, United Steelworkers: “The USW appreciates the opportunity to work with the administration as it sets Buy Clean policies. USW members proudly manufacture a wide range of materials that are necessary for revitalizing our nation’s infrastructure, and today’s announcement from GSA is a step toward ensuring their jobs remain competitive.” [Tweet, 5/17/23]

Laura O’Neill Kaumo, President/CEO, American Concrete Pavement Association: “Yesterday afternoon, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced a pilot program of new requirements for substantially lower embodied carbon construction materials projects funded by $2.15 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The IRA continues to be a driving force in incentivizing the lowering of carbon in our everyday lives. We applaud the White House for its commitment to continuing to address climate change and we look forward to meeting with GSA as we do a deeper dive into the pilot program and have a better understanding of how this will impact paving projects around our nation. #climatechange #concretepaving #IRA” [Statement, 5/17/23]

Asphalt Institute: “The Asphalt Institute commends the United States General Services Administration (GSA) for moving forward with a limited pilot program. This is a crucial step to understanding different pragmatic scopes applicable when procuring low-carbon construction materials. It is refreshing to see inter-agency collaborations between the GSA and FHWA, with the Federal Highway Administration leading the way to establish appropriate industry averages by working with relevant construction material industries. We hope this pilot program paves the way for collaborations between construction material producers, domain engineers, and the federal ‘Buy Clean’ procurement decision makers and is a first step toward holistic, sustainable decision-making. #sustainable #construction” [Statement, 5/18/23]

Scott Paul, President, Alliance for American Manufacturing: “A Buy Clean policy built upon existing Buy America requirements has the potential to boost American manufacturers and workers who are doing the hard work to build a cleaner industrial sector. The details are critical to ensuring that our nation addresses its climate goals while simultaneously strengthening the industrial base… By adopting a bifurcated approach to integrated and electric arc furnace steel production, GSA got the first of many key details correct. GSA’s announcement ensures that no American steelworkers are aimlessly excluded from supplying government procurement markets. At the same time, it creates powerful incentives to accelerate the capital investments necessary for clean energy and climate innovation throughout the American steel sector.” [Statement, 5/16/23]

Jason Walsh, Executive Director, Blue Green Alliance: “We applaud the GSA for their thoughtful leadership and for incorporating stakeholder feedback into this new, updated Buy Clean framework. Getting these policies right today will help to ensure a livable climate, cleaner air, and more manufacturing jobs for U.S. workers tomorrow. With this release, GSA and the Biden administration are taking decisive steps to help ensure that federal procurement—like all federal activities—serves to reduce GHG emissions, improve health and environmental outcomes in communities harmed by environmental injustice, and create good jobs for workers across the United States.” [Statement, 5/16/23]

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Senior Director for Domestic Policy, Third Way: “These standards are a huge step forward for the Biden-Harris Buy Clean Initiative. This unlocks a $2 billion budget that GSA can use to procure low-carbon materials, jumpstart the market for cleaner construction products, and give American manufacturers a leg up on the competition. You have to hand it to the Administration for its comprehensive strategy to make producers in the US cleaner and more competitive. We’ve got the Department of Energy investing in innovation and the IRS issuing tax credits to keep our industries and workers at the cutting edge of low-carbon manufacturing. Now GSA is boosting demand for those products and reducing the risk for private investors to follow suit.” [Tweet, 5/17/23]

Neal Elliott, Director Emeritus, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy: “ACEEE commends the GSA for issuing a steel specification that balances the need for immediate reductions in embodied carbon in steel purchases with the need to incentivize continued domestic investments in primary steel decarbonization.” [Statement, 5/8/23]

Ian Wells, Federal Industrial Policy Lead, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): “By implementing these standards, GSA will leverage public spending to help spur a rebirth of American industrial manufacturing in a much smarter and cleaner context than before. As these domestic industries get cleaner, however, low-carbon procurement standards must adapt to continue to incentivize industrial manufacturers to achieve the level of emissions reduction we need to meet climate targets.” [Statement 5/16/23]

Yong Kwon, Senior Policy Advisor, Sierra Club: “The announcement marks an important step in making sure that public and private investments currently being made to dramatically reduce the pollution intensity of industrial facilities will have a space to prove their competitiveness. It also showcases the urgency of ongoing efforts to collect data and the critical work that remains to be done to set standards that would move all facilities towards eliminating fossil fuel usage in their manufacturing process.” [Statement, 5/16/23]

Natasha Vidangos, Associate Vice President, Innovation and Technology Policy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF): “GSA’s pilot program is a critical first step to develop markets for clean construction materials that will lower pollution and create U.S. jobs. Buy Clean puts federal purchasing power to work by ramping up clean solutions in this crucial, yet high emitting, part of our economy. More work lies ahead to ensure that we maximize the potential of the Buy Clean program to develop strong and competitive markets for cleaner materials, while ensuring fair outcomes for workers and communities.” [Statement, 5/16/23]

Rebecca Dell, Senior Director, Industry, ClimateWorks Foundation: “Making building materials (cement, steel, &c) emits more climate pollution than all vehicles on all roads.Today @USGSA took a big step forward, announcing it will use low-GHG materials in 11 public construction projects with funds from IRA. Great to see!” [Tweet, 5/16/23]

Mike Williams, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress: “If we are going to tackle the climate crisis, we need to tackle emissions from steel, cement, and other energy intensive materials in a way that builds up and supports American industry. The GSA’s low carbon materials pilot program will help demonstrate how to do this through procurement initiatives like Buy Clean. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, the GSA has the opportunity and imperative to change how it sources products for the projects it builds. We look forward to examining the impact of this pilot project to help hone future climate and procurement policy.” [Tweet, 5/16/23]

Anish Tilak, Manager Carbon Free Buildings, Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI): “We are excited to see GSA’s low embodied carbon construction pilot take flight, and look forward to further public-private collaboration to catalyze the market for low-carbon concrete, asphalt, glass, and steel.” [Tweet, 5/18/23]

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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.