Category: US GSA

Source: United States General Services Administration

May 31, 2023

BOSTON – Today, GSA has issued a Notice of Availability for the Nobska Lighthouse in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. 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 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, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard, 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 added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. The 40-foot tall, cylindrical, iron tower was cast in Chelsea, Massachusetts in 1876, and transported to Woods Hole in four sections. It was constructed on site and painted reddish-brown, but is now white. The lighthouse is capped with a standard cast iron lantern that houses a fourth order Fresnel lens.

In addition to the lighthouse, the four-acre property includes the original keeper’s quarters and a brick oil house, and paint lockers, all constructed in 1876. The second keeper’s quarters which is connected to the original was added in 1900. The garage was built in 1931 and the radio building beacon was built in 1937. The keeper’s quarters are Victorian wood frame buildings with gabled roofs.

The property is accessible from Nobska Road east of the harbor entrance. It is an active aid to navigation operated by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).

Under the NHLPA, the property may be obtained for educational, park, recreational, cultural, or historic preservation purposes. 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 (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.

The NPS will review all applications submitted and may recommend a steward to receive the property. If a recommendation is made, the General Services Administration (GSA) will complete the conveyance to the selected steward 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 16, 2023

Major milestone for industrial decarbonization advances eleven projects through materials with substantially lower levels of embodied carbon emissions

WASHINGTON — Marking a major milestone for the Biden-Harris Administration’s industrial decarbonization goals, the U.S. General Services Administration today announced a pilot of new requirements [PDF – 88 KB] for the procurement of substantially lower embodied carbon construction materials in GSA projects funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. The requirements [PDF – 145 KB] were developed with market insights gathered from domestic manufacturers, local suppliers, small businesses, and environmental and labor groups. They advance President Biden’s federal sustainability goals and efforts to strengthen American leadership in clean manufacturing and jobs.

The Inflation Reduction Act provides $3.375 billion for GSA to invest in federal buildings to help reduce carbon emissions and catalyze innovation. This Act includes $2.15 billion to procure low embodied carbon materials for construction and renovation projects. In support of the Biden-Harris Administration Federal Buy Clean Initiative, these investments are helping GSA leverage its purchasing power to spur markets for products that have substantially lower levels of embodied greenhouse gas emissions associated with their raw materials, transportation, and manufacturing — all of which occurs before GSA purchases the products. This pilot will help achieve President Biden’s federal sustainability goals, including a net zero emissions federal building portfolio by 2045, and net zero emissions procurement by 2050, while supporting good American manufacturing jobs.

“Today’s announcement marks a major step forward in our efforts to use the federal government’s buying power to catalyze innovation and strengthen American leadership in clean manufacturing and jobs,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “We look forward to acting on what we learn from this pilot to accelerate progress toward the government’s urgent climate goals, and achieve the sustainability triple-win of good jobs, value for taxpayers and a healthier planet for future generations.”

The six-month pilot will go into effect immediately, applying the GSA interim IRA Low Embodied Carbon Material Requirements [PDF – 145 KB] into procurement for eleven GSA construction and modernization projects [PDF – 88 KB]. The pilot will generate insights into regional market availability of qualifying products and materials, and inform adjustments that may be needed for GSA’s final set of material requirements for its IRA-funded projects.

“In the face of the climate crisis, our progress will be measured by the pace with which we put steel in the ground and literally build the clean energy economy,” said National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. “Today, we are kicking off construction projects around the country that will put people to work on that vision, and create the demand for more climate solutions, like low-carbon steel, concrete and other materials, manufactured here and stamped Made in America.”

The GSA interim requirements are based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Interim Determination [PDF]. They set global warming potential limits for the most carbon-intensive materials prioritized by the federal interagency Buy Clean Task Force: asphalt, concrete, glass, and steel. These limits reflect feedback from three requests for information on low embodied carbon construction materials, two industry days organized by GSA in February, and close interagency collaboration through the Buy Clean Task Force. GSA also developed FAQs [PDF – 291 KB] to address questions and comments.

The pilot signals to manufacturers that GSA requires Environmental Product Declarations for materials procured using IRA funding. EPDs are a key tool for gaining visibility into a product’s environmental impacts through its entire lifetime in a standard, third party-verified format, and they are commonly used in Buy Clean programs. Some product categories, such as hollow structural sections and structural steel plate produced in integrated steel mills, have not yet published EPDs, so the GSA pilot provides additional time for manufacturers to gather and publish data. Once adequate data is available in the market, GSA plans to establish GWP limits for individual manufacturing processes (i.e. integrated mills and electric arc furnaces) to promote innovation throughout the industry and lower emissions from all processes. The pilot also implements EPA’s Interim Determination, which establishes the definition of “substantially lower” greenhouse gas emissions based on EPDs.

“This new Buy Clean pilot will inform our whole-of-government approach to accelerating the innovation and adoption of more environmentally-preferable construction materials needed to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “By addressing pollution from energy-intensive manufacturing and learning from GSA’s construction projects, we can bolster Federal Buy Clean efforts and make significant gains towards our climate goals and a stronger economy.”

The GSA pilot requirements are a part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s comprehensive approach to industrial decarbonization. While GSA and the U.S. Department of Transportation engage the market for these products to encourage increased EPD harmonization and availability, EPA is working to establish new grant, technical assistance and carbon labeling programs for construction materials. These actions are also aligned with the U.S. Department of Energy’s $6 billion Industrial Demonstrations Program, which will provide funding to accelerate emissions reductions in energy-intensive industries and help scale production of promising new technologies.

“GSA has been an industry leader in high-performance green buildings for more than 20 years. We will continue to work with industry as we pilot lower embodied carbon materials, which represent almost a third of the built environment’s total emissions,” said GSA Public Buildings Service Commissioner Nina Albert. “GSA also continues to strive for net zero carbon from operations across its portfolio of approximately 1,650 federally-owned buildings located across the United States.”

GSA will share these new requirements with other federal agencies to inform governmentwide construction procurement as well as signatories of the Federal-State Buy Clean Partnership. GSA continues to solicit questions and comments on these requirements at embodiedcarbon@gsa.gov.

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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. Our mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. Follow us at @USGSA.