Category: US GSA

Source: United States General Services Administration

November 10, 2022

Contact: tanya.schusler@gsa.gov

Program will drive innovation in sustainability by piloting emerging technologies

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 toward a net-zero emissions building portfolio by 2045 and accelerate the transition to an all-electric federal fleet by 2035.

In an announcement 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 Public Buildings Service Commissioner 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 the GPG Ongoing Assessments webpage.

Bean Federal Center rooftop photos are available for downloading.

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About GSA: We provide 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. For more information, visit other sections of GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.

Source: United States General Services Administration

November 10, 2022

In addition to measuring the use of specific approaches to increasing diversity, equity and inclusion, the study also reveals the benefits of making these efforts.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and Dodge Construction Network released the findings of a new industry survey in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion SmartMarket Report that finds more work is needed among architecture firms and construction companies to improve diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in their industry. The report also details the organizational and business benefits of doing so.

The Request for Information (RFI) issued by GSA asked about engagement with a range of activities that these companies use to address diversity and inclusion at their own organizations, mainly focusing on practices involving hiring, training, promotion, leadership priorities and policies. The companies were then grouped into three categories (high, moderate and low engagement); the findings were that 23% of architects and 15% of contractors falling into the “high engagement” category, while nearly half of architects (46%) and contractors (49%) falling into the “low to no engagement” category.

The top three ways architects and contractors are engaging in DEI activities include: Offering training promoting a more diverse, inclusive and positive workplace culture; considering diversity and inclusion when selecting other members of the project team; and, having a code of ethics that include a diversity and inclusion focus. Yet, more than half of the respondents indicated they choose only the training option.

Those utilizing any of the DEI activities in the survey were asked about the benefits to their firms, processes and projects they attribute to their DEI engagement. The findings clearly demonstrate those who are more engaged in DEI also experience more benefits from doing so:

• 83% of highly engaged architects and 61% of highly engaged contractors report they have a more inclusive and positive workplace culture.
• More than half of highly engaged architects experience benefits that enhance their firms, making them more competitive and better places to work, including improved employee well-being, expanded perspectives for decision making, better communication between leadership and staff, an increased ability to recruit workers, more commitment to their organization from younger staff members and improved industry reputation. They also report increased collaboration on their projects.
• The top benefits experienced by contractors are related to their efforts to recruit and retain workers. The worker recruitment benefits are direct, through increased access to skilled labor, and indirect, through having an improved reputation for industry leadership, which makes them a more desirable place to be employed.

In addition to examining their company practices and policies, the study also reveals the extent to which architects and contractors actively seek to improve how their projects impact the communities in which they are located.The findings here suggest some engagement, but leave plenty of room for improvement.

“The results of this survey reinforce the building industry has significant opportunity to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion and that, by doing so, can improve business outcomes,” said Nina Albert, GSA’s Commissioner of Public Buildings Services. “At GSA, we’re committed to leading by example and leveraging our buying power to increase diversity, equity and inclusion industry-wide.”

“It’s a critical time for us to get this right and make sure we’re leveraging these once-in-a-generation federal infrastructure investments and coordinated policy actions to advance DEIA in the communities we serve,” said GSA Senior Advisor to the Administrator for Equity, Andrea M. O’Neal, speaking of the Biden-Harris Administration’s equity priorities and commitments to the American public.

While almost half (49%) of architects report their firm considers community impact and well-being on more than 50% of their projects during design, only 22% seek community input beyond mandated requirements on the same share of their projects.

Similarly, nearly half (42%) of contractors prioritize hiring workers from the communities surrounding their projects but only 15% seek community input beyond mandates on 50% or more of their projects.

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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

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Design and Construction SmartMarket Brief provides insights from industry leaders and case studies that demonstrate how companies can improve their engagement with DEI and can be downloaded at GSA.gov.

Source: United States General Services Administration

November 4, 2022

Contact: tanya.schusler@gsa.gov

CHICAGO ㅡ The U.S. General Services Administration will host a public scoping meeting in support of an Environmental Impact Statement to address the future of the four buildings at 202, 208-212, 214, and 220 S. State St., adjacent to the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in downtown Chicago.

The public is encouraged to attend and participate in the meeting on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, 4-7 p.m. CT, at the Morrison Conference Center on the second floor of the Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago.

Advanced registration is required at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gsa-scoping-meeting-for-202-208-212-214-and-220-south-state-street-registration-077.

The public will have an opportunity to learn more about the project and provide input. The public may also submit written comments via email to statestreet@gsa.gov or by mail to Joseph Mulligan, General Services Administration, 230 S. Dearborn St., Suite 3600, Chicago, Illinois, 60604. Comments must be received by Monday, Dec. 12, 2022.

The purpose of the scoping meeting is to obtain input on impacts and alternatives that should be addressed in the EIS GSA is preparing.

The National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 process will also be initiated during the scoping meeting, and those interested in participating in the consultation process will be invited to express their interest during the meeting. Consulting parties are those that have consultative roles in the Section 106 process, including state historic preservation officers; tribal historic preservation officers; Indian tribes; representatives of local governments; applicants for federal assistance, permits, licenses, and other approvals; the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; and other individuals and organizations with a demonstrated interest in the undertaking or the affected historic properties (36 CFR 800.2). If you or your consulting party are unable to attend but would like to be considered for the NHPA Section 106 consulting process, send an expression of interest to statestreet@gsa.gov by Dec. 12, 2022.

All four properties, for which Congress has appropriated funds for demolition, reside in the Loop Retail Historic District listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Two of the four buildings, the Century Building at 202 S. State St. and the Consumers Building at 220 S. State St., are contributing elements to the historic district.

WHAT: Environmental Impact Statement Public Scoping Meeting.

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, 4-7 p.m. CT.

WHERE: Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building, Morrison Conference Center, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago.

WHO: General public.

HOW: Advanced registration is required via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gsa-scoping-meeting-for-202-208-212-214-and-220-south-state-street-registration-077 and will be limited to 150 in-person participants.

GSA will establish a meeting schedule for consulting parties and host a follow-up public hearing in spring 2023.

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About GSA: We provide 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. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.

Source: United States General Services Administration

November 3, 2022

Administrator Carnahan says none of GSA’s IRA funds will be used to install fossil fuel-based equipment

SAN FRANCISCO – U.S. General Services Administration Administrator Robin Carnahan was the keynote speaker at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo on Nov. 3, and announced the agency’s commitment to ensuring that GSA’s Inflation Reduction Act funding will not be used to install fossil fuel-based equipment.

She highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to tackling climate change via historic investments from the Inflation Reduction Act, including achieving net-zero emissions in federal operations by 2050 and a net-zero buildings portfolio by 2045.

“This is an all-hands-on-deck moment. People across government, workers on the front lines, entrepreneurs, and businesses like yours have never been more aligned in working together to build a clean energy economy and make our planet healthier,” said Administrator Carnahan. “And, because of the Inflation Reduction Act, this isn’t a pipe dream – it’s an actual plan, and we have the momentum and the money to make it happen.”

Carnahan outlined GSA’s plans to work with industry to invest over $3 billion in low-carbon materials and emerging technologies to help drive the federal footprint to net-zero. She said that GSA would be announcing hundreds of millions of dollars in projects before the end of the year.

The Inflation Reduction Act provides a boost to GSA’s efforts to decarbonize its real estate portfolio—which will ultimately help reduce emissions and accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies. The law provides $2.15 billion for low-embodied carbon materials in construction projects; $975 million to support emerging and sustainable technologies; and $250 million for measures to convert federal facilities into High Performance Green Buildings.

“There’s no time to waste, which is why we’ll be announcing hundreds of millions of dollars in projects before the end of this year,” Carnahan continued. “As part of that, I’m pleased to be able to make a commitment to this community today. None of GSA’s $3 billion in funds I’ve just outlined from the Inflation Reduction Act will go toward installing new fossil fuel-based equipment.”

Read the full text of Administrator Carnahan’s remarks.

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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 2, 2022

BOSTON – The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), on behalf of the U.S. Forest Service, is offering a former Administrative Site for sale by online auction. The property is listed on GSA’s real property website (realestatesales.gov/) as Gateway to the Greens.

Property Details

The property is:

• Located at 1129 State Route 7 South, Middlebury, VT 05753
• Offered “AS IS” and “WHERE IS”

The 3.9-acre property is improved with:

• Administrative building (1,792 square feet sf)
• Workshop (2,160 sf)
• Four bay garage (2,176 sf)
• Butler Building (119 sf)
• Gas and oil house (166 sf)
• Lumber storage (102 sf)
• Firewood storage (146 sf)

The property is serviced by municipal water and electricity. Wastewater is processed by a septic tank. The property is accessible from two entrances located on State Route 7, and is five minutes from Middlebury center, and one hour from Burlington VT.

For additional information, prospective bidders are encouraged to read the Invitation for Bids at: https://realestatesales.gov/ATTACHMENT/REGNB/BOSTN/MiddleburyIFB.pdf

Prospective bidders can view a video of the property at: https://youtu.be/Yu5GuUbOboY

Auction Details

The auction opened on November 2, 2022, at 09:00 a.m. CT.

Those interested in bidding are required to register in advance and submit a $5,000 registration deposit. The starting bid will be $125,000 and bid increments will be $2,000.

Potential bidders are invited, urged and cautioned to inspect the property prior to registering and submitting a bid. Inspection dates will be posted to the website and coordinated with the GSA Project Manager Anthony Barbati.

For additional details and inquiries regarding the Property and inspection dates please contact:

Anthony Barbati
Phone: 617-459-6776
Fax: 617-565-5720
Anthony.Barbati@gsa.gov

For questions regarding payment, contact the following sales office:

New England Region
10 Causeway Street
11th Floor
Boston, MA 02222
Phone: 617-565-5700

The marketing and sales effort is being handled by GSA’s New England Region Real Property Utilization and Disposal Division. The 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.