Category: US GSA

Source: United States General Services Administration

September 23, 2022

WASHINGTON — The U.S. General Services Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) today announced the site selection process for the new suburban FBI headquarters campus in the National Capital Region (NCR).

As part of the Fiscal Year 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Congress directed the GSA Administrator to select a site “as expeditiously as possible” from one of the three previously identified sites during project planning in 2016: Greenbelt, Md.; Landover, Md.; and Springfield, Va.

“GSA and the FBI are continuing to move forward to accomplish the key milestones outlined by Congress for the FBI headquarters campus,” said GSA Commissioner of the Public Buildings Service (PBS) Nina Albert. “We look forward to undertaking a fair and transparent process to select a site that will best serve the FBI for generations to come.”

“From the beginning, it has been our priority to identify a new headquarters solution that best meets the needs of the FBI and our workforce, and is a good deal for the taxpayers,” said FBI Assistant Director for the Finance and Facilities Division Nicholas Dimos. “We appreciate the efforts of GSA to work in tandem with the FBI to craft a clear process to select the location for the FBI’s suburban campus within the National Capital Region.”

GSA’s site selection approach is based on best practices in public real estate acquisitions and its long-standing expertise in developing federal facilities. The process also incorporates federal agency goals and directives from law, regulations, and executive orders. To provide transparency to the public and stakeholders about how this determination will be made, GSA is publicly providing a summary fact sheet of the evaluation process and a copy of the site selection plan. These can be found in GSA’s FOIA Reading Room.

GSA anticipates making a selection in the coming months. In parallel, efforts are underway to identify critical space for an FBI downtown DC facility, complementing the new suburban campus, in accordance with the FY 2023 President’s Budget. This site will allow for continued FBI accessibility to the Department of Justice and other key partners.

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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 value and savings in real estate, acquisition, technology, and other mission-support 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

September 22, 2022

Yearlong project will include partial and continuous northbound vehicle lane closures

CALEXICO, Calif. ㅡ The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection announce the start of a 12-month construction phase to install a canopy over the northbound vehicle inspection lanes at the Calexico West Land Port of Entry (LPOE). The installation of the 395-foot-long canopy will require phased closure of northbound vehicle inspection lanes to ensure the safety of workers and the traveling public. The first phase will occur Monday, September 26, 2022 – Wednesday, October 5, 2022. Beginning at 8 p.m. Monday night, 5 lanes will be open (5 will close) Monday – Friday from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. A total of 8 lanes will be open (2 remaining closed) from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. Saturday and Sunday operations will utilize all available vehicle lanes.

The vehicle inspection lane closure sequence for the first phase is outlined below:

• September 26, 2022 to September 28, 2022 – The five westernmost northbound vehicle lanes (6-10) will be closed during non-peak, nighttime hours, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Lanes 7 and 8 will remain closed continuously, including during daytime hours.
• September 28, 2022 to September 30, 2022 – The five middle northbound vehicle lanes (3-7) will be closed during non-peak, nighttime hours, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Lanes 5 and 6 will remain closed continuously, including during daytime hours.
• October 3, 2022 to October 5, 2022 – The four easternmost northbound vehicle lanes (1-4) will be closed during non-peak, nighttime hours, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Lanes 2 and 3 will remain closed continuously, including during daytime hours.

Additional northbound vehicle lane closures will be necessary over the next 12 months to install segments of the canopy while minimizing impact to port operations and ensuring the safety of the traveling public. Subsequent traffic advisories will provide details of future vehicle lane closures. This work is part of GSA’s larger reconfiguration and expansion project at the port which supports the CBP mission and will improve traveler’s border-crossing experience.

CBP is encouraging travelers to enter through Calexico East LPOE to help alleviate traffic congestion at the Calexico West LPOE. To help minimize border wait times, Calexico’s East LPOE will open at 5 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. Monday through Friday starting September 26. Hours on Saturday and Sunday will remain as normal at Calexico East LPOE from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

SENTRI lanes at Calexico East LPOE will open at 5 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. from Monday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

SENTRI lanes at Calexico West LPOE remain unchanged from 4 a.m. to 12 a.m. from Monday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday remain 4 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Pedestrian lanes at both Calexico’s East and West Ports of Entry will remain unaffected during this 12-month period.

Southbound hours of operation at both Calexico East and West remain unchanged.

CBP anticipates higher than normal border crossing wait times during this period and advises travelers to prepare for potential delays. Border wait times can be monitored 24/7 at https://bwt.cbp.gov/.

For more information about the Calexico West LPOE reconfiguration and expansion project, visit the Calexico West project page.

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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 CBP: CBP officers at the border crossing in Southern California stop illegal activity while processing millions of legitimate travelers into the United States.

Understand that everyone who applies for entry into the U.S. is subject to inspection. CBP officers may conduct a search of your person, your luggage and vehicle in order to enforce our laws as well as protect other travelers.

Source: United States General Services Administration

September 22, 2022

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced at the GSA Acquisition Policy Federal Advisory Committee’s (GAP FAC) first public meeting the 28 inaugural members selected from a candidate field of more than 100 highly experienced and knowledgeable experts to serve as its advisors. The GAP FAC will advise the GSA Administrator on emerging acquisition issues, challenges, and opportunities to support its role as America’s buyer.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Federal Advisory Committee Act than by launching this advisory committee, which will help guide acquisition policy of the world’s largest buyer, the U.S. government,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan in her welcoming remarks to the new members. “GSA plays a leading role, through our Federal Acquisition Service. It’s our responsibility to bring together top experts from around the country with practical, on-the-ground experience to help generate ideas for how we can improve the way government buys things and leverage the government’s buying power to advance important policy goals.”

The Committee charged itself today with an initial focus on driving regulatory, policy, and process changes to embed climate and sustainability considerations in federal acquisition. This includes recommending steps GSA can take to support its workforce and industry partners in ensuring climate and sustainability issues are fully considered in the acquisition process.

“We are grateful that these highly experienced and knowledgeable experts have agreed to volunteer their time and talents to help us,” said Office of Government-wide Policy Associate Administrator Krystal J. Brumfield, who also serves as the agency’s Chief Acquisition Officer. “I look forward to their recommendations for acquisition policy that advance GSA’s mission as America’s buyer, an acquisition workforce that is ready for the future, and a domestic supplier base incentivized to supply innovative offerings to the federal government.”

The Committee members and their organizational affiliations are:

Earlier this year, GSA announced its intent to launch the Committee and received over 100 nominations in response. GSA’s Office of Government-wide Policy vetted the candidates and built the esteemed Committee whose members include representatives from industry, including small businesses; federal, state, and local governments; industry associations; and academia.

The GAP FAC will operate in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Consistent with FACA and its requirements, each meeting of the GAP FAC will be open to the public unless otherwise notified, in accordance with the Government in the Sunshine Act, and those meetings will be fully accessible to individuals with disabilities.

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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 value and savings in real estate, acquisition, technology, and other mission-support services across government, in support of the Biden-Harris Administration’s priorities. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.

About FACA: The Federal Advisory Committee Act was enacted in 1972 to ensure that advice by the various advisory committees formed over the years is objective and accessible to the public. Federal advisory committees are guided by these statutes and regulations.

Source: United States General Services Administration

September 20, 2022

TACOMA, Wash. – The National Endowment for the Arts is hosting an informational webinar about the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Art in Architecture program and upcoming opportunities for artists in the Pacific Northwest on Thursday, September 22, at 10 a.m. PT.

The Art in Architecture Program oversees the commissioning of artworks for GSA-controlled federal buildings nationwide. These artworks enhance the civic meaning of federal architecture and showcase the vibrancy of American visual arts. GSA and NEA are collaborating to increase awareness for this program and promote relevant opportunities to artists that reflect the diverse communities of the nation.

In fall of 2022, the Art in Architecture program is launching 26 federal percent-for-art commissions along the northern and southern borders, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Five of these new public art opportunities will be in the Northwest/Arctic Region:

• Alcan LPOE | Tok, Alaska
• Porthill LPOE | Porthill, Idaho
• Pacific Highway LPOE | Blaine, Washington
• Sumas LPOE | Sumas, Washington
• Lynden LPOE | Lynden, Washington

“These Land Ports of Entry projects will greatly improve the traveling experience between the United States and Canada,” said Lisa Pearson, Acting Northwest/Arctic Regional Commissioner for the Public Buildings Service. “The Art in Architecture program allows these ports to serve as welcoming gateways to our country.”

As part of the webinar, attendees will learn:

• The history and goals of the GSA Art in Architecture program
• How you can be considered for upcoming project opportunities and join the National Artist Registry
• What to expect if you are selected

GSA’s Art in Architecture Program was created in 1972 and has commissioned more than 500 artworks by American artists, pieces that are permanently installed in federal buildings throughout the United States.

For more information about GSA’s Art in Architecture program, please visit: https://www.gsa.gov/real-estate/design-and-construction/art-in-architecturefine-arts/art-in-architecture-program.

Webinar Details:

When: Sept. 22: Pacific Northwest (5 projects)

Time: 10:00 p.m. – 11:00 a.m. PT

Closed captioning will be available. Should you need other reasonable accommodations, please send a request to events@arts.gov.

To register in advance for this webinar, visit:

Webinar Registration – Zoom (zoomgov.com)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Source: United States General Services Administration

September 19, 2022

The Request for Information aims to help with future solar-panel solicitations

WASHINGTON – Today, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to spur Made-in-America clean energy industries, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) issued a Request for Information (RFI) to learn more about the availability of domestically manufactured solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and components. GSA seeks to better understand how it can encourage domestic manufacturing of PV panels through federal procurement as part of a comprehensive policy to support both decarbonizing the U.S. electric grid and securing a domestic clean energy supply chain.

“Today’s action seeking input from industry is a prime example of how we’re harnessing federal buying power to catalyze clean energy innovation and spur domestic manufacturing,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “GSA is proud to be contributing to the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to lower energy costs, combat the climate crisis, and ensure the clean energy future is built right here in the USA.”

“Today’s step towards domestic clean energy manufacturing is yet another example of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to ensuring our clean energy future is built here in America by American workers,” said Celeste Drake, Director of the Made in America Office. “Investing in solar panels that are made in America would deliver on President Biden’s whole-of-government procurement strategy to create more green jobs here in America as we combat the climate crisis.”

The information received will help GSA develop a procurement strategy, which will potentially include a standard for use in future solicitations where the use of PV panels and components are required.

The RFI supports the goals of several Executive Orders: EO 14005 on Ensuring the Future is Made in All of America by All of America’s Workers, EO 14017 on America’s Supply Chains, and EO 14057 on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability.

“Clean energy technologies such as solar photovoltaics play a critical role in our strategy to modernize the electric power system,” shared Andrew Mayock, US Federal Chief Sustainability Officer. “The expansion of our domestic manufacturing capability, incentivized by the Inflation Reduction Act and further supported by government procurement, will result in lower energy costs for all, increase the resilience of our power grid, create good-paying jobs at home, and help prevent further worsening of the climate crisis.”

The President also recently called for the development of new agreements for “domestically manufactured solar power systems to increase the speed and efficiency with which domestic clean electricity providers can sell their products to the U.S. Government” and “[s]o-called ‘Super Preferences’ to apply domestic content standards for federal procurement of solar power systems, including domestically manufactured solar photovoltaic components, consistent with the Buy American Act.” These actions aim to spur domestic clean energy manufacturing, lower energy costs, and create good-paying jobs. GSA is seeking industry input on how best to meet these goals.

GSA encourages industry partners to provide input on the state of the marketplace, as well as considerations that GSA should keep in mind as it crafts a potential procurement standard. Responses can be submitted via Regulations.gov and are due by November 18, 2022. After the comment period closes, GSA can better gauge the timeline for future steps in the rulemaking process.

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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.