Category: US GSA

Source: United States General Services Administration

March 15, 2023

19 federal building projects nationwide recognized for biennial honor

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and its Administrator Robin Carnahan presented the agency’s top awards in design for 19 federal projects that represent the best contributions in architecture and arts at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC.

The GSA Design Awards has taken place biennially since 1990 but had not been held since 2016. This year’s ceremony honored projects that were completed between 2016 and 2022. The Honor Awards and Citations recognize federal employees and the project architects, engineers, landscape architects, urban designers, interior designers, artists, conservationists, and preservationists whose exemplary work benefits the people who work in and visit federal buildings in communities nationwide.

“I’m thrilled to honor the professionals who have contributed their time and talents to ensure that federal buildings nationwide are vibrant, contributing parts of their communities,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “Through these awards, we are reaffirming our belief that excellence in design means creating spaces in which the federal government can deliver government effectively while also providing great overall experiences for the people who work in and visit federal facilities.”

“GSA’s Design Awards are evaluated by a panel of jurists who are private-sector leaders in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, sustainable design, and construction. To be recognized by a jury of peers is a great distinction for the project teams and celebrates the power of public buildings,” said Public Buildings Service Commissioner Nina Albert. The awards were presented by Carnahan, Albert and GSA Chief Architect, Charles Hardy.

The 2022 GSA Design Awards winners are as follows: (Note: “on the boards” means during the eligibility period, the project was not yet substantially complete.)

Honor Awards

• Columbus Land Port of Entry, Columbus, New Mexico (Honor Awards – Architecture and Landscape Architecture)
• Department of State Workspace Prototypes, Washington, DC (Honor Award – On the Boards)
• FBI Central Records Complex, Winchester, Virginia (Honor Award – Construction)
• The Fruit of the Spirit, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Honor Award – Art)
• Hedge Wedge, San Diego, California (Honor Award – Art)
• The Robes of Justitia, Nashville, Tennessee (Honor Award – Art)
• United States Courthouse, Los Angeles, California (Honor Award – Architecture)
• Yosemite Falls, Los Angeles, California (Honor Award – Art)

Citations

• Arthur J. Altmeyer Federal Building, Woodlawn, Maryland (Citation – Architecture)
• Captain John Foster Williams U.S. Coast Guard Building and Seawall, Boston, Massachusetts (Citations – Construction and Engineering)
• Convent Avenue and Juarez-Lincoln Land Ports of Entry, Laredo, Texas (Citation – Construction)
• Dwight D. Eisenhower National Memorial, Washington, DC (Citation – Landscape Architecture)
• John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts (Citation – On the Boards)
• John F. Kennedy Federal Building, Boston, Massachusetts (Citation – Preservation)
• Red Neon Circle Fragments on a Blue Wall, Dayton, Ohio (Citation – Conservation)
• Robert C. Weaver Federal Building, Washington, DC (Citation – Workplace)
• Tomochichi Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse Annex, Savannah, Georgia (Citation – Urban Design and Planning)
• United States Custom House, San Ysidro, California (Citation – Preservation)
• USC Consolidation- Conrad B. Duberstein U.S. Post Office and Courthouse, Brooklyn, New York (Citation – Workplace)

Along with the presentation of awards, the ceremony also included a visual retrospective to mark the 50th anniversary of the agency’s Art in Architecture (AiA) program. “This year as GSA’s Art in Architecture program marks its 50th anniversary, we have the opportunity to marvel at the incredible collection of artworks commissioned for federal buildings over the past five decades,” said GSA Fine Arts Director Jennifer Gibson, who keynoted the event. “These artworks, which become part of the fabric of a community, are the result of an individual artist’s creative talent and vision. They are also evidence that artistic expression in our democratic society is something to cherish and celebrate. It will be fascinating to see what the next 50 years bring and how artists continue to contribute to this federal art legacy.”

For more information please visit the GSA Design Awards webpage.

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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

March 21, 2023

WASHINGTON — This week, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to help expedite bringing environmental innovations into the federal marketplace. Under the agreement, GSA will use DoD’s Sustainable Technology Evaluation and Demonstration (STED) Program information on product performance and pricing to streamline the acquisition process and make sustainable technology alternatives more readily available to federal agencies.

The STED Program is coordinating with military installations to prove the performance of the sustainable alternatives. Once the STED program ensures a more sustainable alternative meets or exceeds DoD requirements, GSA will then provide assistance to vendors to help them secure a new Federal Supply Schedule, and in some cases, a National Stock Number.

“This partnership is an important step in strengthening our sustainable acquisition offerings,” said Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Sonny Hashmi. “It’s so important that we help agencies more easily find and buy products that not only meet mission needs but are also better for the environment.”

“We’re excited to expand our partnership with GSA to bring sustainable product innovation to the federal market,” said David Asiello, Director, Sustainability and Acquisition, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy Installations and Environment. “These innovations help us improve mission capability, protect the health and safety of the warfighter better, and protect the environment at the same time.”

“The backing of the STED program provides us with the resources to test, evaluate, and bring environmental innovations to market faster,” agreed Erv Koehler, Assistant Commissioner, FAS’s General Services and Supplies.

To learn more about GSA’s sustainable tools and resources for cost-effective and sustainable acquisition, visit the GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool Buyer’s Resource 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.

Source: United States General Services Administration

March 13, 2023

Contact: press@gsa.gov

PHILADELPHIA – The Biden-Harris Administration announced today that the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2024 includes funding for investments in federal buildings in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Martinsburg, West Virginia. The budget details a blueprint to grow the economy from the bottom up and middle out, lower costs for families, and more.

The budget proposes investments in the American people that will help lay a stronger foundation for shared growth and prosperity for generations to come.

“The President’s Budget reflects smart investments that will help GSA make cost-saving upgrades to federal buildings, bolster the nation’s cybersecurity, and improve how the government delivers digital services to millions of Americans,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “In addition, for the first time ever, the President’s Budget includes a provision that will guarantee full access to the Federal Buildings Fund while preserving Congress’s discretion to decide on and authorize investments – this is a game-changing provision that will enable GSA to modernize and consolidate the federal footprint, saving taxpayers millions and creating good-paying jobs in local communities.”

In Pennsylvania, the President’s FY 2024 budget request for GSA includes funding for:

• James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse | Philadelphia | $83,799,000 – This project will upgrade the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, which includes replacing obsolete air handling units. The upgrades will enhance control, optimize efficiency and improve tenant comfort.
• Joseph F. Weis Jr. Courthouse | Pittsburgh | $40,699,000 – The project will replace the HVAC system, associated electrical systems, and a section of the roof, as well as provide lightning protection.

In West Virginia, the request includes funding for:

• IRS Annex and Enterprise Computing Center | Martinsburg | $23,098,000 – The project will replace the 200,000-square-foot roof with cooler, more energy-efficient materials and improve accessibility, lightning protection and drainage throughout the roof.

“These projects will provide much needed updates to these important facilities,” said acting Regional Administrator Tom Lyman. “The projects will support our customers, modernize infrastructure, provide more sustainable systems, and create the potential for jobs in Martinsburg, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.”

Please visit https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/ for more information. For the GSA budget request, please visit https://www.gsa.gov/cj.

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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 @US_GSAR3.

Source: United States General Services Administration

March 14, 2023

Contact: tanya.schusler@gsa.gov

CHICAGO – The Biden-Harris Administration announced today that the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2024 includes funding for improvements to the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago, the Major General Emmett J. Bean Federal Center in Indianapolis, and the Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building in Detroit. The Budget details a blueprint to grow the economy from the bottom up and middle out, lower costs for families, and more.

The Budget proposes investments in the American people that will help lay a stronger foundation for shared growth and prosperity for generations to come.

“The President’s Budget reflects smart investments that will help GSA make cost-saving upgrades to federal buildings, bolster the nation’s cybersecurity, and improve how the government delivers digital services to millions of Americans,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “In addition, for the first time ever, the President’s Budget includes a provision that will guarantee full access to the Federal Buildings Fund while preserving Congress’s discretion to decide on and authorize investments – this is a game-changing provision that will enable GSA to modernize and consolidate the federal footprint, saving taxpayers millions and creating good-paying jobs in local communities.”

In the Great Lakes region, the President’s FY 2024 budget request for GSA includes:

• Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse | Chicago | $24.49 million – This repair and alteration project corrects fire and life safety deficiencies and upgrades the lighting systems in courtrooms and ground floor elevator lobbies.
• Major General Emmett J. Bean Federal Center | Indianapolis | $50.4 million – This repair and alteration project completes critical repairs and upgrades to the building’s exterior, including window systems, and replacement of the building’s cooling tower.
• Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building | Detroit | $46.9 million – This repairs and alterations project completes upgrades to critical building systems by modernizing the passenger and freight elevators and replacing the electrical infrastructure and perimeter security bollards.

“We’re looking forward to the opportunity to make an impact on our communities in Chicago, Indianapolis, and Detroit,” said Region 5 Public Buildings Service Commissioner Angel Dizon. “In serving our federal customers in these buildings, we’re also excited to provide them with much-needed sustainability, infrastructure, and security improvements, which will better enable them to carry out their missions.”

For more information on the President’s FY 2024 Budget, please visit https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/. The GSA Budget request will be posted at https://www.gsa.gov/cj.

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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

March 27, 2023

BOSTON – The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has awarded a contract for architectural and engineering services in support of the new Land Port of Entry at Norton, Vermont.

Funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the $734,073 contract was awarded to Dattner Architects. The scope of the contract award is to provide pre-design services with optional design and construction phase services to meet the requirements of the Federal inspection agencies at the Norton land port.

This project will also provide the opportunity to incorporate sustainability features that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate the impact of buildings on the environment, and simultaneously increase the mission readiness of the Federal government by increasing resilience to climate change.

“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. “The investments created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are a historic opportunity to modernize our land ports in ways that will create good-paying jobs and strengthen supply chains, while enhancing safety and security.”

When completed, the port will improve public and officer safety, and provide for the long-term, safe and efficient flow of current and projected traffic volumes.

“GSA’s goal is to provide long-lasting and durable buildings which are sustainable and climate resilient, with low maintenance and operating costs,” Region 1 Public Buildings Service Commissioner and Acting Regional Administrator Glenn C. Rotondo said. “The original facility at Norton was constructed in 1933 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The new facility will be highly functional and technologically efficient while respecting the historic nature of the current port. We are excited for the opportunity to work with our Federal partners and begin the process to improve this facility, and the economic prospects this project will bring to the region.”

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