Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), which oversees federal facilities and represents one of the largest landlords in the country, is accelerating its efforts to “right-size and modernize” its federal real estate portfolio. After revealing plans to offload 23 properties in 2023 and three more earlier this year, the agency has now started the disposition […]
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announced a new request for information (RFI) focused on enabling energy efficiency and decarbonization in commercial buildings, contributing to a more efficient electric infrastructure and improving resiliency and occupant health. This latest RFI comes shortly after the GSA selected 17 emerging […]
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced a final rule amending the Federal Management Regulation to adopt the new accessibility guidelines issued by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board). The Access Board’s guidelines establish that pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way dedicated to transportation are readily accessible to and usable by people with disabilities. The […]
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has announced plans to invest $80 million from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into smart building technologies that will help reduce emissions, increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance comfort across an estimated 560 federal buildings. The GSA said the investments, impacting 49 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, […]
In a move aimed at better protecting the health of custodial staff, federal employees, and the environment, the Biden administration is directing government contractors to purchase cleaning products for federal buildings that are free of toxic “forever chemicals.” This change is the result of a collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the […]
The federal government is picking up speed on its path toward an all-electric fleet. The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has announced $25 million for electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), or EV charging ports, at federal buildings across the country. An initial planned spend of just over $20 million through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) […]
Building information modeling (BIM), a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a facility, creates a shared knowledge resource for information, making it easier for facilities managers to make decisions, according to the Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG). The WBDG notes that while some might think of BIM as just 3D modeling and […]
Facilities Management Advisor’s “Under Construction” series highlights some of the latest, most interesting facility project announcements every month. More Room for Largest HBCU During Black History Month, there were several notable facility projects that honor and benefit the Black community. The list includes the reconstruction of a 1738 fort; plans for a new Jackie Robinson […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. Bollards are short, mounted vertical posts that create a barrier to prevent vehicles from entering facilities, utilities, pedestrian areas, and sensitive components inside facilities. Facilities professionals should install bollards on their properties for asset protection and […]
Days after revealing a $2 billion investment in low-carbon construction projects at federal facilities, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced that it has identified 23 properties to begin the disposition process as it accelerates its efforts to right-size and modernize the federal buildings portfolio. The announcement represents a potential reduction of 3.5 million square […]