By investing in its backlog of infrastructure projects, GSA thinks it can stimulate the construction and real estate sectors while stimulating long-term growth in energy-efficient technologies, alternative energy solutions and green buildings, acting administrator Paul Prouty has said.
The agency’s inventory includes over 8,600 assets, with nearly 354 million square feet of rentable space nationwide and in six U.S. territories, mainly in office buildings, courthouses, land ports of entry, and warehouses.
As part of its portfolio management work and in preparation for receiving reinvestment funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Prouty said the agency was evaluating construction projects based on, for example, how fast it can create jobs and how much added energy-efficiency and sustainability it can get from projects ready for construction awards within two years.
According to Prouty, the agency is also looking for opportunities to optimize reinvestment funds by increasing building performance and reducing dependence on fossil fuel.
Improvements would include adding thicker insulation than required by the newest energy codes; converting parking structure lighting to LED, or light-emitting diode, which dramatically lowers energy consumption; retrofitting or replacing less-efficient windows; and specifying dual flush toilets and waterless or low water urinals.
The agency also will form a program management office to manage reinvestment funded projects, and it said it would hire contractors to provide support in such areas as data tracking and reporting, scheduling and budgeting, energy performance reviews, design services, construction contracting and project management.
