GSA Marks Construction Inclusion Week in Effort to Promote Industry Diversity and Inclusion
Washington – The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), which oversees billions of dollars in federal construction projects each year, is the first federal agency that will participate in Construction Inclusion Week, which is held this year Oct. 17-22. This event is one of many ways that GSA is advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) in support of its Equity Action Plan, which was released earlier this year.
“We are excited to participate in Construction Inclusion Week because diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility are core to our business” said GSA’s Public Buildings Service Commissioner Nina Albert. “As industry leaders, we are working to advance DEIA practices across the construction industry by ensuring that our buildings are accessible to all, our capital projects support economic opportunity for a diverse group of contractors, and our teams reflect the diversity of this country.”
“The American people deserve a government that works for everyone, and that includes how we build and modernize public buildings across GSA’s massive portfolio,” added GSA’s Senior Advisor for Equity Andrea M. O’Neal. “By participating in Construction Inclusion Week, we’re sending a clear message that the federal government is committed to leveraging the power of its real estate footprint and infrastructure investments to drive positive change for communities nationwide.”
GSA will be providing virtual opportunities this week to foster conversation and engagement on how the federal government can continually foster inclusion in construction. GSA will highlight how it aims to:
- Strengthen GSA’s commitment to improve diversity and inclusion in the construction industry.
- Design and construct accessible and equitable spaces where federal employees work and members of the public go to receive federal services.
- Set the bar to ensure supplier diversity and better marketplace success for Small and Disadvantaged Business contracting.
- Grow and sustain the inclusive culture our industry needs to attract, retain and develop the best talent.
- Engage communities throughout the design, construction and operational life cycle of our buildings.
For more information about Construction Inclusion Week and event registration information go to GSA Events | GSA.
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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.