From the Desk of Rob Hewell

Throughout federal government, there are countless examples of agencies finding new and innovative ways to deliver the best value for American taxpayers.  We share several examples in our Focus Spring Edition.

We recently completed a renovation project at the historic U.S. Courthouse in Pittsburgh, PA.  You’ll read how the renovation has allowed the U.S. Courts to reduce space by sharing a newly renovated courtroom, jury room, and common areas.  We also share details about a new lease construction project in York, PA, that co-located the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  Common area spaces, as well as shared building mechanical and life safety systems, have resulted in greater efficiency for both agencies.

GSA and SSA joined forces to execute a turnkey lease pilot project in Fredericksburg, VA.  In this edition, we discuss how a turnkey lease can decrease lead time and change orders, and why it may be an option to consider for agencies with standard office models.

We continue to seek ways to improve the operations and maintenance of our federal facilities, and we are excited to share that several of our Mid-Atlantic Region facilities recently earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (LEED® EBOM).  You’ll read which of our buildings were recognized for best practices in operations and maintenance.  

The U.S. Custom House renovation project in Philadelphia, PA, was recognized with a 2013 Preservation Achievement Grand Jury Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia.  Each year, the Preservation Alliance celebrates outstanding achievement in the field of historic preservation throughout the region.  The renovation project restored this national treasure while making it a sustainable workplace for the federal government well into the future.  You’ll read about this achievement in Focus, along with what contributed to the 22% reduction in energy use at the neighboring James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse and William J. Green, Jr. Federal Building Complex in Philadelphia.  

In this edition, you can learn about GSA’s contract award for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solutions for federal agencies, offering a monthly “per seat price” as well as great value and advanced technology for agencies looking to replace or upgrade legacy telephone systems.

This innovation would not be possible without the dedicated team of professionals at GSA.  We are honored that the Baltimore Federal Executive Board selected two members of our team to recognize as part of their 2013 Excellence in Federal Career Awards Program.  Read this edition to learn who was recognized as outstanding federal employees who demonstrate exceptional performance.

Sharing knowledge among the federal community helps us to discover new approaches that lead to greater efficiency.  This edition’s “Ask a RAM” shares information related to the implementation of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum M-12-12 Section 3:  Freeze the Footprint.  You can also learn more about our Client Enrichment Webinar Series, where we will soon explore leasing and the GSA pricing policy.  We look forward to your participation and a continued sharing of ideas.

Rob Hewell
Regional Commissioner
Mid-Atlantic Region, Public Buildings Service

This article is part of the Spring 2013 issue of the FOCUS newsletter. Please visit the Focus Newsletter page to read our newsletter. To subscribe to FOCUS, complete the online subscription form.