GSA Recognizes Hot, Cold Innovations in Sustainable Government

WASHINGTON — The nation’s largest solar power generation facility and a new, energy-efficient chiller plant earned top recognition today from the U.S. General Services Administration during its 13th annual Achievement Awards for Real Property Innovation.

The event, at the American Institute of Architects headquarters in Washington, recognized cutting-edge innovation in federal real property management.

"As the largest consumer of energy in the U.S. economy, the federal government is taking the lead to reduce power, fuel, and water consumption while increasing recycling and other waste diversion efforts,” said Michael Robertson, Associate Administrator of GSA's Office of Governmentwide Policy. “By highlighting these exceptional models of sustainability, we are demonstrating what can be achieved through effective property asset management.”

The ground-breaking efforts in asset management and sustainability categories honored the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Smithsonian Institution, respectively. NASA won for its effort with Florida Power & Light Co. to create the nation’s largest solar power generation facility.

The Smithsonian Institution’s Fast-Track Energy Savings Performance Contract received top honors for its entry in the sustainability category. Together with Noresco LLC, the Smithsonian created a new energy-efficient chiller plant for the National Museum of American History.

Six federal agencies were among those vying for top honors in various categories including real estate policy, real property management, acquisition, construction, sustainable development, disposal, budget, performance, and public/private partnerships. Special recognition awards were also presented to Department of the Interior, the U.S. National Park Service and GSA’s Public Buildings Service, Great Lakes Region.

The Achievement Awards for Real Property Innovation are managed by GSA’s Office of Real Property Management, a division of the agency’s Office of Governmentwide Policy. This effort helps federal agencies promote the responsible development of domestic renewable energy, which, in turn, enhances U.S. energy supplies and improves federal real property stewardship as a whole.

For more information about GSA’s Office of Real Property Management and its innovative real estate and workplace initiatives, visit gsa.gov/realpropertypolicy.

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GSA provides a centralized delivery system of products and services to the federal government, leveraging its enormous buying power to get the best value for taxpayers.

• Founded in 1949, GSA manages more than one-fourth of the government’s total procurement dollars and influences the management of $500 billion in federal assets, including 8,600 government-owned or leased buildings and 213,000 vehicles.
• GSA helps preserve our past and define our future, as a steward of more than 480 historic properties, and as manager of USA.gov, the official portal to federal government information and services.
• GSA’s mission to provide superior workplaces, expert technology solutions, acquisition services, purchasing and E-Gov travel solutions and management policies, at best value, allows federal agencies to focus on their core missions.

For more information visit www.nasa.gov and http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?pageTypeId=10430&P=&channelId=-24825&contentType=GSA_BASIC&contentId=28641