An 11-B is a congressionally required study in which GSA reports to Congress regarding the housing needs of a specific locality. This study may or may not recommend a new project. If it does, then the need for the project must be justified through a study such as a Local Portfolio Plan or a Prospectus Development Study.
The AbilityOne Program is among the largest sources of employment in the U.S. for individuals who are blind or have significant disabilities. Established in 1938, the Program is administered by the U.S. AbilityOne Commission, an independent Federal agency whose statutory name is the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled. The Commission has designated National Industries for the Blind and SourceAmerica as central non-profit agencies to help administer the Program. The Commission consists of 15 Presidential appointees: 11 represent Federal agencies and four are private citizens representing people who are blind or have significant disabilities. The Commission's Strategic Plan provides the roadmap for accomplishing the Commission's priorities.
The National Environmental Policy Act requires that federal agencies prepare an EIS for major projects or legislative proposals that significantly affect the environment. It is a decision-making tool that describes the positive and negative effects of the undertaking and lists alternative actions. An EIS is a detailed study that leads to a Record of Decision. It records decisions made and mitigation measures that relate to the environmental impacts of a project.
The Allowance Document transfers the appropriated funds to the Region.
The A/E is the architecture/engineering firm selected to perform the design of a project.
The ABP is a document that provides all information, strategy, and long-term plans necessary to manage the business of operating and optimizing an asset. The GSA Asset Business Plan is a Web based asset management tool that provides building history and projections for many areas, including space and income, that are used to develop long-range strategies for the asset, reinvestment plans, and capital investment priorities.
The objective of a BPA is to fill anticipated repetitive needs for supplies and services for a federal buyer.
The Building Condition Assessment is done through a BER that documents the condition and deficiencies of a building. GSA will identify the BER work (called work items) that is to be addressed by the Prospectus Development Study (PDS). However, a PDS also must recognize other impacted work that may not be fully described in the BER work items or the Feasibility Study.
BOMA provides information to and a network forum for industry professionals.
Closed, but sometimes still referenced. The primary registrant database for the U.S. Federal Government. CCR collects, validates, stores and disseminates data in support of agency acquisition missions.
Under the National Environmental Policy Act, a CATEX is an action that normally does not require the preparation of an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement.
A Communications Plan identifies spokespersons for GSA, the customer agency, and stakeholders; schedules key communications to be disseminated in conjunction with project milestones; identifies potential issues; and includes strategies for responding to those issues.
All new construction and major renovations entail drawings created in a standard GSA format, with the help of computer-based programs such as CAD.
Connects to GSA Contracts Online which provides the ability to view/print all of the clauses and exceptions for the contract.
Under the Cooperative Purchasing Program, state and local government entities may purchase under a selective variety of GSA Schedules.
A Cost Benchmark is the cost model, based on real, similar facilities, used to evaluate project costs for a similar type of building.
The CBR is the mechanism that GSA uses to establish rent billing and is created through an Occupancy Agreement.
A unique nine-digit sequence recognized as the universal standard for identifying and keeping track of over 100 million businesses worldwide.
For projects that require significant architectural and engineering treatment, programming direction must reflect GSA’s commitment to Design Excellence. General design principles and philosophies are presented in the architecture and interior design chapter of the Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Handbook.
“Environmental Due Diligence” is a term that describes the responsibilities of a landowner, such as GSA, to conduct an appropriate inquiry prior to the purchase or development of a parcel of commercial real estate and ensure that all “recognized conditions” have been identified.
GSA eLibrary automatically checks to see if a contractor is found on the System for Award Management (SAM)/Excluded Parties List System (EPLS). If the contractor “is” found on the SAM/EPLS system, it is advised that you review the exclusion in SAM. Federal Acquisition Regulation, FAR 9.405-1 recognizes, in most cases, that customers should not place orders with Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contractors who are debarred, suspended, or proposed for debarment. Before soliciting offers, and placing orders under Federal Supply Schedule contracts, blanket purchase agreements, or basic ordering agreements, customers are reminded it is their responsibility to check the EPLS, https://www.epls.gov, for potential excluded parties. *FAR 9.405 hyperlink points to: http://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%209_4.html#wp1083348
The EA is a concise public document that is prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to determine whether a federal action would significantly affect the environment and thus require preparation of a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). It also briefly provides sufficient evidence and analysis for determining whether to prepare an EIS or a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI);
The P-100 is the primary GSA design criteria/standards document and is typically referenced for compliance in architecture/engineering firm contracts.
GSA uses this study to evaluate Prospectus-level proposed projects to ensure that they meet tenant agency space needs and government-owned facility requirements. This study also determines the preferred alternative and basis for preparing a Prospectus Development Study, which will meet the housing needs of the customer agency.
An ESA is a study of a property’s past use, the environmental conditions at the site and adjoining sites, and the likely presence of hazardous substances. An ESA can contribute to the “innocent landowner” defense under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. (CERCLA)
Congress sets aside funding for a project or a particular use.
Congress approves funding for a project or a particular use. (Funds must be authorized and appropriated before becoming available for a project.)
Large contracts through which federal customers can acquire more than products and services directly from a large number of approved contractors and suppliers.
Prices on the contract are not to change without going through a modification process, whereby your GSA Contracting Officer authorizes any price changes.
The Public Buildings Service General Construction Cost Review Guide, which is generally published yearly, provides costs to construct space by space type, escalation and location factors by localities, and a system for developing Cost Benchmarks.
An input document is a supporting document, study, or report used to complete the Feasibility Study.
Online shopping and ordering system includes supplies and services under all of the GSA Schedules.
See MAS.
An online Request for Quotation (RFQ) tool designed to facilitate the request for submission of quotations for a wide range of commercial supplies and services offered by GSA Schedule contractors who are on GSAAdvantage!®.
A product or service category which determines which Acquisition Center a prospective federal contractor will submit their GSA Contract to for approval.
GSA has adopted the LEED rating system of the U.S. Green Building Council as a measure for sustainable design. The P-100 and the Capital Investment and Leasing Program (CILP) require that all new and fully renovated building projects meet criteria for basic LEED Certification (higher levels of achievement are Silver, Gold, and Platinum). As of fiscal year 2003, all new and fully renovated buildings must meet a Silver LEED rating.
For specific questions about the contract or contractor, please call or email the person listed.
There is not a guarantee of any sales through the award of a GSA Contract. A GSA Contract simply establishes your company as having pre-negotiated prices (deemed fair and reasonable), and that you understand and agree to the relevant terms and conditions of the GSA Solicitation and FAR Clauses.
Collection mechanism of the GSA to re-coop costs to administer GSA Contracts on the government’s end. Also useful to track and monitor quarterly GSA sales.
Lease construction is new construction of a facility for government use in response to GSA’s formal solicitation for offers. The construction may be on either a preselected site assigned by GSA to the successful offeror or the offeror’s site.
The LPP is a document that provides the method for managing local portfolios and client needs within a specific locality. The LPP provides the basis for market considerations; long-term tenant needs; existing leased and owned facilities; and community considerations to make decisions related to markets, tenant housing, and hold/divest decision-making.
A long list is a list of all prospective sites considered in the site selection process.
The NOI describes the proposed action, possible alternatives, and the proposed NEPA scoping process. It states the name and address of a person within GSA who can answer questions about the proposed action and EIS.
An Occupancy Agreement is similar to a lease between GSA and each tenant agency in a building that establishes the rent and space assignment for each agency.
A consolidation of purchasing options involving many contractors where a federal buyer has the ability to view and correspond with contractors on an industry-based GSA Schedule.
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) assigned to the contract.
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business economy.
The investment pro forma analyzes the predicted return on investment and income potential of the project.
Closed, but sometimes still referenced. An e-Government initiative that was designed by the Integrated Acquisition Environment (IAE) to replace the paper based Representations and Certifications (Reps and Certs) process.
The POR defines the scope of the project and the tenant improvements or reimbursables associated with a project.
Negotiated discounts given to GSA compared to those offered to commercial customers (or MFC/BOA).
In prime/sub arrangements, the relationship is very tightly defined and controlled by the prime contractor.
The GSA project team performs a project evaluation, utilizing the Construction Industry Institute’s PDRI process, prior to submitting the Feasibility Study or Prospectus Development Study for funding a capital project. This process determines the Project Team’s effectiveness in preparing a quality submission and assures minimization of risks and mitigation of potential negative issues. This self-evaluation aids in determining areas of project development that may need additional work or study prior to the project’s submission for funding.
This is defined on the GSA/PBS website. For Project Management Plan requirements, visit their website.
The Prospectus is a formal document sent to the Office of Management and Budget and Congress to receive funding authorization. It includes project scope information, budget, and schedule, plus a housing plan. This, if approved, results in authorization letters from both the House and Senate that approve the project, whereas an appropriations bill actually funds the project.
The General Services Administration’s Public Buildings Service organization manages, owns, and constructs space for housing federal agencies.
The sites on the short list are the best candidates from the long list and are further evaluated to develop a recommendation for site acquisition. The short list typically includes three (3) sites.
The Office of the Chief Architect issues the Site Directive either after the President’s proposed Budget (which includes the Site Design and Prospectus) is submitted to Congress or after Congress approves and the President signs the Budget. With receipt of the Site Directive, Regions are authorized to begin formal site selection actions (and acquisition and professional services procurement actions) up to the point of award. The award is contingent upon project authorization and funding appropriation by Congress.
Issued by a contracting officer to gather information about a future purchase. Generally full of disclaimers that there is not an intent to buy.
Issued by a contracting officer with the intent to purchase,. Generally has a very detailed description of the products or services desired, and may suggest a meetiing time.
Replaced CCR and ORCA. “System for Award Management” – the Official U.S. Government system that consolidated the capabilities of CCR/FedReg, ORCA, and EPLS. There is no fee to register for this site.
STAR is GSA’s building inventory database for space management, leases, and rent billing.
The Transaction Screen (see ASTM E 1528-93, Environmental Site Assessments) is an inquiry process designed to meet CERCLA’s “innocent landowner” defense, but does not require the judgment of an environmental professional. It includes a questionnaire with guidelines for interviewing owners and occupants of a property, observing site conditions, and conducting limited research. Based on the results, the user can determine whether additional information is required, proceed to a Phase I ESA, or research other areas of concern. The same type of process can be applied to other lines of inquiry.
Displays the socio-economic indicators associated with the contractor at the time of contract award.
Subcategories within a Schedule.
The Work Plan is a key tool that the team can use to manage the site selection process. The Work Plan includes information relating to a project’s staff, schedule, scope, budget, approvals, controls, and communications.
Solicitation of business between the federal government and a contractor. Some terms and conditions allow for special concessions be offered at the task order level.
Under a Contractor Team Arrangement (CTA), two or more GSA Schedule contractors work together, by complementing each other’s capabilities, to offer a total solution to meet an ordering activity’s requirement.
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