GSA Design & Construction Programs

Accessibility for the Disabled - GSA is committed to assuring that federal facilities are fully accessible to all Americans. The design of public buildings must meet accessiblity standards and practices outlined in the American for Disabilities Act.

Art in Public Buildings - The Public Buildings Service has two programs to manage public art in federal facilites: the Art in Architecture Program and the Fine Arts Program.

Border Station Center - Assists GSA Regional Offices and the Federal Inspection Services agencies with the management of the border station construction program, including strategic planning, budgeting, benchmarking, and design guidance.

Design Awards Program - The GSA Design Awards Program is held every two years to honor "the best of the best" of the federal projects designed and constructed by GSA.

Design Excellence Program - GSA manages architects and engineers to provide design for federal clients needing new workspace. In order to achieve top-quality design talent, GSA has instituted the Design Excellence Program, which includes a streamlined two-step architect/engineer selection process and the use of private sector peers to provide feedback to the architect/engineer of record.

Federal Courthouse Building Program - The Federal Government has embarked on the largest courthouse building program in 50 years, spurred by increasing space needs identified by the Federal Judiciary. To manage this challenging program, GSA created the Center for Courthouse Management to improve the management, oversight and delivery of all construction projects for new courthouses.

Fire Protection Engineering and Life Safety - GSA is responsible for all aspects of fire prevention and fire protection in GSA-owned and leased buildings.

Historic Preservation - Center for Historic Buildings - Provides technical support to GSA business lines, project planners, and field operations to cost effectively maintain, upgrade, and reuse historic properties in a manner that achieves federal stewardship goals.

Integrated Workplace - GSA promotes a comprehensive way to develop quality workspace that supports health, well-being and worker performance.

Security of Buildings - GSA conducts research and works to incorporate the latest technologies to improve the security of the federal workplace.

Seismic/Structural Engineering - GSA, in cooperation with private standard-setting organizations, code bodies, and professional associations, manages the development of national policies and standards for seismic and structural safety in federal buildings.

Sustainable Design - It is GSA's intent that sustainable design will be integrated as seamlessly as possible into the existing design and construction process. The following GSA documents now include sustainable design guidance: The Design Excellence Policies and Procedures and Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service.

GSA and LEED®
GSA will be utilizing the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Rating System as a goal in design criteria to help apply principles of sustainable design and development to our facilities projects. LEED® is a consensus-based, market-driven rating system that can serve both as criteria and as measurement for GSA building projects. Beginning in FY 2003 all new GSA building projects must meet criteria for basic LEED® certification. LEED® consists of a set of prerequisites and credits with specific requirements for obtaining points in order to become a LEED® Green Building.

GSA Federal Supply Service (FSS)
GSA facilitates the Federal acquisition of environmental products and services through the Federal Supply Service.

Urban Development - GSA actively seeks to leverage its federal real estate actions in ways that bolster community efforts to encourage smart growth, economic vitality, and cultural vibrancy. GSA offers communities and agencies a one-stop-shop and identifies opportunities tied to federal projects where GSA and communities can work together to make the most of the investment.

Value Engineering - PBS applies value engineering to new construction and major modernization projects. Value engineering practices are formally structured in the design phase and depend on contractor initiative in the construction phase. Applications are described in detail in the Value Engineering Program Guide for Design and Construction - PBS-PQ250.