The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) recognized the need for an innovative approach to improve the sustainability of the design and construction for the New England Regional Laboratory for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They desired to have this project become a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Pilot Project. Their goal was to achieve, at a minimum, a bronze LEED rating. If the GSA was to thrill this customer on this project, additional sustainable design features, as well as energy conservation measures, (ECMs) needed to be identified, evaluated and if at all possible within budgetary constraints, incorporated into the final design.
The developer expressed an interest in cooperating to satisfy their needs. The “best and final offer” included many sustainable features, many of which were required by the Solicitation. Still, significant improvements were needed to achieve a bronze LEED rating. EPA identified AEC, as available through an interagency agreement, under contract to Department of Energy (DOE) to review and evaluate the proposed design. They would then propose potential energy savings opportunities as well as sustainable design features for consideration. They had to compress the process; everyone needed to be communicating. They needed a focused, cohesive team if they were to accomplish their goals within the limited timeframe available. They needed “GREENWORK – Teamwork to Generate A Renewable, Energy-Efficient, Environmental design Now. To improve communication they determined that the addition of an Internet based project web site to act as a central repository for all team members to exchange ideas and information would prove invaluable. Team members were identified, their roles and tasks were assigned and they are now on their way to a sustainable design and are anticipating a silver rating.
For more information, contact Mr. John Buckley at (617) 565-6207 or via e-mail at john.buckley@gsa.gov.
