GSA Seeks Innovative Clean Energy and Decarbonization Technologies for Federal Buildings

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy, has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to identify and implement innovative clean energy and decarbonization technologies in federal buildings. This initiative is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and involves a $30 million investment from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to enhance the sustainability of federal facilities.

On August 1, 2024, GSA and the Department of Energy announced the RFI aimed at increasing energy efficiency and decarbonization in commercial buildings. This effort will contribute to a more efficient electric infrastructure, improving resiliency and occupant health in federal buildings. The RFI is open for submissions until September 13, 2024.

GSA’s Center for Emerging Building Technologies will lead the testing of these innovative technologies through its three interconnected programs: the Green Proving Ground, the Applied Innovation Learning Lab, and Pilot to Portfolio. These programs will help GSA make smarter investments and encourage wider market adoption of clean energy innovations.

The RFI seeks to identify technologies in the following categories:
1. Deep Energy Retrofits
2. All-Electric Buildings and All-Electric Vehicle Fleets
3. Healthy and Resilient Buildings
4. Low-Embodied Carbon Building Materials
5. Net-Zero Operations
6. Packages of Emerging and Sustainable Technology Solutions

Selected technologies must be technically and commercially ready for evaluation in operational buildings. They will be piloted in federal facilities or through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Demonstrating Efficient Solutions in Buildings program for privately owned facilities.

GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan emphasized the role of public-private partnerships in expediting the adoption of emerging technologies, enhancing U.S. competitiveness, and generating jobs. “With 42% of emissions coming from the built environment, Inflation Reduction Act funding will be instrumental in achieving our net-zero emission goals for federal buildings,” said Carnahan.

Since 2011, GSA’s Green Proving Ground (GPG) program has evaluated 107 technologies, with 23 deployed across more than a third of GSA’s federally owned portfolio. These technologies have helped avoid the emission of 116,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually and save the government $28 million each year.

The Inflation Reduction Act provides $3.4 billion for GSA to promote the development and manufacturing of low-embodied carbon construction materials and enhance the sustainability of federal facilities. Through these investments, GSA aims to achieve a net-zero emissions federal building portfolio by 2045, potentially reducing operational greenhouse gas emissions by over 2 million metric tons of CO₂. This reduction is equivalent to removing approximately 500,000 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles from the road for one year.

The new regulations introduced by the GSA and the Department of Energy seek to integrate innovative clean energy and decarbonization technologies into federal buildings, significantly impacting the AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) industry. This initiative aims to enhance energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and improve the overall sustainability of federal facilities. By targeting deep energy retrofits, all-electric building systems, and low-embodied carbon materials, these regulations will drive the adoption of advanced technologies, fostering a market shift towards greener practices and thus will help the U.S. reach its climate targets, reducing operational greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to a net-zero emissions federal building portfolio by 2045.

For more information about the RFI and to submit an application, visit sam.gov at Solicitation #FY25RFI080124. Inquiries can be directed to gpg@gsa.gov. Learn more about GSA’s efforts and the Green Proving Ground program by visiting http://gsa.gov/gpg.