IT upgrade expedites NLRB case processing

The General Services Administration Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) announced a $23 million investment to modernize the National Labor Relations Board case management system. The funding will enable the agency to replace its outdated hardware with an advanced, cloud-based solution, dramatically improving its ability to process labor disputes efficiently. In 2023, the NLRB processed over 22,000 cases and recovered more than…

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Energy Department powers promotion of low carbon construction materials

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) authors’ recognition of technology transfer hurdles and risk-averse specification tendencies in construction is evident in a slew of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office and National Laboratories initiatives supporting low carbon materials awareness and procurement. The DOE Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO) is eyeing a National Laboratory-led Cement and Concrete Center of Excellence to accelerate…

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GSA backs low embodied carbon material spec commitment

The General Services Administration has released a list of more than 150 federal building construction or upgrade projects across 39 states and District of Columbia where low embodied carbon (LEC) material specifications will be supported by $2 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding. Contract language will favor LEC material use, net estimated deliveries totaling:  The funding advances the Buy Clean…

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Contract-laden GSA calls for concrete, asphalt EPD submittals

A new U.S. General Services Administration standard targeting low embodied concrete on federal projects will require contractors to provide environmental product declarations (EPD), where available, from ready mixed suppliers. It compels procurement of concrete exhibiting production stage greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at levels 20 percent below national averages for compressive strength classes. EPDs express the GHG metric as global warming…

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Agencies issue proposed rule, guidance on contractor ‘Blacklisting’ EO

The federal agencies charged with implementing President Obama’s July 2014 Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order have released their much-anticipated proposed rule on this directive. The Department of Labor (DOL) issued a 106-page proposed guidance document, and the Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), issued a 131-page proposed rule, governing the terms of the so-called “Blacklisting” Executive Order (EO).

 
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LEED developers, critics content with GSA building rating system options

After a project design and contracting protocol review, the General Services Administration (GSA) is recognizing the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) 2009 green building rating system and Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes 2010 as third party certification standards.

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