NIH (OD/OM/ORF Div. Environmental Protection) - Innovative Tools for Advance Sustainable Acquisition
CAPT Edward H. Rau, Innovation Projects Lead
LCDR Leo Gumapas, GHG Program Manager
Dr. Yang Fann, IT Director
Steve Breslin, Architect
Rajiv Chainani, Mechanical Engineer
Kieth Ashe, Branch Chief, Safety Engineering Activity
Dana Arnold, Division Director GSA Program Analysis Div
Michael Bloom, Program Advisor/SF Tool Manager
Sandra Britz, Program Analyst GSA
Katie Miller, Program Analyst/GPC Co-Manager GSA
"The Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) of the Office of Research Facilities at NIH has conceived and is leading development of sustainable acquisition innovation initiatives to concomitantly meet the health goals of the HHS Secretary’s Strategic Plan and Priorities, and the directives of Executive Order 13514 for federal agencies to apply their purchasing power to create markets for sustainable products and services. These ambitious, long term initiatives focus on two aspects of procurement policy and practice that were largely undeveloped: provisions for identifying and reducing procurement of products containing toxic, hazardous, polluting or unrenewable chemicals, referred to in our reduction initiative as Substances of Concern (SoC), and addressing unmet government-wide needs for user friendly, automated tools and systems to facilitate purchasing of healthier, more sustainable products, including those posing reduced chemical risks associated with SoCs.
These efforts are being carried out by small interagency teams of NIH employees working closely with their counterparts in the General Services Administration (GSA). While these initiatives are only in their earliest phases of implementation the unprecedented levels of collaboration established between the NIH and GSA teams have already produced a remarkable number of innovative sustainable acquisition tools that are now available for government-wide use."
NIH - Linwood Inscoe - Renovation of Building 16A
Linwood N. Inscoe, Project Officer Division of Design and Construction Management
"NIH Building 16A is located at 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland on the campus of the National Institutes of Health. The building, constructed circa 1930, is eligible for registration in the National Historic Register and therefore subject to federal preservation guidelines.
Prior to renovation Building 16A was unoccupied, had not been maintained for many years, and was in substantial disrepair. Building system problems included poor heating and cooling systems, substandard electrical service, lack of life safety systems, inadequate plumbing, and the presence of hazardous materials.
The renovation plan for Building 16A required a historically sensitive restoration that included infrastructure upgrades consistent with sustainability guidelines. In 2009, the project was selected for ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) funding. To demonstrate sustainability compliance it was registered as a LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) project and the design was developed to maximize building efficiency and minimize environmental impact.
Design development was completed in 2010. Construction began in 2011, with occupancy in October 2012. Mr. Inscoe managed the project from design to completion, and coordinated administrative requirements for the final LEED application through the summer of 2013. The project was awarded LEED Silver level certification, surpassing expectations and setting an example for future projects."
NIH - Green and Fit Retrofit at NIEHS
Debra D. Del Corral, Space Management Specialist NIEHS, Office of Management
Amanda D. Thompson, Interior Designer NIEHS, Office of Management
Joseph F. Seufert, Engineer NIH, OD, Office of Research Facilities
"A major renovation at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) combined sustainable design with improved employee fitness and health. NIEHS converted underutilized library space to house state-of-the art bioinformatics workspace, high-tech scientific training facilities, work-life resources and an employee fitness center.
Throughout the project, building materials were reused, furnishings were refurbished and reinstalled, metals materials were recovered and recycled, healthy paints, adhesives and finishes were applied, energy-efficient lighting and heating/cooling systems were installed, and water conserving fixtures were built in.
Overall construction costs were cut by 30-40% by eliminating multiple project phases. Other efficiencies saved at least $160,000. The project improved space utilization by eliminating passageways and optimizing layouts.
The Institute improved its ability to meet its emerging scientific mission in bioinformatics and scientific training, and saved hundreds of thousands of dollars. At the same time, NIEHS kept tons of material out of landfills, installed healthy and efficient materials and engineering systems, and promoted employee fitness and quality of life."