WASHINGTON — The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) released a request for information (RFI) seeking industry feedback on best practices in facility maintenance and operations to assist the agency with the development of a new Building Maintenance and Operations (BMO) services program, which includes HVAC and more.

This program is designed to incorporate federal strategic sourcing principles including improved operations management, small business support, and incorporation of government and private industry best practices. Through this request, GSA seeks recommendations about how cost and operations savings can be measured and achieved through a BMO-focused strategic sourcing solution, either by demand management strategies, better acquisition, or improved performance management.

In 2013, Building Maintenance and Operations was selected as one of five new commodity categories to be considered as a Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative (FSSI). GSA is currently developing a government-wide program designed to improve the way the federal government purchases and manages these types of services, which include HVAC, electrical, elevator, waste management, and more.

Small and local business utilization is a major focal point of the development of this building maintenance and operations program. The agency said it is committed to creating opportunities for small businesses.

“The federal government’s portfolio of building assets contains more than double the square footage of the top five U.S. commercial real estate companies combined,” said Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Tom Sharpe Jr. “This program has the opportunity to significantly change the way the government approaches the services used to maintain and operate its buildings and structures, saving money and streamlining processes.”

For more information, and access to the RFI document and submittal instructions, click here. The RFI response period will close on Jan. 17, 2014.

Publication date: 12/30/2013

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