Federal Independent Agencies
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from federal independent agencies.
Featured Stories
GSA Acquisition Policy Advisory Committee Welcomes New Members, Shifts Focus to Emerging Technology in Federal Procurement
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 -- The General Services Administration issued the following news release on Dec. 5, 2024:
Today, the U.S. General Services Administration's (GSA) Acquisition Policy Federal Advisory Committee (GAP FAC) convened its first public meeting of 2024 with a renewed area of focus and new committee members from diverse professional backgrounds. The meeting served as a platform to discuss strategic priorities for modernizing federal procurement processes and integrating emerging technologies into acquisition strategies.
The GAP FAC's mission is to modernize federal acquisition, addressing
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 -- The General Services Administration issued the following news release on Dec. 5, 2024:
Today, the U.S. General Services Administration's (GSA) Acquisition Policy Federal Advisory Committee (GAP FAC) convened its first public meeting of 2024 with a renewed area of focus and new committee members from diverse professional backgrounds. The meeting served as a platform to discuss strategic priorities for modernizing federal procurement processes and integrating emerging technologies into acquisition strategies.
The GAP FAC's mission is to modernize federal acquisition, addressingkey challenges while driving innovation and efficiency. The committee will emphasize integrating advanced technology -- including artificial intelligence, data analytics, cloud computing and cybersecurity -- into federal procurement processes to ensure adaptability in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
"GSA is ready to bring in emerging technologies and deliver solutions that meet the needs of government in this evolving landscape," said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. "This committee's invaluable expertise will help federal agencies use modern tools to drive innovation, improve efficiency and deliver better results for the American people."
The new members of the GAP FAC include leaders from academia, industry and government, bringing expertise in artificial intelligence, engineering, small business innovation and more.
* * *
Here are the new members:
Member name ... Affiliation
Abraham, Dorothea, Ph.D. ... Mason School of Business, William & Mary
Alderucci, Dean ... Carnegie Mellon University
Angulo, Tiffany ... State of California Department of Technology
Bitko, Gordon, Ph.D. ... Information Technology Industry Council (ITI)
Cooke, Tim, Ph.D. ... ASI Government, Inc.
Cornelius, Matthew ... Workday
Dotan, Ravit ... TechBetter
Ghaffari-Tabrizi, Omid ... Google
Graves, Margaret ... International Business Machine Corporation (IBM)
Johnson, Jared ... State of California Department of Technology
Keagle, James, Ph.D. ... Eisenhower School for National Security and Resources Strategy
Miller, Cari, Ph.D. ... Center for Inclusive Change
Moore, Lindsey ... DevelopMetrics
Tan, Adrianna ... Future Ethics
* * *
"This committee has a vital role in shaping the future of federal procurement," said GSA Senior Procurement Executive Jeffrey A. Koses in the Office of Government-wide Policy. "The work we're undertaking will not only improve how the federal government acquires goods and services, but will also ensure that procurement strategies remain adaptive and innovative in a rapidly changing technological landscape."
During the meeting, members discussed the following focus areas for 2025:
* Integrating emerging technologies: Using tools like AI and data analytics to enhance procurement efficiency and decision-making.
* Enhancing sustainability and forward-thinking practices: Embedding climate-conscious strategies into acquisition processes.
* Reducing procurement vulnerability: Addressing systemic challenges and risks in the acquisition ecosystem.
The GAP FAC operates under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), ensuring that its recommendations and deliberations are accessible to the public. Each meeting will be open to public attendance unless otherwise noted, and special accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities upon request.
* * *
About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing approximately $100 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA's mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.
* * *
About FACA: The Federal Advisory Committee Act was enacted in 1972 to ensure that advice by the various advisory committees formed over the years is objective and accessible to the public. Get more information on FACA, GSA's Legislation and Regulation (https://www.gsa.gov/node/82741) pages.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/newsroom/news-releases/gap-fac-welcomes-new-members-shifts-focus-to-emerging-tech-in-fed-procurement-12052024
NASA Shares Orion Heat Shield Findings, Updates Artemis Moon Missions
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- NASA issued the following news release:
Through the Artemis campaign, NASA will land the next American astronauts and first international astronaut on the South Pole region of the Moon. On Thursday, NASA announced the latest updates to its lunar exploration plans.
Experts discussed results of NASA's investigation into its Orion spacecraft heat shield after it experienced an unexpected loss of charred material during re-entry of the Artemis I uncrewed test flight. For the Artemis II crewed test flight, engineers will continue to prepare Orion with the heat shield already
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- NASA issued the following news release:
Through the Artemis campaign, NASA will land the next American astronauts and first international astronaut on the South Pole region of the Moon. On Thursday, NASA announced the latest updates to its lunar exploration plans.
Experts discussed results of NASA's investigation into its Orion spacecraft heat shield after it experienced an unexpected loss of charred material during re-entry of the Artemis I uncrewed test flight. For the Artemis II crewed test flight, engineers will continue to prepare Orion with the heat shield alreadyattached to the capsule. The agency also announced it is now targeting April 2026 for Artemis II and mid-2027 for Artemis III. The updated mission timelines also reflect time to address the Orion environmental control and life support systems.
"The Artemis campaign is the most daring, technically challenging, collaborative, international endeavor humanity has ever set out to do," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "We have made significant progress on the Artemis campaign over the past four years, and I'm proud of the work our teams have done to prepare us for this next step forward in exploration as we look to learn more about Orion's life support systems to sustain crew operations during Artemis II. We need to get this next test flight right. That's how the Artemis campaign succeeds."
The agency's decision comes after an extensive investigation of an Artemis I heat shield issue showed the Artemis II heat shield can keep the crew safe during the planned mission with changes to Orion's trajectory as it enters Earth's atmosphere and slows from nearly 25,000 mph to about 325 mph before its parachutes unfurl for safe splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
"Throughout our process to investigate the heat shield phenomenon and determine a forward path, we've stayed true to NASA's core values; safety and data-driven analysis remained at the forefront," said Catherine Koerner, associate administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "The updates to our mission plans are a positive step toward ensuring we can safely accomplish our objectives at the Moon and develop the technologies and capabilities needed for crewed Mars missions."
NASA will continue stacking its SLS (Space Launch System) rocket elements, which began in November, and prepare it for integration with Orion for Artemis II.
Throughout the fall months, NASA, along with an independent review team, established the technical cause of an issue seen after the uncrewed Artemis I test flight in which charred material on the heat shield wore away differently than expected. Extensive analysis, including from more than 100 tests at unique facilities across the country, determined the heat shield on Artemis I did not allow for enough of the gases generated inside a material called Avcoat to escape, which caused some of the material to crack and break off. Avcoat is designed to wear away as it heats up and is a key material in the thermal protection system that guards Orion and its crew from the nearly 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit of temperatures that are generated when Orion returns from the Moon through Earth's atmosphere. Although a crew was not inside Orion during Artemis I, data shows the temperature inside Orion remained comfortable and safe had crew been aboard.
Engineers already are assembling and integrating the Orion spacecraft for Artemis III based on lessons learned from Artemis I and implementing enhancements to how heat shields for crewed returns from lunar landing missions are manufactured to achieve uniformity and consistent permeability. The skip entry is needed for return from speeds expected for lunar landing missions.
"Victor, Christina, Jeremy, and I have been following every aspect of this decision and we are thankful for the openness of NASA to weigh all options and make decisions in the best interest of human spaceflight. We are excited to fly Artemis II and continue paving the way for sustained human exploration of the Moon and Mars," said Reid Wiseman, NASA astronaut and Artemis II commander. "We were at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida recently and put eyes on our SLS rocket boosters, the core stage, and the Orion spacecraft. It is inspiring to see the scale of this effort, to meet the people working on this machine, and we can't wait to fly it to the Moon."
Wiseman, along with NASA astronauts Victor Glover and Christina Koch and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, will fly aboard the 10-day Artemis II test flight around the Moon and back. The flight will provide valuable data about Orion systems needed to support crew on their journey to deep space and bring them safely home, including air revitalization in the cabin, manual flying capabilities, and how humans interact with other hardware and software in the spacecraft.
With Artemis, NASA will explore more of the Moon than ever before, learn how to live and work farther away from home, and prepare for future human exploration of the Red Planet. NASA's SLS, exploration ground systems, and Orion spacecraft, along with the human landing system, next-generation spacesuits, Gateway lunar space station, and future rovers are NASA's foundation for deep space exploration.
For more information about Artemis, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/artemis
***
Original text here: https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-shares-orion-heat-shield-findings-updates-artemis-moon-missions/
NASA Invites Media to Administrator Flight in Electra Hybrid-Electric Aircraft
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- NASA issued the following news release:
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson will fly in aircraft manufacturer Electra's EL2 Goldfinch experimental prototype aircraft on Sunday, Dec. 8. Members of the media are invited to speak with Nelson and Electra leaders just prior to the flight at 11:45 a.m. EST at Manassas Regional Airport in Manassas, Virginia.
Electra designed the experimental aircraft with the goals of reducing emissions and noise and connecting new locations for regional air travel, including underserved communities.
Media will be able to view and film the flight,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- NASA issued the following news release:
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson will fly in aircraft manufacturer Electra's EL2 Goldfinch experimental prototype aircraft on Sunday, Dec. 8. Members of the media are invited to speak with Nelson and Electra leaders just prior to the flight at 11:45 a.m. EST at Manassas Regional Airport in Manassas, Virginia.
Electra designed the experimental aircraft with the goals of reducing emissions and noise and connecting new locations for regional air travel, including underserved communities.
Media will be able to view and film the flight,which is set to feature ultra-short takeoffs and landings with as few as 150 feet of ground roll. The flight also is set to include a battery-only landing. Media interested in participating must RSVP to Rob Margetta at robert.j.margetta@nasa.gov.
NASA's aeronautics research works to develop new generations of sustainable aviation technologies that will create new options for both U.S. passengers and cargo. Agency-supported research aims to provide industry providers like Electra, and others, data that can help inform the designs of innovative, greener aircraft with reduced operating costs. NASA investments have included projects that explore electrified aircraft technologies, and work that helped refine the electric short-takeoff and landing concept.
The agency's work with private sector aviation providers helps NASA in its effort to bring sustainable solutions to the American public. In November, NASA selected Electra as one of five recipients of its Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability 2050 awards, through which they will develop design studies and explore key technologies to push the boundaries of possibility for next-generation sustainable commercial aircraft. These new studies will help the agency identify and select promising aircraft concepts and technologies for further investigations.
https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics
***
Original text here: https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-invites-media-to-administrator-flight-in-electra-hybrid-electric-aircraft/
Inter-American Development Bank Report Highlights Inclusion Policies for People With Disabilities in Latin America, Caribbean
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 (TNSres) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
A new report from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) examines inclusion policies for people with disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean, analyzing existing gaps and presenting evidence-based disability inclusion policies in the education, health, employment and social protection sectors.
The study "Seeds to Inclusion: What We Know and What We Don't Know about Disability Policy" (https://publications.iadb.org/en/seeds-inclusion-what-we-know-and-dont-know-about-disability-policy)
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 (TNSres) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
A new report from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) examines inclusion policies for people with disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean, analyzing existing gaps and presenting evidence-based disability inclusion policies in the education, health, employment and social protection sectors.
The study "Seeds to Inclusion: What We Know and What We Don't Know about Disability Policy" (https://publications.iadb.org/en/seeds-inclusion-what-we-know-and-dont-know-about-disability-policy)describes the situation of people with disabilities based on an analysis of recent household surveys, reviews the regional landscape of public policies on the issue, and evaluates the evidence of inclusion policies.
"This report offers a rigorous review of the evidence on the effectiveness of disability inclusion policies and programs in Latin America and the Caribbean and around the world, providing a solid basis for decision-making on programs to be expanded or piloted in the region," said Eric Parrado, chief economist and general manager of the IDB's Research Department.
* * *
Disability in the Region
Household surveys show that one in seven people has a disability, a proportion that increases with age. Considering the regional population's accelerated aging, the number of people with disabilities is expected to increase to 150 million by 2050.
On the other hand, most children with disabilities in the region attend and complete elementary school. However, gaps persist, particularly at higher levels, and inclusive education remains elusive in most countries.
While most children with disabilities in the region attend and complete primary school, gaps persist, particularly at the higher levels. Effective implementation of inclusive education remains a regional challenge.
In terms of health, people with disabilities have greater medical needs. Although access to health insurance does not differ greatly between people with and without disabilities, according to household surveys, the former spend a larger share of their budget on health expenses and face accessibility barriers.
In the workplace, most working-age adults with disabilities are employed (56.4%-68.0%). However, they are more likely to hold informal jobs and make 88 cents for every dollar earned by their peers without disabilities with the same experience and education.
Similarly, households with members with disabilities are 5.7 percentage points more likely to be in the lowest two income quintiles than households with no members with disabilities.
* * *
What the evidence says
The publication highlights successful policies being implemented in the region, such as vocational training to promote employment and interventions that support inclusion in education, including resource classrooms and grants to fund assistive devices.
It also mentions effective policies implemented in other regions of the world but not in Latin America and the Caribbean. Causal evidence from other regions suggests that policies such as the presence of co-teachers or assistants can facilitate the learning of students with and without disabilities in inclusive classrooms. These practices stand out as possible pilots in the region.
The report also identifies important knowledge gaps that hinder formulation of effective policies. Numerous interventions with sound theories of change are commonly implemented in the region, but lack rigorous evidence on their impact. These interventions range from skills upgrading and training programs for employers in labor markets, to personal assistance programs and accessibility interventions in health and social protection. While these policies are considered promising, more robust evidence is needed to guide policymakers.
* * *
Research Priorities Survey
The report also includes the results of an accessible online survey conducted with the help of organizations of people with disabilities in the region. The survey inquired what should the priorities of research on inclusion policies be.
Most respondents indicated that the focus should be on research in the education sector, in particular on inclusion of children with and without disabilities in regular schools.
* * *
About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is devoted to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the IDB works with the region's public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging financing, technical expertise and knowledge, it promotes growth and well-being in 26 countries. Visit our website
https://www.iadb.org/en.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/idb-report-highlights-inclusion-policies-people-disabilities-latin-america-and-caribbean
Intellectual Property: Information on Third-Party Funding of Patent Litigation
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 (TNSrep) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
Here are excerpts:
* * *
Fast Facts
If someone infringes on your patent, you can sue--if you can afford millions of dollars in legal fees.
Or you can use "third-party litigation funding," which is when an unrelated company pays for the lawsuit in exchange for some of the proceeds if the case succeeds.
A substantial proportion of patent lawsuits are estimated to be funded this way. Most plaintiffs aren't required to disclose third-party funding. Many funders and experts told us they're open to
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 (TNSrep) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report:
Here are excerpts:
* * *
Fast Facts
If someone infringes on your patent, you can sue--if you can afford millions of dollars in legal fees.
Or you can use "third-party litigation funding," which is when an unrelated company pays for the lawsuit in exchange for some of the proceeds if the case succeeds.
A substantial proportion of patent lawsuits are estimated to be funded this way. Most plaintiffs aren't required to disclose third-party funding. Many funders and experts told us they're open tosuch a requirement, citing pros and cons. For example, knowing how much funding is available to plaintiffs may motivate defendants to settle quickly, but might give them an unfair advantage.
Highlights
What GAO Found
Patent owners can pursue litigation in federal courts if others use their inventions without permission (known as patent infringement). Because patent infringement lawsuits can cost millions of dollars, some patent owners rely on third-party litigation funding. This funding involves an arrangement in which someone who is not named in a lawsuit provides funding to a plaintiff (typically the patent owner) or law firm in exchange for a portion of the proceeds from the lawsuit if it is successful.
Patent litigation funders GAO interviewed identified multiple factors that inform their decision on whether to invest in a particular patent lawsuit. One funder told GAO they prefer cases in which a patent owner shared information about an invention with another company that then used the invention without permission, as this scenario can be compelling to a jury. Funders also said they look to fund lawsuits with strong patents that are not likely to be invalidated during the litigation. Funders use various arrangements to fund patent litigation (see figure). According to stakeholders and GAO's analysis of funding agreements, some funders require that they receive two to three times their investment before the patent owner receives any proceeds from a successful lawsuit.
Examples of Patent Litigation Funding Arrangements
Third-party funded patent litigation has increased significantly since 2019 and now accounts for a substantial proportion of all patent litigation, according to stakeholders GAO spoke with and industry estimates. Most large technology companies GAO interviewed said that more than half of all patent infringement lawsuits filed against them had confirmed or suspected third-party funding. Most of these companies said they typically have dozens of lawsuits filed against them each year.
Stakeholders GAO interviewed noted multiple benefits associated with third-party funding of patent litigation. For example, funders and other stakeholders GAO spoke with said third-party funding allows resource-constrained patent owners, such as small companies, to file patent infringement lawsuits that they otherwise could not have filed. University officials and inventors told GAO this funding option is important because, from their perspective, fewer law firms are taking cases under a contingency fee arrangement due to the unique costs and risks of patent litigation.
Stakeholders also identified several challenges associated with third-party funding. Technology companies told GAO that the patents associated with many of these third-party-funded cases have weak infringement claims, and that the companies must incur legal defense costs even though they say these patents are likely to be invalidated. In addition, third-party funders may complicate settlement negotiations, contributing to longer settlement times, according to technology companies, mediators, and a judge GAO interviewed. However, funders GAO interviewed said they structure their funding agreements to allow the plaintiff to settle at any time and to generally incentivize early settlement.
Many stakeholders GAO spoke with, including some funders, were open to some requirements that would mandate that plaintiffs disclose to parties involved in a lawsuit whether the plaintiffs have received third-party funding, given the limited public data on third-party funding.
Stakeholders identified multiple benefits of disclosure requirements, such as:
Identifying conflicts of interest. Several technology companies and other stakeholders GAO interviewed said that disclosure requirements could help judges determine whether they have a conflict of interest, such as a financial interest in a company involved in a lawsuit.
Identifying foreign involvement. Several stakeholders said disclosure requirements may shed light on whether a foreign entity is involved in patent litigation. Some stakeholders said foreign funding might be a strategy to undermine U.S. companies.
Facilitating case resolution. Several stakeholders said that knowing whether a third party is funding a patent infringement case may motivate defendants to pursue settlements, knowing that the plaintiff has ample resources for a lengthy legal battle.
At the same time, stakeholders GAO interviewed identified multiple concerns with disclosure requirements, such as:
Relevance to litigation. Several stakeholders, including multiple funders and district court judges, said that disclosure of the third-party funding is not relevant to the patent litigation and could distract from the merits of the case.
Potential biasing of litigation. Several stakeholders, particularly law firms and funders, said that if disclosure requirements were to include sharing the amount of third-party funding, it may be overly advantageous to defendants because it would reveal the extent of their opponents' financial resources.
Burden on court system. Several stakeholders, including two funders and two district court judges, said that disclosure requirements could increase the cost and length of litigation. For example, it could create additional burdens on the court system, which would need to collect and review the disclosures.
Why GAO Did This Study
Patents grant inventors exclusive rights to their inventions for a limited time. To protect these rights, some patent owners have turned to third-party litigation funding to help cover the high costs of patent litigation. Patent litigation can be particularly costly and risky because even after significant investment in filing a patent lawsuit, the patent itself can be invalidated by a court. The high risks and costs of patent litigation have made it an attractive investment opportunity for third-party funders, who provide capital to support litigation in exchange for a share of the potential proceeds.
Some stakeholders have raised questions about the extent of third-party patent litigation funding and the associated economic impacts. Most courts do not require disclosure of such funding arrangements. Thus, publicly available data on litigation funders and third-party financing arrangements remain limited. Some stakeholders have raised questions about how this limited disclosure affects transparency in the judicial process. GAO has reported on the use of third-party funding across litigation more broadly in Third-Party Litigation Financing: Market Characteristics, Data, and Trends (GAO-23-105210).
GAO was asked to review recent developments in third-party funding of patent litigation. This report describes selected funders' perspectives on factors that influence patent litigation funding decisions. It also provides information on the extent of patent litigation funding, as estimated by data GAO reviewed and stakeholders GAO interviewed, and challenges in determining the extent of such funding. This report also describes the perspectives of selected stakeholders on the legal and economic effects of patent litigation funding.
GAO conducted semi-structured interviews with selected entities with knowledge of recent developments in third-party funding of U.S. patent litigation. GAO interviewed patent litigation funders, large technology companies, research universities, law firms, district court judges, mediators, individual inventors, and other industry stakeholders.
GAO reviewed 12 patent litigation cases suspected of being third-party funded, and through a search of publicly available information, identified challenges in determining whether these cases were indeed third-party funded. GAO also reviewed selected studies by academic researchers and government agencies. Additionally, GAO reviewed patent litigation funding agreements, financial reports from publicly traded patent litigation funders, and industry estimates of third-party funding in patent litigation.
For more information, contact Candice N. Wright at (202) 512-6888 or WrightC@gao.gov.
***
Original text here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-107214
GSA Accelerates Efforts to Right-Size Federal Real Estate With Plans for 1.5M Sq. Ft. in Reductions, More Than $475M in Cost Avoidance to Taxpayers
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- The General Services Administration issued the following news release on Dec. 4, 2024:
* * *
GSA announces first step in disposition process for eight properties in its federal real estate portfolio
* * *
Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the decision to begin the disposition process for eight properties, accelerating its efforts to right-size and modernize the federal buildings portfolio.
Today's announcement represents a potential reduction of 1.5 million square feet and more than $475 million in estimated cost avoidance over 10 years.
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- The General Services Administration issued the following news release on Dec. 4, 2024:
* * *
GSA announces first step in disposition process for eight properties in its federal real estate portfolio
* * *
Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the decision to begin the disposition process for eight properties, accelerating its efforts to right-size and modernize the federal buildings portfolio.
Today's announcement represents a potential reduction of 1.5 million square feet and more than $475 million in estimated cost avoidance over 10 years.This is the first step in GSA's disposal process, under which the properties could be transferred, exchanged, or sold to a federal, state, or local entity or the public after robust input and engagement with stakeholders. Combined with the disposition projects announced last year and three additional properties announced earlier this year, including Joe L. Evins Federal Building in Oak Ridge, TN, Liberty Loan in Washington, D.C. and Peachtree Summit Federal Building in Atlanta, GA, the successful disposition of these buildings will reduce GSA's inventory by over 6 million square feet and provide a cost avoidance of over $1.8 billion over 10 years. Where feasible, these properties could be redeveloped into housing, fulfilling a key pillar of the Biden-Harris Administration's Housing Supply Action Plan.
GSA continues to work to optimize the federal portfolio. Their efforts would be further accelerated if GSA had full access to the Federal Buildings Fund, which would allow GSA to further reduce its reliance on costly leases and move underutilized and underperforming assets out of the federal portfolio. These combined efforts would help increase occupancy in federally owned assets, reduce the overall federal footprint, and provide significant taxpayer savings.
"GSA is committed to right-sizing and optimizing the federal buildings portfolio in ways that benefit local communities while saving taxpayer dollars," said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. "The actions we're announcing today demonstrate our commitment to accelerating the disposition of federal buildings that don't use taxpayer dollars effectively - and the opportunity to do even more with full access to the Federal Buildings Fund."
The eight properties that will begin the disposition process are:
* Montpelier Federal Building - Montpelier, VT.
* Brickell Plaza Building - Miami, FL.
* Charles A. Halleck Federal Building - Lafayette, IN.
* Bismark Federal Building - Bismarck, ND.
* James V. Hansen Federal Building - Ogden, UT.
* Gus J. Solomon U.S. Courthouse - Portland, OR.
* Richard B. Anderson Federal Building - Port Angeles, WA.
* Federal Office Building, 301 7th Street SW - Washington, D.C.
Today's announcement builds on GSA's record of driving efficiencies and savings throughout its portfolio. Over the past decade, GSA has helped to reduce the footprint of tenant agencies housed in office buildings under GSA's custody and control by disposing of almost 11 million square feet of federally owned space and reducing almost 18 million square feet of leased space.
GSA also assists other landholding agencies in divesting their real property portfolios. Since 2015, over 1,000 properties have been divested by GSA on behalf of the executive branch, reducing over 24 million square feet of federally owned space. These property dispositions have returned over $2 billion to American taxpayers.
"Moving underutilized and underperforming assets out of the building portfolio allows us to tailor a smaller federal footprint with modern and optimized buildings, which will lead to better buildings," said GSA's Public Buildings Commissioner Elliot Doomes. "GSA's robust process includes ongoing dialogue with stakeholders to help maximize the benefits of these buildings' futures, resulting in stronger communities."
GSA will work closely with customer agencies whose spaces are affected by disposition decisions to plan and budget for relocation. These decisions aim to ensure agency workforces have safe, comfortable, and efficient workspaces that empower employees, advance agency missions, and use taxpayer dollars responsibly.
Stakeholder engagement is a key component of the disposition process. GSA will engage with local communities and officials to keep them informed throughout the process and to better understand their economic development and employment goals and initiatives. These conversations will inform GSA's process and help ensure these properties are placed back into productive reuse.
GSA is continuing its efforts to identify and market surplus federal properties that represent the best opportunities for residential development, including continuing to convene developers, municipalities, and other stakeholders to learn about opportunities and challenges.
* * *
About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing over $100 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA's mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/newsroom/news-releases/gsa-accelerates-efforts-to-rightsize-federal-real-estate-12042024
EPA Fines Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America for Alleged Violations of Multiple Environmental Laws in Eddyville, Iowa
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
LENEXA, KAN. (DEC. 4, 2024) - Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America Inc. will pay $458,265 in civil penalties and install protections to contain releases of hazardous chemicals to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act and Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know-Act (EPCRA) at its facilities in Eddyville, Iowa.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the facilities were inspected by the Agency after hazardous chemical releases prompted evacuations and
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
LENEXA, KAN. (DEC. 4, 2024) - Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America Inc. will pay $458,265 in civil penalties and install protections to contain releases of hazardous chemicals to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act and Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know-Act (EPCRA) at its facilities in Eddyville, Iowa.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the facilities were inspected by the Agency after hazardous chemical releases prompted evacuations andcommunity shelter-in-place orders. A release of hydrochloric acid occurred in 2021, followed by a 2022 chlorine gas release that resulted in employee injuries. Chlorine gas is a hazardous chemical that has a pungent, irritating odor and can be fatal when inhaled or lead to chronic lung conditions as a result of exposure.
"Ajinomoto's operations presented a significant risk to its workers and the surrounding community," said EPA Region 7 Enforcement and Compliance Division Director David Cozad. "This settlement, including the installation of an anhydrous ammonia containment system, will reduce the risk to workers and residents."
Ajinomoto owns and operates two amino acid manufacturing facilities, one specializing in food and beverage industries and the other in animal nutrition. The facilities utilize a number of chemicals in their processes, including anhydrous ammonia, hydrochloric acid, and phosphoric acid. EPA identifies these chemicals as "extremely hazardous substances" because they are known to cause serious adverse effects to the environment and/or human health, including injury and death.
As outlined in the settlement, EPA alleges that Ajinomoto violated multiple legal requirements, including:
* Failure to identify hazards that may result from releases of hazardous substances.
* Failure to design and maintain safe facilities by failing to take steps necessary to prevent hazardous substance releases.
* Failure to adequately complete hazardous analyses to detect potential releases of hazardous substances and address hazards.
* Failure to comply with mechanical integrity requirements to prevent releases.
* Failure to adequately coordinate with local emergency planning and response organizations to make them aware of the chemicals used at the facilities and the risks presented.
* Failure to report the use of hazardous chemicals at the facility to local response authorities.
In addition to paying the civil penalty, Ajinomoto also agreed to install an ammonia water deluge system at one of its facilities at a cost of about $227,589. EPA says the project will contain and reduce the potential for anhydrous ammonia releases to the environment in the surrounding area. Further, Ajinomoto conducted a compliance audit at its facilities to evaluate and address any outstanding noncompliance with federal law.
Facilities that use hazardous, toxic, and/or flammable substances are required to comply with the Clean Air Act. The law's "General Duty Clause" makes facility owners and operators responsible for managing chemicals safely. The law's Risk Management Plan Rule requires facilities that use regulated toxic and/or flammable substances to develop a Risk Management Plan.
These plans identify the potential effects of a chemical accident; identify steps a facility is taking to prevent an accident; and spell out emergency response procedures should an accident occur. The plans also provide valuable information to local fire, police, and emergency response personnel to prepare for and respond to chemical emergencies in their community.
EPCRA has reporting requirements for facilities that manage hazardous chemicals that help communities plan for chemical emergencies and inform the public about potential risks.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-fines-ajinomoto-health-nutrition-north-america-inc-alleged-violations-multiple
