On April 29, EYP's Government Sector Leader Ed Kohlberg participated in the General Service Administration (GSA) Design Build Industry Roundtable at the American Institute of Architects Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The event was organized to review and improve upon the effectiveness of the GSA's design build program and to instill Design Excellence. An important part of the agency's plan is to award $5.5 billion of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to companies across the country to convert federal facilities into high-performance green buildings and construct energy-efficient federal buildings, courthouses and land ports of entry. Due to the aggressive funding mandates, the design build project delivery method has become increasingly popular.

"EYP's involvement in this roundtable reflects many years of partnering with GSA to improve the performance of their buildings and shape the public experience through design," said Kohlberg. "We're honored that we've been asked to be a part of GSA's plans to review and strengthen their design build program, while insuring Design Excellence."

Kohlberg, who in 2009 prepared a document of recommended improvements to the GSA including the design build program, for Commissioner of Public Buildings Bob Peck, participated in the roundtable as an industry advisor. He was joined at the roundtable by representatives from the GSA, other industry advisors (including peer reviewers) and individuals from GC and A/E companies.

In recent years, EYP has completed GSA projects including the Robert C. Byrd U.S. Courthouse, William S. Moorhead Federal Office Building and NOAA's new Satellite Operations Center (a joint venture with Morphosis). Current GSA projects include the modernization of the Birch Bayh FOB located in Indianapolis.