President Orders Improvement to Federal Websites
April 27, 2011

President Obama’s recent executive order requires federal agencies to improve their websites in the next six months.
The order aims to streamline the more than 20,000 federal websites now in operation.  Agencies must come up with at least one signature change they can put into operation quickly.
The changes should help to improve the website’s interface with the general public, as well as cut expenses.
A recent survey of customer satisfaction with about 100 federal websites gave low and middling marks to several agency sites, but gave much higher marks to several specialty government sites, such as a benefits calculator offered by the Social Security Administration.

GSA and Sustainable Building Technologies
April 22, 2011

GSA has selected 16 sustainable building technologies that will be tested at a number of federal facilities throughout the country. If the technology can be replicated on a wider scale, it will be put into place in federal and commercial real estate properties nationwide.
A 2009 executive order required agencies to cut greenhouse gas emissions 28% by 2020; boost energy efficiency at facilities; and reduce the federal fleet's petroleum consumption. 
In 2010 GSA issued a Request for Information (RFI) for new sustainable building technologies and practices. Approximately 140 technologies were submitted, and 16 were short-listed for testing.
In fiscal 2011, GSA will test a wireless temperature sensor for heating and cooling; electro -chromic windows to control sunlight; a nonchemical water treatment system; and a more efficient condensing boiler.
Many of the technologies being installed as part of building modernization projects are funded by the 2009 Recovery Act.

GSA Updates Environmental Icons
April 2011

Early in 2011 GSA will begin to update the ‘green’ or ‘environmentally friendly’ icons it uses on its Advantage site. Certain icons will be deleted and others will be added, to align the icons more closely with the agency’s requirements to purchase sustainable products whenever possible.
For a complete listing go to the GSAs Vendor Support Center at https://vsc.gsa.gov and click on “Environmental Symbol Modernization”.