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PBS’s Office of Portfolio Management and Customer Engagement offers free “virtual classroom” webinars to help inform our Federal customers about workplace initiatives, real property policies/processes and value-added services. Continuous Learning Points are available.
Upcoming presentations
Session name and date
Description
eRETA digest Nov. 7, 2024 2-3:30 p.m. Eastern time
The RWA Entry and Tracking Application is the official tool for submitting work requests and digitally signed reimbursable work authorizations to our agency. Our eRETA digest session offers a soup to nuts overview — from gaining system access to managing and closing out your reimbursable program with greater transparency and efficiency.
With a slide presentation and live on-air demonstration — get comfortable with the electronic process and program and learn how to get the support you need to start successfully using eRETA today!
Have more questions? Need more answers? Visit our eRETA page and go to the frequently asked questions on the left navigation bar, where you’ll find an extensive list of FAQs on eRETA and other RWA topics.
Target audience is all federal employees who are engaged in the development, planning, budgeting, tracking and funds management of reimbursable projects.
Session level is intermediate — a background on reimbursable work authorization processes is recommended, but access to eRETA is not required.
This session will be hosted in our FedRAMP-compliant Zoom for Government platform.
Water quality management — Fall update Nov. 19, 2024 1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
We continue to execute our water quality management program — testing our federal facilities, communicating results to our customers, and instituting quality controls to ensure the safety of the tenants and visitors to our buildings.
Join this session for an update on our progress, resources, and engagement opportunities.
Briefing Topics
Current status of our Water Quality Management Program
Updated guidelines, communications and signage implementation
A review of the Water Quality Management Dashboard
Target audience is all federal customers with real estate, facilities management, environmental health or industrial hygiene roles.
Session level is beginner — no specialized expertise in the topic area is required.
A conversation on hybrid work and sustainability Dec. 5, 2024 2-3:30 Eastern time
The topic of hybrid work continues to prompt a continuous review of available data, emerging trends and active research into its impact on the federal workforce, our missions, and our environment.
This session would discuss the sustainability implications from hybrid work, beginning by stepping back to look holistically at the environmental impacts of hybrid working – and will then dive into greater detail on the sustainability features and background calculations introduced during our July 9, 2024 session on our workspace planning tool, WIFM 3.0 — the Sustainability Edition.
Our event will be part presentation and part panel format, featuring professional expertise from industry leading organizations, AECOM and Noblis, moderated by our PBS Center for Integrated Solutions.
Target audience is all federal employees with roles in occupancy planning, workplace design and / or sustainability and climate performance initiatives and metrics.
Session level is intermediate — a working knowledge of the subject area is recommended.
RWA policy and process fundamentals Jan. 9, 2025 1-3 p.m. Eastern time
If you’ve taken one (or more) of our recurring eRETA Digest classes — you’ve become familiar with the application that supports development of work requests which may become fully funded RWAs — reimbursable work authorizations. This PBS multi-billion dollar program supports the federal community with a myriad of above-standard (beyond your rent) critical projects and services.
At our session, we’ll be offering an overview of the foundational policies and processes that govern the reimbursable services program. So if you’re new to this type of work between your agency and PBS, or want to brush up on the latest changes, this session is for you!
Target audience is all federal employees engaged in the development and execution of real estate projects with our agency.
Session level is basic — no specialized knowledge is required.
This session will be hosted via our FedRAMP-compliant Zoom for Government platform and will be recorded.
Past sessions
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Date
Session name
Description
Recording, slides and Q&A
2024/10/24
Conversational contracting
Learn the basic elements of contracting and the roles and responsibilities of project team members in the acquisition process.
An overview of Electric Vehicles and supply equipment and new contracting tools to support your EV fleet. Policies and guidance for EVs in both GSA owned and commercially leased space.
Hear about the features and benefits of federal co-working and workplace engagements, and learn how to use our inventory of owned and leased properties to help develop your workplace requirements.
Online leasing tools: changing the way we do business
GSA’s Automated Advanced Acquisition Platform (AAAP) and the Requirement Specific Acquisition Platform (RSAP) accelerate lease cycle time and change the way we do business.
This introductory course provides customers with an overview of a Project Life Cycle; including Identification, Initiation, Planning, Execution and Closeout.
In this session, we’ll focus in on the process of cost estimating for projects of all sizes to bring awareness to the similarities and complexities each project entails. Come to this session to learn about the “art” and the “science” of cost management.
Oct. 15, 2020 What goes into my agency’s rent estimate?
The annual GSA rent estimate provides our customers with a base to develop the space budget request. It is a snapshot of what the future cost of currently billing space will be.
In this session we will go over how the rent estimate is formulated, with specific focus on the data used to calculate the future rent. We will discuss the application of appraisal data in Federally owned space and leasing data in leased space.
Customers will be presented with the basics of the PBS pricing policy for space and services. They will be informed about customer-impacting updates incorporated in the current PBS Pricing Guide, 5th Edition. At this session — you will be introduced to the components and bases of your rent, learn about tiers, tenant improvement and customization allowances, etc.
Mar. 19, 2020 GSA’s capital investment program & the prospectus process
This session will cover “A day (several years) in the life” of a prospectus level capital program project — from identification of need and development of the project at the regional level; to its submission to, evaluation of and integration into GSA’s budget at the Central Office level; and it travels through OMB and Congress.
As a customer in GSA space, both Federally owned and leased, you’ll likely find yourself in need of occasional services which are beyond the standard levels included via your monthly agency rent bill. Working together with your GSA representative to describe your needs, we can help you estimate these costs, establish the right payment vehicle, and get the services you need to keep your operations running smoothly for your staff and your clients. Come to this session to understand when overtime utilities and agency program equipment costs are incurred, how we estimate them, what options there are for billing, and even what you might do to help mitigate these costs through the pursuit of projects to handle your special needs more effectively.
July 24, 2023 It’s easy being green — PBS National Customer Forum
A presentation from experts in three different areas of environment and sustainability, featuring GSA’s sustainable facilities tool, key aspects of green leasing and electric vehicle supply and equipment.
GSA is aggressively working toward the administration’s goal of achieving a net-zero buildings portfolio by 2045. We have as an agency already reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by over 50% since 2008. We are now tackling decarbonization, sustainability, and climate risk requirements through the historic investments from the bipartisan infrastructure law and inflation reduction act. This transformation will require unprecedented partnership and collaboration on best practices with both industry and customers. Celebrate Earth Day by coming to this session to learn how GSA is moving forward and the ways we can help your agency fulfill its role in achieving net zero.
GSA will provide an overview of recent executive orders and federal fleet electrification initiatives as well as share information on the electric vehicle supply and equipment blanket purchase agreement, the recently awarded design/build EVSE Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract and EV best practices.
Executive order 14057 requires that the GOV fleet be 100 percent zero-emission vehicle acquisitions by 2035, including 100 percent zero-emission light-duty vehicle acquisitions by 2027. This session will discuss steps that GSA has taken to assist in electric vehicle supply equipment infrastructure projects. from the BPA that FAS has developed to allow direct procurement of charging devices and services to the nation-wide Design-Build IDIQ that PBS has awarded to allow for physical installation projects to proceed forward.
GSA has built a robust capacity to manage your lease portfolio needs by bringing in a cadre of commercial brokers to supplement our in-house expertise. Our broker partners have helped us successfully execute many projects for customers of diverse requirements in markets of all sizes in every corner of the country. During our session — we’ll review the features and benefits of our broker contract services to show you how this resource can be brought to bear to support your agency’s lease procurement needs. As we begin to build a new broker contract scope to better serve your needs in the future, we’d like time to reflect upon your feedback. If your agency has experience with our broker services, we’d like to hear from you about your insights, ideas, concerns and perspectives of the broker contract. Help shape the future contract by responding to questions about your broker services experience via our registration form — we’ll discuss observations and themes with our session audience.
When disaster strikes, whether man-made or mother nature inspired, your PBS leasing team has the tools to help you expediently reconstitute your operations in leased space.
Mar. 8, 2022 Online leasing tools: changing the way we do business
GSA’s Lease Offer Platform consists of two online leasing tools – the Automated Advanced Acquisition Platform and the Requirement Specific Acquisition Platform. Join GSA to learn how these tools are accelerating lease cycle time and changing the way we do business.
Sep. 16, 2021 Leasing’s GLS Plus: private sector experience, public sector value
The PBS Office of Leasing’s Center for Broker Services presents GLS Plus.
GSA Leasing Support Services Plus is a group of nine contracts awarded across the nation to provide broker and leasing support services for GSA’s lease contracting officers. GLS Plus enhances our Federal clients’ experience by leveraging commercial real estate broker expertise to deliver workspace solutions, greater innovation, and maximum client and taxpayer savings.
Join us for a discussion on the key features of the GLS Plus contract:
A perennial CES audience favorite, this session provides an introduction to PBS’s leasing services and offerings.
From requirements development to lease acquisition and construction to occupancy, customers will learn the basics behind GSA leasing practices and processes and our joint responsibilities for a successful lease project.
May 16, 2019 GSA’s lease analysis tool — should I stay or should I go?
As your occupancy nears the end of the lease term - you and your PBS partners are faced with making critical decisions about your future housing needs. Is staying in place desirable and a potential option? What factors will the contracting officer typically consider when deciding whether to consider a succeeding lease procurement?
This session will focus on succeeding lease procurements and how the succeeding/superseding lease analysis tool is used by GSA PBS to help us present you with the best procurement strategy to meet your new workspace requirements.
Feb. 26, 2019 Service expectations in GSA Federally owned and leased buildings
Whether your agency space is in a GSA Federally-owned or commercially leased location, understand what services you should expect to receive during your occupancy.
Learn how GSA manages Federal space through an overview of the standard services; as well as the programs, tools and procedures that support facility management and ensure tenant satisfaction.
Recognize the differences between standard and above standard services - what is included in your rent versus when supplemental reimbursable funding will be required. For leased locations, learn about current lease management program efforts and the Lease Management Customer Guide, which highlights the Lease Administration Manager’s roles and responsibilities to serve you and protect the government’s interests throughout the life of the lease.
These events are specifically geared to agency-designated OASIS ordering officials. It’s here! PBS has transitioned from our former Occupancy Agreement tool to a new OA application — the Occupancy Agreement and Space Inventory System.
Aug. 31, 2023 CES special events - PBS Oasis live!
These events are specifically geared to agency-designated OASIS ordering officials. It’s here! PBS has transitioned from our former Occupancy Agreement tool to a new OA application - the Occupancy Agreement and Space Inventory System.
July 24, 2023 PBS Oasis: coming soon - PBS National Customer Forum
A presentation from our pricing policy and tools expert on the conversion to OASIS, what it means for customers, gaining access, new procedures for occupancy agreement preparation/approval and release of space requests and related pricing policy changes.
GSA is launching a new occupancy agreement and space inventory system which includes a customer agency component. Once live, customers will approve their occupancy agreements, submit releases of space, and view their rent information in the system.
Sep. 8, 2022 Policy and process changes for occupancy agreements
If you are involved in the development, approval, or audit processes for your organization’s occupancy agreements with GSA, and you missed our April 5th session, this encore presentation of our introduction to the OASIS tool is for you.
March 18, 2021 Introduction to occupancy agreements
This introductory course provides customers with the basics about Occupancy Agreements. Attendees will learn how OAs differ from leases; the components/sections of an OA; why GSA requires tenant agencies to sign these agreements; and how OAs differ when space is leased versus federally-owned.
Oct. 21, 2021 The ABC’s of GSA’s Public Buildings Service
From requirements gathering for your space actions to occupying your space, this is your chance to familiarize yourself with the Public Buildings Service and meet some of our Subject Matter Experts from several business lines.
Feeding directly from source systems, the PBS customer dashboard allows customers to access current data related to projects, RWAs, occupancies, locations, and rent. We’ll review the current functionality and highlight a new tab — My locations. My locations provides customers with information about your agency’s locations, including building details, space types, and lists of OAs for each location. You can also identify building type, historic status, CBSA, and other important building/location information.
Dec. 10, 2019 Customer dashboard puts PBS data at your fingertips
Have you ever wondered what’s going on with your office alterations project? Or how much have you spent in overall rent last year? Well, get the answers and more by accessing our online PBS Customer Dashboard. See a demonstration of the easy to use tool that puts your key PBS data at your fingertips. View summary information, or drill down into specifics on your Projects, Occupancies, RWAs, and Rent. We’ll explain the access request process, and provide resources that will allow you to confidently navigate the PBS Customer Dashboard on your own to meet your agency’s project and financial management needs.
Sep. 15, 2022 Kahua users klub
Download:Kahua presentation video | Kahua presentation [PDF - 349 KB] | Kahua questions and answers [PDF - 191 KB] This session complements the Client Enrichment Series “Say Aloha to Kahua” session held August 18, and will cover, in detail, the applications customers will use in Kahua. If you missed that introductory session, you can access the recording on GSA’s Project Management Information System site, along with short training videos on accessing and navigating Kahua: /real-estate/design-and-construction/project-management-information-system/training-project-management-tool
Aug. 18, 2022 Say aloha to Kahua! - PBS’s new project management tool
April 23, 2020 Introduction to PBS project management
Download: PBS project management questions and answers [PDF - 114 KB] | PBS project management presentation [PDF - 3 MB] | PBS project management presentation video This introductory course provides customers with an overview of a Project Life Cycle; including Identification, Initiation, Planning, Execution and Closeout. It will cover the major components of each phase, and discuss both the technical aspects of what occurs in each step along with the responsibilities and expectations of PBS and Customer agencies as we partner to develop and execute space projects to serve your mission needs.
If you’re part of a project team working with GSA, you may have been asked to review Design Intent Drawings and provide input to ensure your agency gets the space that meets its mission requirements. As part of this process, you may be asked to understand and use the technical language and symbols of architecture and engineering.
Oct. 17, 2019 An overview of real property disposal: mission, services, and opportunities
The Office of Real Property Utilization and Disposal works with all Federal land holding agencies to develop real estate strategies (conveyances, exchanges, relocations, and sales) to identify and better manage underutilized assets. The RPUD program offers Federal clients a wide range of realty services, expert guidance and analytical tools.
This presentation will provide an overview of the program, the disposal process, and the various services RPUD can offer. These include transaction support, due diligence analysis, targeted asset reviews, highest and best use studies, appraisals, marketing strategies, environmental assessments and historic evaluations.
This program leverages its services, tools and expertise to drive optimal real estate outcomes that are tailored to an agency’s unique mission requirements. To complement its expertise and to enhance service offerings, RPUD provides a variety of contractual vehicles that offer Federal clients access to realty and environmental firms. RPUD services are available to all Federal landholding agencies.
If you’ve taken one (or more) of our recurring eRETA Digest classes - you’ve become familiar with the application that supports development of Work Requests which may become fully funded RWAs - Reimbursable Work Authorizations. This PBS multi-billion dollar program supports the federal community with a myriad of above-standard (beyond your rent) critical projects and services.
We’re offering an overview of the foundational policies and processes that govern the reimbursable services program. So if you’re new to this type of work between your agency and PBS, or want to brush up on the latest changes, this session is for you!
The PBS Reimbursable Services Program published the new RWA National Policy Manual in August 2020. This training will highlight some of the major policies referenced in the NPM, as well as some process and system components to help you manage your agency’s RWA and Work Request portfolio as seamlessly as possible.
The RWA program is changing its fee structure for the first time since the sliding scale fee structure was implemented in 1995. This session will kick off with a recap of the multiple components that make up RWA Fee Reform (the fee structure is only one of those changes) and then dive deeper specifically into the new fee structure, how it differs from the existing fee structure, and the importance of the RWA Acceptance Date, which dictates which fee structure will be used.
Understanding how a workplace is truly used is the first step to planning for a modern, functional space that effectively meets mission needs. GSA is testing and piloting methods for tracking daily occupancy data to identify effective, scalable methods of collecting and analyzing anonymized data to inform trends in how occupants are returning to the office so that our customer agencies can better plan and develop spaces that are the ideal size and configuration for their missions and workforces. Come to this session to learn about the data collection technologies and techniques that can be applied to evaluate your workplace.
At GSA, we’ve heard your concerns, and recognize the challenges you face when attempting to thoughtfully plan for your future occupancies. Join our session to familiarize yourself with some resources, tools, and expertise that can make the effort much more manageable.
Dec. 15, 2016 Planning and requirements management
GSA just entered our second year of offering co-working space to our customer agencies through a service contract with five national commercial vendors. Join us for a Client Enrichment Series presentation on Jan. 10 to learn how this flexible space solution may help your agency meet its space needs!
July 27, 2022 Workplace feasibility scenarios made easy with WIFM 2.0
Now better than ever — we’re happy to introduce the latest version of our Workplace Investment and Feasibility Modeling tool — or “WIFM” 2.0! WIFM is designed to assist federal agency workplace teams in exploring the feasibility of workplace change before the workplace project requirements have been defined.
Come to this overview session to learn about the variety of services our Center for Workplace Strategy has to offer to help you reimagine your workplace. From Activity Based Planning analysis to the self-service tools like our “Workplace Investment and Feasibility Modeling” to full-blown workplace engagements requiring organization-wide buy-in and change management, GSA can help guide you through options that suit every requirement and budget.
Dec. 9, 2021 Workplace design — lighting and acoustics
The low-hanging fruit of a human-centric and sustainable workplace!
As we adapt to the new realities… of the hybrid workplace, a mix of in-office and remote work, Federal agencies may desire some renovation or new construction to accommodate the emerging needs of their returning staff. In addition to the amount and configuration of space, two key elements of space design which have a great impact on the quality of that workplace sometimes go overlooked: lighting and acoustics.
Well-conceived lighting and acoustic strategies are the low-hanging fruit ripe for the picking to support work going forward in the new, human-centric hybrid environment. If thoughtfully considered at the beginning of your project, lighting and acoustics considerations can be implemented to complement your mission and staff needs, your budget and your sustainability goals.
Questions this session will address:
How can Federal facilities compete with the now familiar home office? Why should they?
Why are better lighting and acoustics more sustainable?
Why are recent discoveries about lighting so important to worker well-being and productivity?
How can better lighting and acoustics support the hybrid work environment to better “sync” the home office and the collaborative workplace?
What small practices can improve the home office acoustic and lighting environment?
How making a more human-centric environment is facilitated by better lighting and acoustics.
What lighting and acoustics parameters you should consider when working with GSA to prepare a scope of work for your workplace projects.
To keep pace with the changing ways in which Federal employees are working, GSA has awarded a Flexible Co-working Services contract to provide our Federal customers with short-term, on-demand co-working solutions. The services are available for immediate use in markets across the Continental United States and are delivered via five national co-working vendors.
April 13, 2021 The future of federal work insights
The pandemic has provided new insights on how the landscape of the federal workplace could be modified to build upon the learnings from this past year of rapid adaptation. The future of work is the ability to be productive anywhere, anytime. Technology has begun to replace space as the force bringing work together, but space still plays a key role toward maintaining and enhancing human connections. Join us for an overview of the findings that GSA has gathered through a series of conversations across the federal government that bring this concept of technology and space together in innovative ways to support the federal workforce and the work accomplished.
Jan. 21, 2021 Shape your workplace with activity based planning
Activity Based Planning is a strategic approach for workplace planning and design. Through an examination of agency organizational metrics and employee work styles, your workplace becomes an environment where individuals can choose the most effective method for accomplishing their work. Recognizing that one size does NOT fit all, ABP is grounded on the principal that a rich variety of spaces is often necessary to support an organization’s equally diverse range of activities and work styles. Tap into the expertise of our Total Workplace experts and start viewing your workplace through a new lens.
The Workplace Investment and Feasibility Modeling tool – or “WIFM” – is designed to assist federal agency workplace teams in exploring the feasibility of workplace change before the workplace project requirements have been defined.
Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations,
unless lodging is not available at the work activity, then the agency may authorize the rate where
lodging is obtained.
Unless otherwise specified, the per diem locality is defined as "all locations within, or entirely
surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city, including independent entities located within
those boundaries."
Per diem localities with county definitions shall include"all locations within, or entirely
surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties,
including independent entities located within the boundaries of the key city and the listed counties
(unless otherwise listed separately)."
When a military installation or Government - related facility(whether or not specifically named) is
located partially within more than one city or county boundary, the applicable per diem rate for the
entire installation or facility is the higher of the rates which apply to the cities and / or counties,
even though part(s) of such activities may be located outside the defined per diem locality.
U.S. General Services Administration
