Academics

Facilities Engineering Institute courses approved for GSA Schedule

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Three courses offered by Penn State’s Facilities Engineering Institute (PSFEI) have been added to the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) Schedule.  

GSA Schedules are fast, easy and effective contracting vehicles for all federal agencies and vendors. Customers benefit because they are purchasing from a government-approved vendor while vendors have more opportunities to connect with a wider range of federal government entities.

The courses — Facility Infrastructure Fundamentals Training, Fundamentals of High Performance Buildings and Smart Buildings Operations Training — will be listed under Facilities Maintenance and Management (Schedule 03FAC).

Jim Myers, director of the PSFEI, said the institute currently provides facility engineering services to 11 Pennsylvania state agencies and the federal government. He explained it will now be easier for those customers to request a PSFEI course. “They no longer have to go through all the contract procedures. Instead, the agency simply requests a purchase order for our services.”

He also noted the PSFEI could benefit from an increased revenue stream as more agencies request services. “Right now the institute brings in about $600,000 a year from these courses. This opportunity has the potential to increase that to more than $1 million in the next 18 months.”

Anthony Atchley, senior associate dean in the College of Engineering, said the PSFEI’s educational programs provide an invaluable service to the public sector, resulting in better-managed facilities that ultimately save tax payers dollars. “Having these programs available on the GSA Schedule will allow the institute to expand its reach to have a broader impact on government-owned facilities.”

He lauded the institute as an excellent example of how Penn State can bring its intellectual capital to bear to solve pressing societal problems.

The PSFEI employs engineers with expertise in many areas, including energy management and markets, building mechanical and electrical systems, water treatment systems, building envelope and other infrastructure systems. They will teach the courses in the GSA’s 11 regions across the country.

Myers said plans are already in the works to make modifications to and expand upon the services offered by the PSFEI.

More information about the PSFEI can be found at https://fei.psu.edu/.

Last Updated January 7, 2015

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