Peck's Technology Leadership for GSA: Part 2

GSA Interview -- Part Two... This is the second of a two-part interview with Robert A. Peck, Commissioner of the Public Buildings Service (PBS) of the U.S. General Services Administration. As head of PBS, Peck controls an annual budget for PBS of $5.5 billion.

Circo: What project management systems are being used by PBS to facilitate the development process?

Peck: PBS, at the desktop level, is utilizing both commercially developed and proprietary client/server applications. PBS is piloting the Electronic Project Management tools for project collaboration in several regions. We are taking advantage of commercial project extranets for construction management in major construction projects. Over 30 projects are currently utilizing various applications, including Cephren, Bidcom, Meridian (Prolog Web), Evolv (Bricsnet)/Digit and Emerging Solutions (Constructware). These are project collaboration platforms (not e-commerce platforms). However, many of the technology vendors are proclaiming that the next wave of technology and adoption after project collaboration will be e-commerce, market exchanges that electronically enable the supply chain of design and construction.

PBS's project managers and executives are monitoring closely these technologies to see how they can 1) benefit the project teams, 2) have a positive return on the investment in technology, and 3) help deliver better quality products and services to our customers.

Circo: What future initiatives are underway at PBS for real estate on the Internet?

Peck: PBS has established a Project Information Steering Team to identify commercial off- the-shelf (COTS), Internet-based program management systems

or network of systems and applications to manage and monitor GSA's nation-wide construction program (capital and non-capital). On June 1, 2000, PBS issued a request for information in the Commerce Business Daily (CBD), and received over 80 responses. In addition, it has canvassed both private sector and other public agencies for a comprehensive picture of the technology marketplace for project and program management. The Steering Team is in the process of completing its market survey and developing an analysis of alternative business solutions that will meet the need for project information.

PBS is looking towards a bright future of taking further advantage of the Internet through developing business processes such as "Bid Return," where contractors and vendors can bid directly online for Service and Construction Projects. In addition, Architect - Engineering firms will be able to send official business correspondence through the Internet to Project Officers and Contracting Officers. Also, PBS is looking to expand the extranet usage for construction. Internally, PBS has efforts underway to develop an electronic business process to share data amongst its business applications and consolidate business reporting. In any of these processes, PBS has efforts underway to enhance its use of public key infrastructure (PKI), including the use of digital signatures to ensure security controls and reliability.

Circo: Where do you think PBS is ahead of the private sector with the usage of web-enabled technology for its real estate portfolio?

Peck: The Federal building income and expense data are made available to PBS asset and portfolio managers nationwide via the Internet. The Asset Business Plans are used to develop long-range asset strategy, reinvestment plans, and capital investment priorities. It is an integral part of (GSA's) community, regional and national plans. While the general public cannot get access to the Asset Business Plans, PBS is, however, working on a series of pilots to test "enterprise project management" with our customers and private sector partners for large construction and renovation projects. Several regions are partnering with private sector firms capable of providing a project-based site where customers, project architects, engineers and GSA can share project specific information from CAD drawings, to schedules, to change orders via e-mail. In addition, Portfolio Management has arranged to provide web-based market and demand information to PBS through a contract with Torto Wheaton Research... THE END

--Eileen Circo