1605AE-23-Q-00006_Muhl Kitchen Final 08.02.2023.pdf

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

RFQ No. 1605AE-22-Q-00006 Mobile Kitchen for Muhlenberg Job Corps Center

(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

(ii) The solicitation number is 1605AE-23-Q-00006 and this solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ).

(iii) This solicitation and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2023-04, dated June 2, 2023, at https://www.acquisition.gov/

(iv) This RFQ is issued as a Total Small Business Set-Aside. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 336212. The small business size standard is 1000 employees.

(v) The vendor will Provide a new 53’ mobile kitchen. The order will include lay-out & fabrication, delivery & commissioning and on-site set-up & staff training of the premanufactured 53’ x 8’ mobile kitchen for the Muhlenberg Job Corps Center located in Greenville, KY. The vendor will work with the Department of Labor to determine the final layout and equipment list prior to buildout of the mobile kitchen.

(vi) The vendor shall layout mobile kitchen trailer capable of serving three (3) meals per day to a minimum of 300 persons. The mobile kitchen trailer shall have accommodations for storage, food preparation, cooking, and cleaning. See attached Statement of Work/Salient Characteristics for specific details and/or equipment.

(vii) The Government anticipates delivery within 304 calendar days from the date of award.

(viii) FAR Provision 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, applies to this acquisition. Applicable Addenda – 52.212-1(c), The offeror agrees to

OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

https://www.acquisition.gov/ hold the prices in its quote firm for 120 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers.

(ix) FAR Provision 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, applies to this acquisition. The government intends to award a contract to the responsible vendor based on the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) selection process.

Technical factors will be reviewed on a Pass/Fail basis. Failure of one factor equals failure of all technical factors. Review the attached List of Salient Characteristics/Statement of Work for the specific requirements.

The Technical factors to be reviewed:

1. Compliance with Technical Scope of Work

• The Mobile Kitchen will have accommodations for storage, food preparation, cooking & cleaning.

• Capable of serving 3 meals per day for a minimum of 300 persons

• Manufactured based on requirements outlined in the Extent of Work including:

o Meets all National and State Health and Code Requirements o Trailer Fabrication Requirements o Trailer Equipment Requirements o Trailer Utilities Requirements (Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical) o Meets minimum warranty requirements o Schedule meets or exceeds the required 304 days delivery

Award will be to the responsive, responsible vendor that Passes all the technical factors and provides the lowest price.

(x) FAR Provision 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, applies to this acquisition. Therefore, vendors are required to be registered in SAM at the time quotes are due in order to comply with the annual representations and certifications requirement. An active SAM.gov registration must be maintained for the life of the contract.

(xi) FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, applies to this acquisition.

(xii) FAR Clause 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, applies to this acquisition.

The following clauses are applicable to the acquisition:

(1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (JUN 2020), with Alternate I (NOV 2021) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 4655).

(2) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (JUN 2020) (Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

(3) 52.204-27, Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (JUN 2023) (Section 102 of Division R of Pub. L. 117-328).

(4) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (NOV 2021) ( 31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

(5) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2020) ( 15 U.S.C. 644).

(6) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (MAR 2023)( 15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

(7) 52.219-33, Nonmanufacturer Rule (SEP 2021) ( 15U.S.C. 637(a)(17)).

(8) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (JUN 2003) (E.O.11755).

(9) 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (DEC 2022) (E.O.13126).

(10) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015).

(11) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (SEP 2016) (E.O.11246).

(12) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (JUN 2020) ( 38 U.S.C. 4212).

(13) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 2020) ( 29 U.S.C. 793).

(14) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (JUN 2020) ( 38 U.S.C. 4212).

(15) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act

(DEC 2010) (E.O. 13496).

(16) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (NOV 2021) ( 22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O.

13627).

(17) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA–Designated Items (May 2008) ( 42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)).

(18) 52.223-11, Ozone-Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential Hydrofluorocarbons (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693).

(19) 52.223-12, Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment and Air Conditioners (JUN 2016) (E.O. 13693).

(20) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (MAY 2020) ( 42 U.S.C.

8259b).

(21) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (JUN 2020) (E.O. 13513).

(22) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (DEC 2022) ( 19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note).

(23) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (FEB 2021) (E.O.’s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

(24) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management

(OCT2018) ( 31 U.S.C. 3332).

(25) DOL 2023-01, Advancing Equity in the Engagement of Workers Performing Services Under the Contract (2022), see attached for full text version.

(26) DOLAR 2952.70, Contracting Officer's Representative (Cor) Clause, see attached for full text version.

(xiii) Questions are due Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 2:00 pm ET. Questions will be responded to by an amendment. Questions shall be submitted via email to the addresses below.

(xiv) Quotes are due Friday September 1, 2023 at 2:00 pm ET. All quotes and supporting documentations shall be submitted electronically to the email addresses below.

(xv) The Points of Contract for information regarding the solicitation is:

Contract Specialist: Barb Eschels, eschels.barbara.a@dol.gov Contracting Officer: Emily Giardino, giardino.emily.m@dol.gov mailto:eschels.barbara.a@dol.gov mailto:giardino.emily.m@dol.gov

Muhlenberg Job Corps Center (SOW) | Project No. 4233 TOC-1

SCOPE OF WORK

PURCHASE AND DELIVERY OF MOBILE KITCHEN

MUHLENBERG JOB CORPS CENTER

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. GENERAL

II. DESIGN REQUIREMENTS/SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

A. LEGALLY MANDATED STANDARDS

B. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

III. USE OF THE SITE

IV. EXTENT OF WORK

A. KITCHEN TRAILER

B. PLUMBING

C. MECHANICAL

D. Electrical

E. COORDINATION OF WORK

F. PROJECT SCHEDULE

Muhlenberg Job Corps Center (SOW) | Project No. 4233 Page 1 of 7

SCOPE OF WORK

PURCHASE AND DELIVERY OF MOBILE KITCHEN

MUHLENBERG JOB CORPS CENTER

I. GENERAL

a. The project involves the fabrication and delivery of a new approximately 53’ long x 8’ wide Mobile Kitchen trailer for the Muhlenberg Job Corps Center (JCC) located in Greenville, KY; however, the mobile trailer shall be designed for transport and operations to other Job Corps Center located within the continental United States and Alaska.

b. The vendor shall work with the Department of Labor to determine the final layout and equipment list before the buildout of the mobile kitchen.

c. The Muhlenberg Job Corps Center is a leased facility. Installation and connection of utilities to the mobile kitchen to be performed by a third party.

d. The vendor shall provide startup and commissioning of all equipment and systems within 30 calendar days after delivery to Muhlenberg JCC.

e. The vendor shall provide all Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Manuals and warranty documents upon delivery of the Mobile Kitchen to the Muhlenberg Job Corps Center.

II. DESIGN REQUIREMENTS/SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

A. LEGALLY MANDATED STANDARDS

The Contractor shall conform to:

1. Code of Federal Regulations

a. Safety and Health………………………………………..OSHA CFR Part 1926.62

b. Disability/Accessibility…………………………………………….28 CFR Part 36

The design must be in strict conformance with the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standard (ABAAS) of 2007 from the General Services Administration. The Contractor shall conduct a thorough research of these guidelines and, without exception, comply to the fullest extent, including those guidelines pertaining to the visually and hearing impaired.

No deviations from these guidelines are allowed. However, if the Contractor, at any Design Review Submittal, demonstrates that the compliance requirements would be technically infeasible or that compliance will cause an undue burden as defined by the guidelines, the Contractor is obligated to notify the Contracting Officer, in writing, for a final decision on such requirements.

These standards can be printed from the website at either https://www.ecfr.gov/ or https://www.gsa.gov/system/files/National_Accessibility_Program_Standar ds_Policies_and_Procedures_2-1.pdf.

c. Life Safety Code………………………………………………………NFPA-101

The Contractor’s responsibility for safety related requirements extends to all impacted areas and access ways affected by the work.

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2. National and State Building Codes

a. The Contractor shall conform to all applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations that apply to mobile kitchen trailers inclusive of all National, State, and local Codes including all applicable Health Department codes and requirements.

b. Deviations and interpretations shall be subject to the approval of the Contracting Officer

(CO). Consider whether special requirements should be included because of the geographic location, i.e., hurricane, heavy wind, or storm features for the United States.

3. Title and Permits

a. Contractor shall provide a copy of the Bill of Sale and COO (Certificate of Origin) to the

Department upon delivery of the Mobile Kitchen.

b. The Contractor shall be responsible for all hauling costs inclusive of permits, fees, etc.

B. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

1. Sustainable Design

a. The Contractor shall provide materials and equipment that comply with the – GREEN “CHEAT SHEET” JOB CORPS SUSTAINABILITY GUIDELINES which is available for download and reference.

b. Kitchen equipment shall be energy star certified where available.

2. Submittal Requirements

a. The required Submissions are as follows:

Preliminary Design Layout drawings, equipment list, equipment product data, and Specifications.

Final Design and Fabrication Layout drawings, equipment list, equipment product data, and Specifications.

b. The Contractor shall allow the Department a 14-calendar day review period for all submittals.

c. The Contractor shall provide the Preliminary Design Layout drawings, equipment list, equipment product data, and Specifications submissions within 28 days of the Receipt of Order for review by the Department and the Final Design and Fabrication Layout drawings and Specifications, with all corrections and revisions, within 70 days of Receipt of Order.

d. The Contractor shall, at a minimum, submit the following prior to Government acceptance:

Manufacturers Certificate of Origin Warranties O&M Manuals http://www.solicitationattachments.com/

Muhlenberg Job Corps Center (SOW) | Project No. 4233 Page 3 of 7

Records of Training

3. Additional Provisions

Commissioning After Mobile Kitchen delivery, utility installation, and connections by the center, the contractor shall be responsible for verifying proper operation of the assorted kitchen equipment, cooking stations, heating, hood ventilation, and air conditioning systems 30 calendar days after mobile kitchen delivery.

Training After Mobile Kitchen delivery, utilities installation, and connections by the center, the contractor shall provide training to center staff in the proper use, operation, and maintenance of the kitchen trailer, equipment, and long-term storage 30 calendar days after mobile kitchen delivery. The contractor shall be responsible for video recording the entire training session and for providing a copy of the video recording to be delivered to the center within 10 calendar days of completion of the training. One copy of the video/audio file shall be delivered to the Muhlenberg JCC and one copy to the Department/ESC via flash drive to the addresses below:

Muhlenberg Job Corps Center Attn.: Center Director

3875 KY-181 N

Greenville, KY 42345

Department (DOL) Contracting Officer c/o Engineering Support Contractor

2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 400 Arlington, VA 22201

III. USE OF THE SITE

Access to the site will be coordinated with the center once the trailer is fabricated and ready for delivery.

IV. EXTENT OF WORK

A. KITCHEN TRAILER

1. The contractor shall provide a kitchen trailer capable of serving three (3) meals per day to a minimum of 300 persons.

2. Kitchen Trailer shall have accommodations for storage, food preparation, cooking and cleaning.

3. The kitchen trailer will include the following at a minimum:

a. Trailer Fabrication Steel I-Beam Frame Air brakes and heavy-duty suspension Galvanized Steel Rear Crossmember/Bumper Galvanized Steel Corner Posts, Door Posts, Headers, and Side Rails Galvanized Steel Body Posts and Roof Bows Minimum 0.40 Smooth Aluminum Exterior Aluminum one piece roof sheet

Muhlenberg Job Corps Center (SOW) | Project No. 4233 Page 4 of 7

Minimum ¾” exterior grade subfloor Exterior lighting per standard DOT regulations LED Stop, Turn, and Marker Lights Heavy Duty Manual Telescoping Stabilizer Legs Single Panel Doors minimum 36”x78” Fifth Wheel trailer hitch Painted steel exterior stairs and landing with handrails and guardrails as required at all entry and exit points.

An anchoring system to include D-rings every 8 feet on both sides of the trailer along with the tie-down straps securing the mobile Kitchen.

Propane gas tank connection

b. Equipment

Stainless Steel Three-compartment sink Stainless Steel Pot Wash sink Stainless Steel Vegetable sink Stainless Steel Hand wash sinks with soap and towel dispensers.

Stainless Steel Exterior hand wash station with soap and towel dispensers Stainless steel work/prep tables with under shelving Stainless steel #4 Satin Finish Countertops Throughout Stainless steel overhead shelving Gas Fryer Gas Griddle with oven Gas Burner range with oven Gas Convection oven Gas Char boiler Gas Pan steamer Gas Tilt skillet Handwashing stations as required by the applicable health codes Holding cabinetry Walk-in cooler with wire shelving racks Walk-in or reach-in freezer Tankless “On Demand” water heater HVAC with wall mounted thermostat Stainless Steel Ventilation hood with grease cup and downdraft exhaust fan NFPA Fire suppression system in exhaust hood Handheld fire extinguishers Dish washer Built-in grease traps Non-slip durable diamond plate metal flooring Interior wall and ceiling covering shall be Extrutech engineered polymer liner panels or equal Foam insulated floor, walls, and ceilings Interior Light package with LED lights providing a minimum 50 foot-candles Unit must meet all code and Health Department requirements All equipment shall be American Made

B. PLUMBING

1. Recessed floor drains plumbed to wastewater tank.

2. Graywater holding tank with vent.

C. MECHANICAL

Muhlenberg Job Corps Center (SOW) | Project No. 4233 Page 5 of 7

1. The trailer shall be furnished with an HVAC system to provide heating, ventilation, and air conditioning with automatic temperature control by thermostat. For bidding purposes, the contractor shall assume a 5-ton unit.

D. Electrical

1. The Contractor shall design the trailer electrical systems in accordance with the National Electric Code.

2. The trailer shall be furnished with the capability for on-site utility connection with utility power to serve all electrical requirements. The new electrical connection should support 100 amps /220v and will be a single-phase panel.

3. The Contractor will provide a grounding point for the trailer and ground.

4. The contractor will provide necessary panels, manual transfer switches and transformers to power the trailer under the following scenarios:

i. Powered by generator alone.

ii. Powered by utility alone.

iii. Changing from one configuration to another

E. COORDINATION OF WORK

1. Owner Installed Utilities

a. The Department of Labor, through a separate contract, will provide the required utilities to the trailer for connection by the kitchen trailer vendor.

b. The contractor shall coordinate with the Department and their contractor during utility installation to ensure the proper utilities are provided at the appropriate location required for connection to the trailer.

c. The contractor shall commission the trailer using the utility hookup.

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F. PROJECT SCHEDULE

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION Calendar Days

Receipt of Order TBD

Preliminary Layout and Fabrication Submittal 28

Preliminary Review/Approval 14

Final Layout and Fabrication Submittal 28

Review/Approve Final Submittal 14

Fabrication and Delivery 180

Center Utility Installation and Connections

Commissioning and Training

Training Video Submission 10

Total Period of Performance 304

Combined Synopsis/Solicita on RFQ No. 1605AE-22-Q-00006

Mobile Kitchen for Muhlenberg Job Corps Center

Department of Labor Clauses

DOL 2023-01, ADVANCING EQUITY IN THE ENGAGEMENT OF WORKERS PERFORMING SERVICES

UNDER THE CONTRACT (2022).

This contract provision does not require contractors to take any particular action. It merely provides information to encourage contractors to advance diversity and equity.

In accordance with Executive Order (E.O.) 13985, contractors and subcontractors performing under DOL contracts should adhere to policies and practices that promote fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals. Contractors and subcontractors should advance equity in the engagement (whether through hiring, subcontracting, or otherwise) of individuals to perform services required under any DOL contract, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality (“underserved communities”).

To realize this, contractors should conduct outreach to underserved communities with respect to employment and subcontracting opportunities, to include, among other things, working with affinity groups, colleges and universities, minority serving educational institutions, and other similar organizations, for example the National Black Chamber of Commerce, Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment, Advocacy & Leadership, and the U.S. Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, Hispanic Associations of Colleges and Universities (HACUs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs).

Contractors are encouraged to share with DOL, information about their efforts and success in achieving diversity and equity in the engagement of contractor and subcontractor staff assigned to this contract. Of particular interest and value for DOL would be insights from the contractor on the number of individuals from underserved communities that are providing services in support of this contract, and their geographic location.

The terms “underserved communities,” “diversity,” equity,” and accessibility,” as used in this provision have the same definition as in E.O. 13985.

DOLAR 2952.70, CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR) CLAUSE

(a) A Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will be delegated upon award. A copy of the delegation memorandum will be provided to the COR and a delegation letter sent to the vendor.

(b) The COR is responsible, as applicable, for receiving all deliverables; inspecting and accepting the supplies or services provided hereunder in accordance with the terms and conditions of this contract; providing direction to the contractor which clarifies the contract effort, fills in details or otherwise serves to accomplish the contractual scope of work; evaluating performance; and certifying all invoices/vouchers for acceptance of the supplies or services furnished for payment.

(c) The COR does not have the authority to alter the contractor's obligations under the contract, and/or modify any of the expressed terms, conditions, specifications, or cost of the agreement. If, as a result of technical discussions, it is desirable to alter/change contractual obligations or the scope of work, the contracting officer must issue such changes.

NATIONAL

ACCESSIBILITY

PROGRAM

STANDARDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

U.S GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

1GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1

1 PURPOSE

2 HISTORY OF ACCESSIBLE FACILITY DESIGN AT GSA

3 GSA’S NATIONAL ACCESSIBILITY PROGRAM

4 U.S. ACCESS BOARD

5 ACCESSIBLE FACILITY DESIGN PROCESS

6 ABA MODIFICATION AND WAIVER REQUESTS

7 ACCESS BOARD COMPLAINTS

8 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT

ACCESSIBLE FACILITY DESIGN

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover: Front Entrance Ramp and Stair - Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building, Portland, Oregon

2GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1

New E Street Entrance Lobby - GSA Headquarters, Washington, DC

3GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1

PURPOSE

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is committed to implementing the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (ABA). To do so, the agency constructs new facilities that are accessible to persons with disabilities and incorporates the most current accessible-design requirements into its alterations of existing buildings.

It also leases accessible facilities. GSA takes pride in accommodating all Americans.

GSA’s National Accessibility Program makes information about accessible design available to all individuals responsible for designing, constructing, altering, leasing, and operating the agency’s inventory.

To that end, this desk guide is intended to assist the Regional Accessibility Officers who manage GSA’s National Accessibility Program, as well as GSA’s Public Buildings Service (PBS) employees responsible for overseeing the design, construction, alteration, leasing, and operation of the agency’s inventory. Architects

4GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1 and engineers under contract to GSA to design new facilities or alterations should also look to the guide as a vital resource. This document compiles the background, program operating procedures, and resources that support GSA’s efforts to fully comply with the accessibility requirements of the historic ABA legislation.

STANDARDS, POLICIES, PROCEDURES

AND ABAAS

The Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) of 1968 covers all federal facilities designed, built, altered or leased with federal funds. In addition, it is U.S.

General Services Administration policy that all of its buildings and facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities, without the need for special equipment or designated space. In 2006 GSA adopted the Architectural Barriers Act

Accessibility Standard, or ABAAS, to fulfill this purpose. ABAAS applies to both owned and leased properties in the GSA inventory. As landlord of federal civilian workplaces, GSA is in the unique position of implementing or resolving accessibility for all facilities covered by the ABA except military, postal and housing facilities.

ABAAS is divided into 10 parts. The first two chapters cover application, administration and scoping requirements of the standard. Moreover, they are prefixed by the letter F, as in F206.4 or

F206.4.1, to designate that they apply only to federal buildings and facilities.

While ABAAS and the design standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act share common technical requirements, there are important differences in Chapters 1 and 2 pertaining to application, administration and scoping due to the differences between the ABA and ADA statutes.

The remaining chapters of ABAAS contain technical requirements for, sites, facilities, buildings, special rooms and spaces such as toilet rooms, bathing facilities, and kitchens, and elements such as: doors, ramps, elevators, stairs, platform lifts, plumbing fixtures, signs, communication systems and work surfaces. Technical requirements specify details like clearances and reach ranges.

The current ABA standards have been harmonized to a significant extent with industry standards and model building codes, including the International Building

Code. By GSA policy, a specific ABAAS technical requirement is superseded in cases where a project’s state or locality has a more stringent requirement.

Architects and engineers often underestimate the complexity of ABAAS.

Indeed, navigating the standard involves understanding many scoping and technical variables, yet ABAAS’s overall mandate is clear: to ensure the accessibility of facilities designed, built, altered or leased with federal funds as required by the ABA.

GSA’s “National Accessibility Program:

Standards, Policies and Procedures” is a companion to ABAAS. Although reading this publication is no substitute for learning the intricacies of ABAAS, “Standards, Policies and Procedures” does place the standard in historical context and highlights some of its most queried technical requirements. Perhaps more important, “Standards, Policies and

Procedures” explains the administration of ABAAS—which itself contains variables and exceptions. GSA’s accessibility officers, as well as the staff of the U.S.

Access Board, are available to assist with technical and administrative queries alike.

Please see chapters 3 and 4 for contact information.

http://www.access-board.gov/ada-aba/aba-standards-gsa.cfm http://www.access-board.gov/ada-aba/aba-standards-gsa.cfm

5GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1

Entrance Ramp and Stairs - William Jefferson Clinton Federal Building, Washington, DC

6GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1

HISTORY OF

ACCESSIBLE FACILITY

DESIGN AT GSA

In 1959 the American Standards Association—a private-sector standard-setting organization now known as the American National Standards Institute, or ANSI—spearheaded the first serious effort to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities in the built environment. Responding to a request by The President’s Committee on Employment of the Physically Handicapped, the association held a general conference of allied organizations that recommended development of voluntary accessible-design standards for buildings. The President’s Committee on Employment of the Physically Handicapped co-sponsored the recommendation with the National Society for Crippled Children and Adults (later renamed the National Easter Seal Society).

ACCESSIBILITY MILESTONES

1959 » American Standards Association conference recommends voluntary accessible-design standards for buildings

1961 » Publication of “American National

Standard Specifications for Making

Buildings and Facilities Accessible to, and

Usable by, The Physically Handicapped”;

today known as the American National

Standards Institute (ANSI) A117.1

1965 » Establishment of National

Commission on Architectural Barriers to Vocational Rehabilitation of the

Handicapped (NCAB) in the Department of

Health, Education, and Welfare

1968 » NCAB issues “Design for All

Americans”

1968 » Congress passes the Architectural

Barriers Act (ABA), requiring facilities designed, constructed, altered, or leased with certain federal funds or grants to be accessible to persons with disabilities

ANSI A117.1

7GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1

In 1961 ANSI published the first nationally recognized design standards for accessibility. ANSI A117.1, “American National Standard Specifications for Making Buildings and Facilities Accessible to, and Usable by, The Physically Handicapped,” was based on research conducted by the University of Illinois and funded by the Easter Seal Research Foundation.

Originally voluntary, the ANSI standard became enforceable when state and local governments began adopting it toward the end of the decade.

In 1969, subsequent to the passage of the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA), GSA adopted ANSI A117.1 as its first standard for accessible design. Five years later the standard received federal input from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which joined the ANSI secretariat in charge of it.

Architectural Barriers Act In 1968 Congress passed the ABA to require accessibility for persons with disabilities in facilities that are designed, built, or altered by or on behalf of the United States of America. The act also applies to federally leased properties and to non-federally owned facilities that are constructed or altered with certain types of federal funding. The ABA designates the U.S. Department

1969 » GSA adopts ANSI A117.1 as its first, voluntary standard for accessible design

1973 » Congress passes the Rehabilitation

Act of 1973, Section 502 of which creates the Architectural and Transportation

Barriers Compliance Board—today known as the U.S. Access Board

1974 » Department of Housing and

Urban Development joins secretariat of committee in charge of ANSI A117.1 standard

1975 » James S. Jeffers is appointed the first Executive Director of the U.S. Access

Board

1980 » ANSI releases an improved accessible design standard, A117.1-1980

1980 » GSA publishes a mandatory “GSA

Accessibility Standard,” based on ANSI

A117.1-1980

1982 » U.S. Access Board publishes the

“Minimum Guidelines and Requirements for Accessible Design” (MGRAD) as the basis for ABA standards

1984 » “Uniform Federal Accessibility

Standards” (UFAS), based on MGRAD, are published by the four federal standard-setting agencies designated to implement the ABA (DOD, GSA, HUD and USPS)

1988 » Congress passes the Fair Housing

Amendments Act, which requires accessible features in certain covered multifamily dwellings

1990 » Congress passes the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability

8GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1 of Defense (DoD), the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) as the four federal agencies responsible for creating the accessibility standards that implement the ABA.

Rehabilitation Act The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in programs conducted or financially assisted by the U.S. government, federal employment, and federal contractor employment. The Rehabilitation Act also created the U.S. Access Board, to enforce the ABA and to develop and maintain accessible-design guidelines that set the baseline for the ABA’s mandatory standards.

Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards In 1984 the four federal standard-setting agencies—DoD, GSA, HUD, and USPS—published the “Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards” (UFAS) as the first government-wide implementing standard of the ABA. The basis for the common accessibility standard was the “Minimum Guidelines and Requirements for Accessible Design,” or MGRAD, which the United States Access Board published in 1982.

in the private and state and local government sectors, and requires access to programs and services, transportation, the built environment, employment, and communication.

1991 » U.S. Access Board publishes the “ADA Accessibility Guidelines”

(ADAAG) for buildings, facilities and transportation vehicles, which serve as the basis for standards implemented by the Department of Justice and the

Department of Transportation

1991 » Department of Justice adopts

ADAAG as the “ADA Standards for

Accessible Design”

1991 » Department of Transportation

(DOT) publishes “ADA Standards for

Transportation Facilities” and “ADA

Standards for Transportation Vehicles” based on the Access Board’s ADAAG

1992 » Although ADAAG is not applicable to federal facilities, GSA adopts policy of following UFAS or ADAAG requirements— whichever is more stringent—for projects

1998 » U.S. Access Board amends ADAAG to include guidelines for state and local government facilities and building elements designed for children’s use

2000 » U.S. Access Board amends

ADAAG to include guidelines for play areas

2002 » U.S. Access Board amends

ADAAG to include guidelines for recreation facilities

2004 » U.S. Access Board jointly updates ADAAG and its ABA Accessibility

9GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1

Later in 1984 GSA issued a policy on accessibility in leased space, because leased facilities were not included in UFAS. For GSA, these two publications required all new, renovated, and leased federal civilian workplaces under its control to be accessible to persons with disabilities.

Americans with Disabilities Act In 1990 Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in employment, telecommunications, and state and local governments’ activities and services. The ADA also establishes accessibility requirements for the design, construction, and alteration of state and local government facilities and private-sector facilities, namely places of public accommodation and commercial activity. The ADA does not apply to federally owned or leased properties.

Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standard (ABAAS) GSA adopted the “Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standard” (ABAAS) in 2006 as its new implementing standard for the ABA. It is based on the ADA/ABA Accessibility Guidelines published in the Federal Register by the U.S. Access Board in 2004.

Guidelines, synchronizing their scoping and technical criteria, which are published as the “Americans with Disability Act and

Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility

Guidelines.”

2005 » U.S. Postal Service publishes

“Standards for Facility Accessibility,” based on the ADA-ABA Accessibility Guidelines of 2004

2006 » GSA publishes the “Architectural

Barriers Act Accessibility Standard”

(ABAAS), based on the ADA-ABA

Accessibility Guidelines; ABAAS applies to both owned and leased facilities

2006 » DOT publishes the “ADA Standards for Transportation Facilities,” based on the

ADA-ABA Accessibility Guidelines

2008 » Department of Defense publishes the “ABA Accessibility Standard for

Department of Defense Facilities,” based on the ADA/ABA Accessibility Guidelines

2010 » Department of Justice publishes the “ADA Standards for Accessible Design,” based on the ADA/ABA Accessibility

Guidelines; applies to ADA facilities except for transportation facilities

10GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1

New E Street Entrance Doors - GSA Headquarters, Washington, DC

11GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1

GSA’S NATIONAL

ACCESSIBILITY PROGRAM

GSA’s long-running National Accessibility Program has focused on providing barrier-free facilities as required by the ABA. In 1969, the agency adopted ANSI A117.1 as its first standard for accessible design; through most of the following decade, GSA’s Public Buildings Service conducted a voluntary program for retrofitting owned and leased facilities to comply with that standard. When a more comprehensive ANSI standard was released in 1980, GSA used it as a basis for creating its “GSA Accessibility Standard,” published later that same year. The “GSA Accessibility Standard” was mandatory for GSA facilities until the development of UFAS and related policy for leased space in 1984.

After passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, ADA accessibility standards for commercial and public facilities (ADAAG) were published in July 1991. Although the new standards were not

PROGRAM HISTORY

STANDARDS VERSUS GUIDELINES

Section 502 of the Rehabilitation Act of

1973 established the U.S. Access Board to enforce compliance with the accessibility requirements of the ABA. Congress took another step toward that goal in

1978, when it passed amendments to the Rehabilitation Act that authorized the Access Board to establish minimum guidelines for the standards used to enforce the ABA.

Guidelines are not enforceable until they are formally adopted as standards by the

ABA’s four standard-setting agencies, a group that includes GSA. Under the arrangement established in 1978, in

1982 the U.S. Access Board published

“Minimum Guidelines and Requirements for Accessible Design,” and MGRAD formed the basis of 1984’s “Uniform

Federal Accessibility Standards.” This process was repeated in 2004 when the

Access Board published new accessible-design guidelines in the Federal Register, and two years later GSA adopted them as the “Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility

Standard.”

12GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1 applicable to federal facilities, they were in some respects more stringent than UFAS. So a proactive GSA adopted the policy of following UFAS or ADAAG—whichever had the more rigorous requirement—for all new design and construction projects started after July 8, 1992. Other federal agencies soon followed GSA’s lead.

In 2006, GSA adopted the ABA portions of the U.S.

Access Board’s ADA-ABA Accessibility Guidelines as its new accessibility standard for facility design to replace UFAS. This current standard is called the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standard, or ABAAS, and applies to both owned and leased facilities.

It bears repeating that the ADA does not apply to federally owned or leased properties, including GSA’s inventory. ABAAS has the same technical requirements as ADA accessible-design standards, but these standards differ in application, administration, and scoping.

Program Responsibilities GSA’s National Accessibility Program resides in the Office of the Chief Architect. The program is managed by a National Accessibility Officer and implemented by 11 Regional Accessibility Officers. The program is responsible for ensuring that ABAAS requirements

The whole arc of guidelines and standards points upward. Accessibility standards in the United States have evolved and greatly improved over time. ANSI A117.1 presented rudimentary technical requirements, but lacked details like the dimensions of accessible toilet stalls and parking spaces, and contained no scoping requirements.

Current standards provide scoping and technical requirements that reflect an enlightened understanding of the needs of persons with disabilities.

http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/buildings-and-sites/about-the-aba-standards/aba-standards http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/buildings-and-sites/about-the-aba-standards/aba-standards

13GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1 are incorporated into the designs of all new, altered, and leased facilities. View complete listing of Accessibility Officers.

In addition, GSA’s National Accessibility Program manages the accessibility complaint process for GSA’s owned and leased facilities; sets accessibility policy; and interprets ABAAS for GSA staff, government tenant agencies, architects, designers, private citizens, and accessibility organizations.

The program’s National Accessibility Officer also specifically serves as the GSA liaison to the U.S.

Access Board. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 establishes GSA’s Administrator as a permanent member of its governing board, and the National Accessibility Officer is responsible for briefing the Administrator or his or her designee on relevant accessibility issues prior to board meetings. The National Accessibility Officer serves as a non-voting proxy for the Administrator or designee at board meetings in case of his or her absence, as well. The Administrator looks to the Office of the Chief Architect and the National Accessibility Program for guidance on the subject generally.

http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/21630 http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/21630

14GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1

Entrance Ramp - Department of Transportation Headquarters, Washington, DC

15GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1

U.S. ACCESS BOARD

Several years after the 1968 passage of the Architectural Barriers Act, Congress observed that compliance had been uneven, and that the four federal agencies designated by the ABA to implement federal standards for accessibility had not created them. Consequently, when Congress considered the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, it conceived a separate federal agency to enforce the ABA and expedite development of accessible-design standards for implementation. Section 502 of this law established the U.S. Access Board to ensure federal compliance with the ABA and to propose solutions to environmental barriers addressed in the ABA.

The Access Board is devoted to accessibility for persons with disabilities. It has a permanent staff of approximately 30 federal employees, and a 25-person governing board whose membership comprises 12 federal agency representatives and 13

4A. ITS COMPOSITION AND PURPOSE

http://www.access-board.gov/

16GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1

Presidential appointees serving 4-year terms on a rotating basis.

GSA’s Administrator, or his or her designee, fills one of the 12 federal slots of the governing board;

a majority of the 13 Presidential appointees must have a disability. The governing board oversees the Access Board’s mission, priorities, budget, research programs, and development of accessible-design guidelines and outreach goals.

Today the Access Board is responsible for accessible-design guidelines for the built environment, transportation vehicles, and telecommunications equipment, and accessibility standards for electronic and information technology and medical diagnostic equipment under a variety of laws, including the ABA and ADA. It provides technical assistance and training for all these design criteria, and enforces the implementing standards of the ABA for federally funded facilities.

The Access Board does not oversee or enforce Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which protects qualified individuals from disability-based discrimination in federally conducted or federally funded programs. These requirements are set by individual agencies and enforcement is coordinated and overseen by the Department of Justice.

17GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1

The Access Board functions as a coordinating body among federal agencies. It also directly represents the public, particularly persons with disabilities, through its website and presentations, as well as formal meetings that are often attended by representatives of various disability advocacy groups.

4B. THE ACCESS BOARD AND ABA

ACCESSIBLE-DESIGN CRITERIA

A key mission of the Access Board is establishing accessible-design criteria for buildings and facilities, and it is continually developing or updating these criteria. Since 1978, the Access Board has been responsible for issuing accessible-design guidelines for federally funded facilities.

In 1990 that role expanded after Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act, which empowered the Board to develop accessible design guidelines for state and local government facilities, places of public accommodation, commercial facilities, and transportation facilities and vehicles. Subsequent laws passed by Congress further expanded the board’s mission to cover access to telecommunications equipment, electronic and information technology in the federal sector, and medical diagnostic equipment.

ABA Enforcement The ABA compliance process emphasizes informal

18GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1 resolution. When informal resolution cannot be achieved, the Access Board can initiate formal proceedings before an administrative law judge to obtain an order of compliance. For GSA properties, penalties for non-compliance can include withholding or suspension of federal funds with respect to the building or facility found to be non-compliant with the agency’s Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standard (ABAAS). Penalties can be imposed in proportion to the level of non-compliance found.

ABA Information Assistance The U.S. Access Board provides information about the ABA by telephone, fax, or email. Design professionals and others can contact the Access Board for general information, as well as technical assistance concerning specific ABA requirements, including those contained in ABAAS—GSA’s current implementing standard of the ABA.

Contact the Access Board at:

Phone (voice): (202) 272-0080 toll free: (800) 872-2253 Phone (TTY): (202) 272-0082 toll free: (800) 993-2822 Fax: (202) 272-0081 Email: TA@access-board.gov Information about the Access Board and its current activities may be found at http://www.access-board.gov mailto:TA%40access-board.gov?subject=

19GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1

Training The Access Board provides training on all of its guidelines and standards to various groups and organizations at locations across the country.

Training may cover accessible-design requirements for private, state and local government facilities, federal facilities, telecommunications equipment, and electronic and information technology.

The Access Board tailors training to the needs and interests of each audience. It is a particularly valuable resource to designers and architects, facility operators and managers, transportation professionals, disability advocates, and members of other professions and groups that work with any of the Board’s guidelines and standards. In Board training sessions, time is typically reserved for question-and-answer segments. This kind of interaction helps the Access Board to gauge the information needs of various audiences.

Training sessions are held at the request of, or in partnership with, organizations or groups holding conferences and seminars whose agendas include accessibility, the ABA, or the ADA. Due to budget constraints, the Access Board usually requests reimbursement of travel costs for its participation.

Board policy requires that these events be conducted in accessible facilities, with accessible communication

20GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1 formats upon request. The Access Board often arranges additional training sessions once it is scheduled to be in a particular area.

For more information or to request training from the Board, contact the Board’s Training Coordinator at training@access-board.gov (email), (202) 272-0017 (voice) or (202) 272-0082 (TTY).

Virtual Training AccessibilityOnline represents a collaborative training program between the ADA National Network and the Access Board. The program includes a series of free webinars and audio conferences held on a monthly basis, on a variety of topics concerning accessibility in the built environment, information and communication technologies, and transportation.

They are coordinated and hosted by the Great Lakes ADA Center on behalf of the ADA National Network as a mechanism to provide accurate and quality training on ADA accessible-design guidelines, ABA accessible-design guidelines, and electronic and information technology accessibility standards (Section 508).

Archived copies of previous Board webinars are available on the webinar site. Webinar attendees can also earn continuing education credits (CEUs).

mailto:training%40access-board.gov?subject= http://www.accessibilityonline.org/ http://adata.org/ http://www.access-board.gov/ http://www.adagreatlakes.org/ http://www.adagreatlakes.org/

21GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1

Approach to Main Entrance - United States Courthouse, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

22GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1

DESIGN PROCESS

Successful integration of accessibility into the design process requires a project team to carefully consider synergies across disciplines from a project’s earliest stages.

A project team must also foresee conflicts because sustainability, historic preservation, security, and visual expression can compete with and sometimes interfere with goals of accessible design. The following are a few examples involving GSA property types:

· Sustainable energy performance:

A new federal courthouse has lowered office and corridor lighting power density, as mandated by an Executive Order to reduce energy consumption.

Building occupants and visitors with low vision are adversely affected by the requirements, because they require brighter lighting.

5A. IDENTIFYING CONFLICTING GOALS

23GSA National Accessibility Program Ed. 14. 1

· Sustainable stormwater management:

A parking lot for a new federal building is designed with pervious pavers to help meet stormwater-management goals. The openings between pavers measure 5/8 inch. The architect is unaware that ABAAS Section 302.3 (Floor and Ground Surfaces, Openings) requires a maximum opening of 1/2 inch along the accessible route to the building.

· Historic preservation:

A historic federal building has a monumental entrance raised 5 feet above grade, accessible only by stairs. The State Historic Preservation Officer has determined that altering the entrance to include a wheelchair ramp would destroy historic fabric, and instead supports an option to convert a window opening near grade, adjacent to the main entrance, into a wheelchair lift.