RFI AI Software for Architectural Design and Management.pdf

U.S. General Services Administration

Public Buildings Service Office of Architecture and Engineering

Architectural Design Artificial Intelligence Software

Request for Information for Planning Purposes

Overview

The General Services Administration (GSA) is seeking information from industry on Artificial Intelligence (AI) software solutions to streamline and optimize architectural design and management processes across multiple disciplines. This RFI is for planning purposes only and aims to identify available AI-powered tools that can generate optimal designs and solutions based on programming needs, including compliance with GSA standards and other relevant federal regulations. This information may assist in the subsequent development of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for procurement.

Objectives The purpose of this RFI is to gather detailed product information, including software capabilities, functionalities, system requirements, fee structure, and any other relevant offerings from AI software vendors currently in the marketplace that can be applied to GSA’s Public Buildings Service (PBS) real estate portfolio.

The Government invites Respondents to submit information that could assist it in understanding the current market. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation and will not reimburse Respondents for any expenses associated with responding to this RFI, though the Government sincerely appreciates Respondents' efforts and input.

Scope of Request

GSA is interested in AI software solutions that address the following key capabilities:

1. Design Automation

a. Requirements Generation: given a floor plan and requirements (either space type or sf/workpoint needed), create space, furniture, and office technology workplace requirements, including identifying any considerations such as adjacencies and occupancy loads.

b. Design Tools: Timing and rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost with generating multiple design iterations based on programmatic requirements, government standards, and site-specific constraints and respond to and incorporate feedback.

c. Subject Matter Expertise Customization: ability for subject matter experts to create customized design scenario solutions across a variety of disciplines (eg, security, historic preservation, seismic, civil, landscape).

2. Space &/or Furniture Layout

a. Workplace Modeling: Predict optimal workspace configurations for commercial office space based on past usage patterns, anticipated future work activities, and other influencing variables noting what input information needs to be owner supplied or is, or can be, vendor generated.

b. Scenario Testing: Simulate different workplace strategies (open office, hybrid, flexible), their impact on team productivity, and the rough order of magnitude cost for implementation.

c. Automated Space Planning: Generate optimal layouts based on programming needs and GSA standards.

d. Generative Furniture Design: Configure modular and ergonomic furniture layouts for government offices that also maximize the ability of furniture reconfiguration and re-use in other locations.

3. Analysis Tools

a. Zoning & Code Compliance: Automate checks for zoning, fire safety, ADA compliance, and government facility standards.

b. Space Utilization & Circulation Analysis: Analyze space utilization, space efficiency, foot traffic or movement patterns, and occupancy flow. Assess ability to expand or shrink operations within a given footprint.

c. Daylighting Analysis: Optimize daylighting using building orientation, location, window placement, and sizing.

d. View Analysis: Optimize views using building orientation, location, window placement, and sizing.

e. Acoustic Analysis: Acoustic calculation using HVAC noise, partition construction, floor materials, etc.

during the design phase.

f. Automated Plan Checking: Review architectural plans for compliance with GSA standards, building codes, and LEED criteria.

g. Clash Detection & Conflict Resolution: Identify design conflicts and inconsistencies early in the review process.

h. Predictive Issue Detection: Identify potential construction issues, delays, or cost overruns based on historical data.

i. Smart Building Management: Analyze and optimize HVAC, lighting, and occupancy systems in government facilities for the purpose of cost savings.

4. Cost and Schedule Estimation

a. Material & Cost Optimization: Analyze and suggest cost-effective materials while meeting contract specifications during design while meeting the defined project schedule parameters. Provide rough order of magnitude costing to achieve a given design.

b. Procurement & Bid Support: Analyze vendor data and contract compliance for timely delivery of phased project execution from site mobilization through furniture delivery and occupancy.

c. Schedule Scenarios: Create resource loaded schedule scenarios.

5. Visualization & Rendering

a. 3D Modeling & Visualization: Create detailed, realistic virtual models of furniture & space layouts.

b. Style Transfer & Concept Art: Create concept renderings and mood boards for visualizing spaces.

6. Post-Occupancy Monitoring

a. Employee Experience & Feedback Integration: Analyze staff feedback and workplace satisfaction data. Track changes from initial design to final product and ability to incorporate those learnings into future designs.

b. Predictive Maintenance: Monitor building systems to forecast maintenance needs and extend asset lifespan.

c. Building System Monitoring: Aggregate various building monitoring system outputs as inputs into an overall building performance dashboard.

d. Occupant Comfort & Building Performance Feedback: Analyze occupant feedback and building performance

e. Building Performance: Implementation of continuous improvement strategies based on collected data.

Requested Information

Interested respondents should provide a capabilities package with sufficient documentation to identify which of the above priorities the company is able to address, along with a demonstration demo link. The package should include the following details:

1. Product Description

a. Detailed description of the offering/solution/product, including its capabilities, unique features, and the types of projects it is best suited for. Indicate which of the above key capabilities your solution addresses.

b. Specifically address the extent your offering is configurable to produce outputs that comply with specific design requirements or standards.

c. Define what, if any, functions, we as an owner may accomplish that can appropriately align responsibilities/knowledge as well as mitigate potential costs.

2. General Pricing Information

a. General retail pricing structures and models (e.g., licensing, subscription-based, or perpetual licensing).

Any pricing tiers should be included if applicable.

b. Total cost of ownership or use if used internally including onboarding, integration, training, and support for either program solutions or services.

c. Any volume discounts, enterprise-level agreements, or other pricing arrangements that are available.

3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Specific Requirements

All AI solutions are subject to Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at GSA Directive (2185.1A CIO) which established its AI policy from the mandates and guidance set forth from OMB’s Advancing Governance, Innovation, and Risk Management for Agency Use of AI memo (M-24-10). GSA’s directive established the governing policies for the controlled access and responsible use of AI technologies and platforms. It addressed the assessment, procurement, usage, monitoring, and governance of AI systems and software within GSA’s network, in conjunction with existing security, privacy, policies, directives, ethics regulations, and laws. With 2185.1A CIO, GSA will ensure its guidelines address critical issues such as bias mitigation, transparency, accountability, and the ethical use of AI.

Responses should address the following questions regarding AI:

● Does the solution intend to use Artificial Intelligence, AI, as part of the solution?

○ If yes, continue with the rest of the questions, if no, no other questions need responses.

● Does the AI used on the server backend or does the user interact with the AI?

● What is the intended purpose and expected benefits of the AI?

○ Description of the AI’s intended purpose, including: (1) what problem the AI is used to solve and

(2) the expected benefits and positive outcomes from the AI for an agency’s mission and/or the general public.

● Describe the AI system’s outputs.

○ Description of what the AI system outputs, whether it’s a prediction, recommendation, decision, etc.

● Is the AI use case rights-impacting, safety-impacting, both, or neither?

○ Refer to Section 6 of OMB Memorandum M-24-10 for definitions

● Does this AI disseminate information to the public?

● Does the AI use a public model or an internal model?

● Where does the AI store data?

https://www.gsa.gov/directives-library/use-of-artificial-intelligence-at-gsa https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/M-24-10-Advancing-Governance-Innovation-and-Risk-Management-for-Agency-Use-of-Artificial-Intelligence.pdf https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/M-24-10-Advancing-Governance-Innovation-and-Risk-Management-for-Agency-Use-of-Artificial-Intelligence.pdf https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/M-24-10-Advancing-Governance-Innovation-and-Risk-Management-for-Agency-Use-of-Artificial-Intelligence.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/M-24-10-Advancing-Governance-Innovation-and-Risk-Management-for-Agency-Use-of-Artificial-Intelligence.pdf

4. Data Ownership and Licensing

Details regarding the ownership of data and other outputs that are created by the software, including any licensing terms or limitations of reuse or resale.

5. FedRAMP Capability

Information on whether cloud-based software is FedRAMP authorized, or if FedRAMP certification is available, pending or whether the vendor is willing to seek FedRAMP certification. For more information on achieving Fedramp authorization: https://www.fedramp.gov/rev5/agency-authorization/

6. Implementation and Operations

Details on implementation and operation:

● Implementation milestones and general timeframes.

● User roles.

● Types of input data and method of input (manual, import from another software, etc.).

● Recommended training programs.

● Ongoing support options (e.g., customer service, updates, and maintenance).

● Types of government-provided data, content, or support that could reduce implementation or operational costs.

● Impact using your software will have on streamlining project workflows and processes.

7. Case Studies or Examples

Any relevant case studies or examples where the software has been successfully implemented, particularly in federal or similar government agency settings.

8. Security Features

Information about the security features of the software, including encryption, data privacy, and access control, to ensure compliance with federal IT security standards.

9. Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Protection

Details on how the software protects Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and government-wide policies. Include information on:

● Encryption standards used for CUI data at rest and in transit.

● Access controls and role-based permissions for handling CUI.

● Methods for identifying and segregating CUI data upon intake and processing.

● Inclusion of CUI filtering and redaction tools that may be configured by the user.

● Tagging CUI data based on GSA guidance and automatic detection protocols.

● Data retention policies and procedures for CUI storage and deletion.

● Measures to prevent unauthorized dissemination or exposure of CUI.

● Compliance with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-171 or other relevant federal standards for CUI protection.

10. Product Roadmap and Future Enhancements

An overview of planned updates or improvements for the software, including any new functionalities that may benefit government projects.

11. Additional Information

Details on additional capabilities or functionality that are not identified in the above Scope of Request. Please feel free to include any additional considerations or capabilities we have not asked about that you believe are critical to inform our path forward using AI in architectural and engineering services https://www.fedramp.gov/rev5/agency-authorization/ https://www.gsa.gov/reference/controlled-unclassified-information

Submission Instructions Interested vendors should submit their responses to this RFI by Thursday, July 3, 2025. Responses should be sent via email to Neal Deodhar at neal.deodhar@gsa.gov with the subject line "RFI Submission: AI Software for Architectural Design and Management."

Interested vendors should submit a cover sheet that provides the company name and description, company representative name and contact information, and responses to the ‘Requested Information’ items. Responses below 25 pages are appreciated.

All interested and capable businesses are encouraged to respond. The Government will not pay for any information solicited. One of the main purposes of this Notice is to assist the Contracting Officer and Program Office in performing market research for acquisition planning purposes.

For further questions, please contact Neal Deodhar at neal.deodhar@gsa.gov. No phone calls please. We encourage vendors to provide as much relevant detail as possible to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of their offerings.

Anticipated Next Steps GSA will use the provided information to evaluate the state of the market and available products in light of GSA requirements in terms of:

● Functionality and capability to meet the identified needs

● Compliance with GSA standards and other federal requirements

● Pricing structures and cost-effectiveness

● FedRAMP authorization or capability

● Ease of use and integration with existing systems

● Vendor experience, particularly with federal or large-scale architectural projects

● Technical support, maintenance, and training offerings

This information may assist in the subsequent development of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for procurement. If issued, an RFP would include more detailed requirements and formal procurement procedures.

Important Notes

● This is a request for information for planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or contract.

The Government will not pay for any information provided.

● All responses to this RFI will be kept confidential and will not be used for any purpose other than this evaluation and development of potential future requests for proposals.

● GSA reserves the right to request additional information or clarifications from respondents.

Thank you for your time and effort in responding to this Request for Information. We look forward to reviewing your submissions.

mailto:neal.deodhar@gsa.gov mailto:neal.deodhar@gsa.gov