Guiding Principles Compliance

Third-Party Assessment for Federal Agencies

GBI’s Guiding Principles Compliance (GPC) is the first third-party assessment program designed specifically for federal agencies to evaluate compliance with the federal Guiding Principles.

GBI’s GPC programs provide a simple-to-use survey, third-party assessments that include detailed reports, verification of compliance, and supplemental tools to enhance and clarify the Guiding Principles Compliance process.

GPC Program Features and Benefits

  • Seamless and more efficient path to agency compliance
  • Simple-to-use Excel-based survey used by project team and assessor
  • Third-party Design Review Assessment and Onsite Assessment or Post Construction Document Review to verify compliance
  • Detailed reports outlining the compliance status and recommendations
  • Supplemental tools to enhance and clarify the Guiding Principles Compliance process, including dedicated technical reference manuals
  • Demonstrate responsible use of taxpayer dollars

GPC Assessment Process

The GPC assessment process is intended to mimic the design and construction schedule, to provide timely feedback and a seamless verification.

Department of Defense Guiding Principles Compliance for New Construction
(DOD GPC NC)

Green Building Initiative’s Department of Defense Guiding Principles Compliance for New Construction & Comprehensive Replacement (DOD GPC NC) is a program designed specifically for DOD construction and comprehensive replacement projects undergoing Third-Party Certification (TPC) for the federal High Performance and Sustainable Building Requirements (HPSB) Guiding Principles.

Developed with and for the Department of Defense, the DOD GPC NC program validates compliance with Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 1-200-02 “High Performance and Sustainable Building Requirements. When a building meets the requirements of UFC 1-200-02 it is considered compliant with the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings (HPSB Guiding Principles).

The DOD GPC NC verification program is intended for use by construction & comprehensive replacement projects – beginning with the Integrated Design Team (IDP) Team – to construct Guiding Principles-compliant buildings. DOD Guiding Principles Compliance assessments include third-party assessor review, and a streamlined process to minimize the amount of time and effort required from agency personnel.

UFC Applicability

UFC 1-200-02, High Performance and Sustainable Building Requirements is effective for all DOD projects. To obtain the latest version of UFC 1-200-02, visit the Whole Building Design Guide’s web page:
http://www.wbdg.org/ffc/dod/unified-facilities-criteria-ufc/ufc-1-200-02

“Merrick has worked on a number of DOD projects and when it comes to third party review, our choice has always been GBI. From our experience on Green Globes projects and more recently GPC, the interaction and guidance from the assessors is priceless and GBI will continue to be our preferred third-party provider.”

– Tehmina Husain, LEED AP BD+C, GGP, GPCP, Sustainability Consultant, Merrick & Company

Guiding Principles Compliance for New Construction (GPC NC)

Green Building Initiative’s (GBI) Guiding Principles Compliance for New Construction & Modernization (GPC NC) is a program designed specifically for federal construction and modernization projects undergoing Third-Party Certification (TPC) per Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings and Associated Instructions.

The GPC NC verification program is intended for use by construction & modernization projects – beginning with the Integrated Design Team (IDP) Team – to construct Guiding Principles-compliant buildings. Guiding Principles Compliance assessments include third-party assessor review, and a streamlined process to minimize the amount of time and effort required from agency personnel.

Efficient Path to Sustainable Compliance

Green Building Initiative’s Guiding Principles Compliance (GPC) programs are the first independent assessment and compliance verification programs enabling government agencies to determine their compliance with the Guiding Principles, removing the guesswork from the compliance process, and improving the sustainability of federally owned, leased, or operated buildings.

GBI’s Guiding Principles Compliance sets the standard for accuracy, consistency, and credibility through a clear and simple yet robust third-party evaluation process. Our streamlined process and third-party assessors minimize agency personnel’s time and effort to verify compliance with the Guiding Principles. In addition to recommending improvements, third-party assessors provide a final assessment report verifying compliance for each individual requirement.

“Portland VA Medical Center is a stellar example of a hospital that has taken sustainability to the next level…[they are] actively working on sustainable initiatives and used innovative ideas to raise their environmental scoring within Green Globes.”

– Jane Rhode, AIA, FIIDA, ACHA, AAHID, GGA

Guiding Principles Compliance for Existing Buildings (GPC EB)

Green Building Initiative’s (GBI) Guiding Principles Compliance for Existing Buildings (GPC EB) is a program designed specifically for federal renovation and existing building projects undergoing Third-Party Certification (TPC) per Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings and Associated Instructions as referenced by Implementing Instructions for Executive Order 14057 Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability. The GPC EB program does not apply to new construction or major renovation projects undergoing compliance validation for the Guiding Principles.

Developed for federal agencies, the GPC EB program validates compliance with the Guiding Principles, and buildings qualify towards an agency’s sustainable building progress when meeting the requirements as specified within GBI’s GPC EB Survey and Technical Reference Manual.