GSA Signs Partnering Charter with National Organization of Minority Architects

GSA # 10015
Contact: Ed Larkin, (202) 501-1231
edwin.larkin@gsa.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. General Services Administration today announced the signing of a Partnering Charter with the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) as a significant step forward to help ensure that minority architects are aware of and encouraged to seek GSA projects.

"GSA is committed to working with America's talented architects and engineers to provide a positive and productive work environment for all federal workers. This partnership charter with the National Organization of Minority Architects ensure that our efforts are as broad and inclusive as possible and that no opportunity for hiring innovating and creative architectural talent is overlooked," said Stephen A. Perry, Administrator of the General Services Administration.

Mr. Perry signed the charter on behalf of GSA. Also representing GSA at the signing ceremony in San Diego, California, were Public Buildings Service Deputy Commissioner Paul Chistolini and Edward Feiner, GSA's Chief Architect. NOMA President Drake Dillard, Architect, signed the charter on behalf of NOMA.

The objectives of the partnering charter are to establish ongoing lines of communication and the productive exchange of information, particularly as it relates to industry and government best practices and state-of-the-art design practices, between GSA and NOMA in order to produce quality Federal facilities at the best value to the American taxpayers.

GSA has Partnering Charters with many of the major professional design organizations in the United States including the American Institute of Architects, the American Society of Landscape Architects, the American Society of Interior Designers, and Associated General Contractors. These Charters foster cooperation, communication, and outreach. They engage the professional organization as a partner in GSA's efforts to promote design excellence.

GSA is a centralized federal procurement and property management agency created by Congress to improve government efficiency and help federal agencies better serve the public. It acquires, on behalf of federal agencies, office space, equipment, telecommunications, information technology, supplies and services. GSA, comprised of 14,000 associates, provides services and solutions for the office operations of over 1 million federal workers located in more than 8,000 government-owned and leased buildings in 2,000 U.S. communities.