U.S. General Services Administration
Clearinghouse
This clearinghouse provides statutorily-required information relating to high-performance buildings, including technical assistance, tools, and resources for implementing best practices. We created this clearinghouse after the original, the GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool, commonly known as SFTool.gov, was sunset. SFTool was transferred to the National Institute of Building Sciences and became the High Performance Buildings Guide.
How to use this clearinghouse
Looking for more information on requirements or starting a project? Explore clearinghouse resources and featured sections in the topic tiles below to learn more.
Integrative design strategies
Find technical assistance and resources for collaborative design processes and systems thinking, including strategies for project teams and tools for conducting a life-cycle assessment.
Workplace strategies
Identify performance improvement opportunities and strategies by project type and space type, including synergies and guidance for reducing costs.
Procurement
Find statutory program requirements that apply to federal procurement of products and services, as well as resources for the federal acquisition community.
Learning resources
Discover suggested curriculums, continuing education opportunities, and other resources to ensure compliance with the Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act of 2010, which requires individuals managing federal properties to have necessary “core competencies” to effectively operate government facilities.
Emerging technology assessments
Explore innovative technologies that improve building performance, reduce energy and water use, and increase resilience.
Federal requirements and regulations for high-performance buildings
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
The stated purpose of EISA is “to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers, to increase the efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles, to promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options, and to improve the energy performance of the federal government, and for other purposes.”
Energy Policy Act of 2005
EPAct 2005 established a number of energy management goals for federal facilities and fleets. EISA later updated many of the energy management requirements in EPAct.
Energy Policy Act of 1992
EPAct 1992 established several energy management goals, as well as requirements for water and fleet fuel management. EISA and EPAct 2005 updated many of the energy management requirements, but requirements for low-flow water fixtures and alternative fuel vehicles still apply.
Energy efficiency standard for federal buildings
10 CFR Part 433 is the energy efficiency standard for federal commercial and multi-family high-rise residential buildings and Part 435 is the standard for low-rise residential buildings. Federal agencies must design new federal buildings to meet the energy efficiency standard according to when design for construction begins.
Federal energy management and planning
10 CFR Part 436 establishes the rules and objectives for federal energy management and planning programs to promote life cycle cost effective investments in building energy systems, building water systems, and energy and water conservation measures.
Federal Acquisition Regulation
The FAR governs how all government agencies are to make procurements. Specifically, Part 23 dictates how the sustainability aspect of those purchases must be made. On February 15, 2025, GSA issued a memorandum approving a class deviation to FAR Part 11, 18, 23, and 37.
Search for more information about laws and requirements relevant to federal buildings.
The clearinghouse exists to meet the requirements of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 – EISA, in a simple, easy-to-use fashion.