![](media/image1.png){width="1.525in"
height="1.2965277777777777in"}QUALITY PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL (QPC) MEETING

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

GSA's National Furniture Center (NFC) hosted its 48th Quality
Partnership Council (QPC) meeting on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 from
1:30 pm to 4:30 pm at the Crystal City Marriott in Arlington, VA. The
event turned out to be a huge success with over one hundred sixty
customer and industry representatives in attendance. Participants were
interested in learning about new partnership and teaming opportunities
from the guest speakers; thus, the meeting was themed "Opportunities to
Partner."

**[PRESENTING GSA'S 9^th^ EVERGREEN AWARD WINNER]{.underline}**

Congratulations to the GSA's 9th Evergreen Award Winner: **[Mohawk
Industries]{.underline} -**

Mohawk Industries, a leading producer of carpet and rugs for commercial
and residential markets, headquartered in Kennesaw, GA, was announced
GSA's 9^th^ Evergreen Award Winner. A Fortune 500 Company, member of the
Forbes Platinum 400 and member of Industry Week Magazine's "Top 100 Best
Managed American Corporations," Mohawk Industries was selected to
receive the award for its extensive corporate-wide programs and
commitment to build environmental considerations into their business
decisions. Formal presentation of the Evergreen Award to Mohawk
Industries officials will take place at a later date.

Presented twice a year, the Evergreen Award recognizes environmental
efforts of NFC business partners in the areas of waste prevention,
recycling, affirmative procurement, environmental preferability and
model facility. Applications for the next Evergreen Award, which is for
furniture suppliers, are due by July 15, 2003 and can be submitted to
Ms. Sharon Booker's attention. Sharon Booker can be reached via
telephone,

703-305-6341, or email, <sharon.booker@gsa.gov>.

QPC Presenters & Topics included:

# Mr. Miles Harrison, National Sales Director, Trammell Crow Company

*Topic: Opportunities to Partner*

The Trammell Crow Company (TCC) is an international company with offices
all over the world. They are developers of space and offer total project
solutions for any environment. TCC is a new vendor under the NFC's CFMS
schedule, and is interested in more opportunities to partner with the
Federal Government in addition to teaming opportunities with other
industry partners. Miles Harrison can be reached via telephone,
202-337-1025, or email, <mharrison2@trammellcrow.com>.

## Mr. Steve Robinson, Vice President, Government Sales, Knoll

### Topic: Systems Subcommittee Current Events

GSA is allowing vendors to bring Class B and Class C fire rated panels
onto schedules. Testing is required, but the Systems Subcommittee is
trying to figure out how to get around tremendous testing costs
involved. The Subcommittee suggested that certification by product last
5 years vs. 3 years and GSA is considering this option. The Subcommittee
also wants to make available a complete line of fabrics, but is
currently limited due to the testing requirements; therefore, the
Systems Subcommittee is working to offer customers a broader palette of
products. The next Subcommittee meeting is scheduled for mid-March.
Steve Robinson can be reached via telephone, 202-973-0410, or email,
<steve_robinson@knoll.com>.

-   **Mr. Frank Toth, Special Programs Manager, Public Buildings Service
    (PBS)**

##### Topic: Working with PBS 

PBS is quickly becoming a partner with FSS in terms of developing
schedules to bring best value to customers and taxpayers. PBS fulfills
many different roles including the FSS customer who purchases interior
furniture and furnishings, services, commodities and vehicles; the FSS
partner who shares Gallup Poll Data to merge customer inquiries in order
to progress, and serves as the construction partner for interior
furnishings; and the vendor who distributes information through 1) the
Federal Procurement Data Center Source, which lists PBS customers, where
they are located and how much money they are spending. PBS District and
Building Managers are available to share information as well. Leasing
Agents can disclose when a lease is due for its renewal and technical
experts are available to give FSS Contracting Officers specifications,
details and dimensions of new buildings. Frank Toth can be reached via
email, <frank.toth@gsa.gov> (**\*\*Note:** We ask that any PBS
questions, comments and/or concerns be communicated through Ms. Dionne
Everett at the NFC via telephone, 703-308-8312, or email,
<dionne.everett@gsa.gov>).

-   **Mr. Jon Moore, Executive Director of Professional Housing
    Management Association**

#### Topic: Anchorage Trade Expo

Partnership is a major focus for the PHMA. The Anchorage Trade Expo will
be held from August 24^th^ thru August 28^th^ at the William Eagan
Center in Anchorage, AK. Booths are \$1,000 (10 ft x 8 ft) and lodging
at the Sheraton Hotel, Anchorage, is \$135.00 per night. There will be
training for exhibitors and attendees, and the focus of the Expo is GSA,
Military MWR and Housing, and Army and Air Force privatization. It is
FREE for Federal agencies to attend. On 3/31/03, registration will begin
online at [www.mhli.org](http://www.mhli.org/), or you can fax in
pre-registration forms at 703-327-4005. Jon Moore can be reached via
telephone, 703-327-0742, or email, <jonrmoore@earthlink.net>.

-   **Mr. Chris Bennethum, Director, Marketing and Business Development,
    NFC**

> *Topic: Brief Biography and General Information*

Chris is the new NFC Marketing Director. He previously served as a
Customer Service Director (CSD) for GSA, and was stationed in Germany
for four years. Chris reviewed some of the handouts in the folders that
were distributed, and made reference to: the Federal Building Expo,
being held on 10/22/03 and 10/23/03 at the Washington DC Convention
Center and NEOCON East, which will be held in Baltimore, MD in December.
If vendors would like to advertise through FSS to the entire Federal
community, MarkeTips is the venue and Ms. Caroline Wenstrup is the point
of contact. Caroline can be reached at the NFC via telephone,
703-305-7628. Chris Bennethum can be reached via telephone,
703-305-6943, or email, <christopher.bennethum@gsa.gov>.

-   **Ms. Nancy Goode, Director, FSS Acquisition and Electronic Commerce
    Office**

#### Topic: e-Commerce & e-Buy

GSA's latest innovative e-Commerce tool is e-Buy, an online Request for
Quote (RFQ) system and is a component of GSA Advantage. Beneficial to
customers and vendors, e-Buy is designed to facilitate the request for
submission of quotes for a wide range of commercial services and
products that are offered by GSA contractors who are on GSA Advantage.
E-Buy allows federal agencies (buyers) to maximize their buying power by
using the Internet to obtain quotes, which will result in a best value
purchase decision. Through e-Buy, Schedule contractors (sellers) have
greater opportunities to offer quotes and increase business volume for
services and products provided under their Schedule contracts
(**\*\*Note:** Offers can include attachments (i.e. PBS drawings or
Statements of Work (SOW), and can be continuously changed). As of
January 2003,

e-Buy contained 3,631 RFQ's online. For additional information, please
contact the

e-Buy Helpdesk Hotline via telephone, 877-472-3777, or email,
<gsa.advantage@gsa.gov>.

-   **Mr. Thomas James, Director, Portfolio Operations, PBS National
    Capital Region (NCR)**

#### Topic: The Future of PBS NCR's Portfolio

PBS NCR is very driven and focused on its mission to deliver a superior
workplace for the federal worker and superior value for the American
taxpayer. In keeping with its mission, strategic regional and national
portfolio strategies and business products and responsibilities are its
focus. PBS NCR provides an array of services including real estate
solutions, facility management and engineering and architectural
services, project planning and design and project execution.
Additionally, they offer childcare, concessions and occupational safety
and health services. PBS NCR is divided into four service centers that
are responsible for providing services to their Federal clients in the
Washington DC area. PBS NCR is interested in strengthening its
partnership with FSS, industry and customers in order to add to its
offerings. Thomas James can be reached via email, <thomas.james@gsa.gov>
(**\*\*Note:** We ask that any PBS NCR questions, comments and/or
concerns be communicated through Ms. Dionne Everett at the NFC via
telephone, 703-308-8312, or email, <dionne.everett@gsa.gov>).

-   **Ms. Tami Riggs, Director, Triangle Services Division, PBS NCR**

Topic: On the Customer's Front Line -- PBS NCR's Service Center

The PBS NCR Service Centers are part of the organization that executes
the majority of PBS NCR's core mission. There is an extremely large
customer base including many of PBS NCR's unique assets. To name a few
are the Mellon Auditorium, Old Post Office, Ronald Reagan Building,
Telecommuting Centers, National Building Museum and Tariff Building. In
FY 03, Washington DC's inventory is approved to include building
repairs, alterations and investments, new construction and renovation.
Currently, GSA's PBS NCR manages 707 leases, with the majority of them
expiring within thirty-six months. To obtain current lease information,
please visit [www.gsa.gov](http://www.gsa.gov/). Select *Real Estate*,
then *GSA Inventory of Owned and Leased Properties*. Additionally, PBS
NCR welcomes new solutions for the following business opportunities:
Design and Construct vs. Integrated Delivery, Build out in Leased Space,
and Telecommuting Centers. Tami Riggs can be reached via email,
<tamela.riggs@gsa.gov> (**\*\*Note:** We ask that any PBS NCR questions,
comments and/or concerns be communicated through Ms. Dionne Everett at
the NFC via telephone, 703-308-8312, or email,
<dionne.everett@gsa.gov>).

-   **Ms. Rose Hudgens, Deputy Director, Procurement Operations, NFC**

> *Topic: Comprehensive Furniture Management Services (CFMS) Schedule*

Please come join the CFMS Schedule! Special Item Numbers (SINs) for this
schedule are as follows:

> [SINs]{.underline} [Description]{.underline}

-   712 1 Project Management

-   712 2 Assets Management

-   712 3 Reconfiguration/Relocation Management

-   712 4 Furniture Design/Layout

-   712 5 Packaged Environments

-   712 6 Assets Maintenance

(**\*\*Note:** Each SIN can be viewed in Schedules e-Library at
[www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov](http://www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov/))

Thank you! For additional information, please contact Rose Hudgens via
telephone, 703-305-5839, or email, <rosanna.hudgens@gsa.gov>.

-   **Mr. John Fichtel, Deputy Director, Customer Service, NFC**

*Topic: Security & ID Issues Update*

GSA is working to provide ID cards that will facilitate easy access into
any GSA Federal Building. GSA, however, is unauthorized to adjudicate
security clearances for contractors; DOD DISCO will assume
responsibility for adjudication of security clearances. It costs \$95 to
complete the NACIC, and once you obtain the card, you will have access
to 85% of all federal facilities under GSA control. John Fichtel can be
reached via telephone, 202-494-7581, or email, <john.fichtel@gsa.gov>.

(**\*\*Note:** Each presenter's handout is in the folders that were
distributed at the QPC.)

The QPC meeting served as a forum to facilitate communication between
PBS NCR, FSS and our corporate partners by encouraging discussion about
business opportunities with the federal government and allowing PBS NCR
representatives the opportunity to introduce themselves to the QPC.
Members of the National Furniture Center's Marketing and Business
Development Division serve as the bridge to your comments, questions
and/or concerns for PBS NCR. The point of contact for the NFC is Ms.
Dionne Everett who can be reached via telephone, 703-308-8312, or email,
<dionne.everett@gsa.gov>. The next QPC is scheduled for **May 6, 2003 in
San Antonio, TX** at the GSA Expo. We hope to see you there!