Home Resources Evaluate success, receive clarity, and comply with the Guiding Principles Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) offers third-party assessment of compliance for sustainable federal buildings. Contact us Learn more What we do Third-party assessment of compliance As the world’s premier third-party verification organization, GBCI offers federal agencies and the Department of Defense a robust analysis of your work to meet the Guiding Principles, coupled with dedicated technical support. Guiding Principles Assessment by GBCI Step 1: Register Register by review and distributing the Guiding Principles Assessment Handbook, completing the registration form and paying the registration fee. GBCI will ensure you have all relevant program materials, including instructions on how to connect with a GBCI team member and ask questions. If you’re also pursing LEED certification, we’ll streamline the process to avoid duplicative work. Step 2: Apply Review the appropriate Guiding Principles Assessment Technical Guide to learn about the process and explain all options for compliance and documentation. You’ll then submit your completed application and remit the review fee. Step 3: Review GBCI will conduct a review of your application. You’ll receive a report for each phase of review with opportunities to submit revised or updated information should GBCI have questions. Step 4: Compliance After the last phase of review, you’ll accept GBCI’s assessment results. Compliant projects will receive an official GBCI certificate. Guiding Principles Assessment Fees (per building) Note: Buildings also pursuing LEED certification do not incur registration or review fees for the Guiding Principles if applications are submitted in tandem. Silver, Gold or Platinum USGBC Members Minimum Organizational or Non- USGBC members Minimum Registration $1,200 $1,500 Design Review Project gross floor area (excluding parking): less than 250,000 sq ft $0.047 /sf $2,325 $0.055 /sf $2,740 Project gross floor area (excluding parking): 250,000 - 499,999 sq ft $0.045 /sf $11,625 $0.053 /sf $13,760 Project gross floor area (excluding parking): 500,000 - 749,999 sq ft $0.041 /sf $22,500 $0.049 /sf $26,625 Construction Review Project gross floor area (excluding parking): less than 250,000 sq ft $0.016 /sf $775 $0.018 /sf $910 Project gross floor area (excluding parking): 250,000 - 499,999 sq ft $0.015 /sf $3,875 $0.018 /sf $4,585 Project gross floor area (excluding parking): 500,000 - 749,999 sq ft $0.014 /sf $7,500 $0.016 /sf $8,875 Appeals $500 (per Requirement) Start now: Complete the Registration Form About the Guiding Principles Guidance for federal agencies The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) provides guidance to help federal agencies comply with the 2016 Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings, which were issued by the Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) on February 26, 2016. The assessment by GBCI is a comprehensive verification of all six categories included in the Guiding Principles: 1. Employ integrated design 2. Optimize energy performance 3. Protect and conserve water 4. Enhance indoor environmental quality 5. Reduce environmental impact of materials 6. Assess and consider climate change risks The Guiding Principles are used by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to score federal agencies' progress and compliance within the "Green Buildings" category on annual agency OMB Sustainability/Energy Scorecards. The Department of Defense incorporates the Guiding Principles requirements into their Unified Facilities Criteria High Performance and Sustainable Building Requirements, UFC 1-200-02, the criteria against which GBCI conducts the third party review. Simple tools and clear guidance from an experienced team that you know and trust Explore compliance resources Learn more about GBCI Home Resources Contact Legal Press © Copyright 2021 GBCI. All Rights Reserved.