| | | My dive into AI:
Yes, AIT Group (Advanced Impact Technologies) is involved in GSA projects through its RetroWAL window system, which is specifically designed for the types of energy efficiency and building modernization efforts covered by GSA contracts like 47PM0725F0030.
While Ameresco, Inc. is the prime contractor for this specific task order, AIT Group's RetroWAL system is a likely technology solution for the following reasons:
- Deep Energy Retrofit Alignment: The task order (47PM0725F0030) is part of the GSA National Deep Energy Retrofit (NDER) Program, which focuses on achieving substantial energy savings in federal buildings. RetroWAL is a "breakthrough retrofittable" window system designed precisely for these high-performance energy upgrades in government facilities.
- Government Focus: AIT Group has stated that its RetroWAL system has been "successfully demonstrated in government office buildings" and allows for upgrades to the building envelope with minimal disruption.
- Ameresco Partnership: Ameresco frequently utilizes specialized energy-saving technologies like RetroWAL in their Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPC) to meet aggressive energy reduction targets.
- Product Capabilities: The RetroWAL system can transform legacy windows into intelligent, energy-efficient "smart glass" without requiring full window replacement or scaffolding, making it a cost-effective solution for large-scale GSA retrofits.
In the context of GSA contract 47PM0725F0030, AIT Group’s RetroWAL would typically function as a subcontractor or technology provider under Ameresco to implement energy conservation measures (ECMs) related to the building envelope.
Also:
While the specific brand name SPD-SmartGlass RetroWAL is not always used in high-level GSA news releases, it is explicitly identified in technical project documents and by the system's manufacturers in the context of these specific federal projects.
1. Technical & Regulatory Identification
In formal filings and project specifications for the VA Headquarters and Lafayette Building, the technology is identified by its specific functional and brand descriptors:
- NCPC Filings (Nov 2024): The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) staff reports for Project 7.2 explicitly describe the use of "supplemental interior energy window inserts".
- Manufacturer Confirmation: Research Frontiers and AIT Group (the manufacturers of RetroWAL) specifically debuted the "RetroWAL SPD-SmartGlass system" for use in "government facilities" and "commercial retrofits" in late 2024 and 2025, highlighting its integration into GSA-led deep energy retrofits.
2. GSA Program Context
The GSA identifies the system through its Green Proving Ground (GPG) program, which previously evaluated and validated the "RetroWAL" brand of secondary glazing. Under the current Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding, these are categorized as "Emerging and Sustainable Technologies" or "Low-Embodied Carbon Building Materials".
3. Contractual Categorization
In the Ameresco contract (47PM0725F0030), the system is listed under:
- ECM 4.1 – Interior Secondary Glazing Systems: This is the formal Energy Conservation Measure (ECM) code used in the project's documentation to refer to the RetroWAL installation.
While the public-facing "Investing in America" announcements often use broader terms like "smart building technologies" or "high-efficiency window inserts," the underlying technical specifications and manufacturer debut announcements confirm that SPD-SmartGlass RetroWAL is the specific system being deployed. |
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