Section 2 of the Guide defines an eight-step LEED
evaluation process described herein will likely be
evaluation process based on the credit cost
appropriate and applicable to future versions of the
categorizations. The process is designed to focus a
LEED rating system, should the associated credits
project team's review of all 69 LEED credits by
remain similar. A re-evaluation of the Applications
establishing a set of "Initial Considerations" (steps
Guide and the Cost Study would be required if there
1-5), followed by a set of "Detailed Evaluations"
are significant changes to the LEED rating system.
(steps 6-8). The Initial Considerations steps
Intended Users
identify the potential "low-hanging fruit" in a GSA
project, e.g., credits that are mandated through
The GSA LEED Applications Guide can be used by
GSA's existing P100 Standards, or credits that can
GSA project managers, as well as design and
typically be earned with no-cost or low-cost
construction teams working on GSA projects. For
impacts. The Detailed Evaluations steps identify
teams that have experience with both GSA
credits that will typically require moderate-to-high
standards and LEED, the Applications Guide can
first cost investments. In addition, the Detailed
serve as a tool to quickly confirm the team's
Evaluations address credits with significant impacts
projected LEED targets and general cost impact
on design efforts, as well as potential credit
assumptions. For teams that are less familiar with
synergies and integrated design issues.
LEED impacts on GSA projects, the Applications
Section 2 uses one of the Courthouse models from
Guide--in conjunction with the GSA LEED Cost
the GSA LEED Cost Study (specifically the "low-
Study--can provide guidance and direction in
cost" Gold-rated model) to exemplify how the
setting a project's initial LEED goals. In either
LEED evaluation process can be applied to a GSA
case, the Applications Guide is not intended to limit
project. The LEED evaluation process is illustrated
the design team's consideration of sustainable
through a series of LEED "Scorecards" (Figure 2)
features or strategies to only those applicable to the
that list all of the available prerequisites and credits
LEED Green Building Rating System.
in the LEED program, with specific credits
highlighted that pertain to the corresponding step
Total for "GSA Standard" Credits
69
Possible Points
9
in the process. The scorecards utilize the same
Sustainable Sites
Materials & Resources
Possible Points 14
Possible Points 13
Storage & Collection of Recyclables
Y
Erosion & Sedimentation Control
Y
Prereq1
Prereq1
color-coded cost categorizations as the LEED
1
1
Site Selection
Building Reuse, Maintain 75% of Existing Shell
Credit1.1
Credit 1
Development Density
Building Reuse, Maintain 100% of Existing Shell
1
1
Credit 2
Credit1.2
summary table of Section 1. A blank scorecard is
Brownfield Redevelopment
Building Reuse, Maintain 100% Shell & 50% Non-Shell
1
1
Credit 3
Credit1.3
Alternative Transportation, Public Transportation Access
Construction Waste Management, Divert 50%
1
1
Credit 4.1
Credit2.1
Alternative Transportation, Bicycle Storage & Changing Rooms
Construction Waste Management, Divert 75%
1
1
Credit 4.2
Credit2.2
also provided in Appendix A for use by project
1
1
Alternative Transportation, Alternative Fuel Refueling Stations
Resource Reuse, Specify 5%
Credit 4.3
Credit3.1
Resource Reuse, Specify 10%
Alternative Transportation, Parking Capacity
1
1
Credit 4.4
Credit3.2
Reduced Site Disturbance, Protect or Restore Open Space
Recycled Content, Specify5% PC + PI
1
1
teams in developing their LEED approach.
Credit 5.1
Credit4.1
1
1
Reduced Site Disturbance, Development Footprint
Recycled Content, Specify10% PC + PI
Credit 5.2
Credit4.2
Local/Regional Materials, 20% Manufactured Locally
Stormwater Management, Rate and Quantity
1
1
Credit 6.1
Credit5.1
Stormwater Management, Treatment
Local/Regional Materials, of 20% Above, 50% Harvested Locally
1
1
Credit 6.2
Credit5.2
Landscape & Exterior Design to Reduce Heat Islands, Non-Roof
1
1
Rapidly Renewable Materials
Credit 7.1
Credit6
Overall, the Applications Guide illustrates how the
Certified Wood
Landscape & Exterior Design to Reduce Heat Islands, Roof
1
1
Credit 7.2
Credit7
Light Pollution Reduction
1
Credit 8
Indoor Environmental Quality
Possible Points 15
cost impact information from the GSA LEED
5
Water Efficiency
Possible Points
5
1
Minimum IAQ Performance
Y
Prereq1
Cost Study can support a LEED evaluation process.
1
Y
Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Control
Water Efficient Landscaping, Reduce by50%
Prereq2
Credit 1.1
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Monitoring
Water Efficient Landscaping, No Potable Use or No Irrigation
1
1
Credit1
Credit 1.2
Innovative Wastewater Technologies
Ventilation Effectiveness
1
1
1
Credit 2
Credit2
The Guide purposely provides only brief narratives
Water Use Reduction, 20% Reduction
1
1
Construction IAQ Management Plan, During Construction
1
Credit 3.1
Credit3.1
Construction IAQ Management Plan, Before Occupancy
Water Use Reduction, 30% Reduction
1
1
Credit 3.2
Credit3.2
that focus on the evaluation process itself. The
Low-Emitting Materials, Adhesives & Sealants
1
Credit4.1
Energy & Atmosphere
Possible Points 17
Low-Emitting Materials, Paints
2
1
Credit4.2
Low-Emitting Materials, Carpet
1
1
Credit4.3
GSA LEED Cost Study provides more in-depth
Fundamental Building Systems Commissioning
1
Y
Low-Emitting Materials, Composite Wood
Prereq1
Credit4.4
Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control
Minimum Energy Performance
Y
1
Prereq2
Credit5
CFC Reduction in HVAC&R Equipment
Controllability of Systems, Perimeter
evaluations of the individual LEED prerequisites
Y
1
Prereq3
Credit6.1
2
1
1
Optimize Energy Performance, 20% New / 10% Existing
Controllability of Systems, Non-Perimeter
1
Credit 1.1
Credit6.2
Optimize Energy Performance, 30% New / 20% Existing
Thermal Comfort, Comply with ASHRAE 55-1992
2
1
1
Credit 1.2
Credit7.1
and credits, as well as related LEED calculations
Optimize Energy Performance, 40% New / 30% Existing
Thermal Comfort, Permanent Monitoring System
2
1
1
Credit 1.3
Credit7.2
Optimize Energy Performance, 50% New / 40% Existing
2
1
Credit 1.4
Credit8.1
Optimize Energy Performance, 60% New / 50% Existing
2
1
Credit 1.5
Credit8.2
and detailed cost estimates that clarify the credit
Renewable Energy, 5%
1
Credit 2.1
Innovation & Design Process
Possible Points
5
Renewable Energy, 10%
1
1
Credit 2.2
cost categorizations used in the Applications Guide.
Renewable Energy, 20%
1
Credit 2.3
Additional Commissioning
Innovation in Design: Dedicated Ventilation System
1
1
1
1
Credit 3
Credit1.1
Ozone Depletion
Innovation in Design
1
1
Credit 4
Credit1.2
The Applications Guide also does not attempt to
Innovation in Design
Measurement & Verification
1
1
Credit 5
Credit1.3
Innovation in Design
Green Power
1
1
Credit 6
Credit1.4
LEEDTM Accredited Professional
explain the workings of the LEED rating system
1
Credit2
Total for "GSA Standard" Credits
69
Possible Points
9
itself; it is assumed that users have some familiarity
Certified 26-32 points Silver 33-38 points Gold 39-51 points Platinum 52-69 points
Note: Credits outlined in Red are considered "High Design Impact" credits.
with the LEED credits, and have access to the
COST KEY
current LEED Rating System and the latest LEED
Measures that are met based on GSA standards or mandates (no premium)
Reference Guide.
Measures with no cost premiums, or with potential cost decreases
Measures with low cost premiums (<50K for Models from GSA LEED Cost Study)
Measures with moderate cost premiums (between 50K - 150K for Models from GSA LEED Cost Study)
It should be noted that while the GSA LEED
Measures with high cost premiums (>150K for Models from GSA LEED Cost Study)
Measures not applicable to the project
Applications Guide and the GSA LEED Cost Study
Measures unlikely to be pursued on typical GSA projects
Figure 2. Sample LEED Scorecard with color-coded cost
are based on LEED Version 2.1, the principles and
impacts for selected credits (from Section 2 of the Guide)
GSA LEED APPLICATIONS GUIDE
3
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