US Army Corps of Engineers awards ESPC III contract to Siemens

Siemens has been selected by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to bid on the design, construction and operation of a variety of energy savings projects across the US Government.

The indefinite delivery indefinite quantity energy savings performance contract (ESPC) III was awarded by the Army Engineering and Support Center to Siemens Government Technologies.

The cost of any project subsequently secured by Siemens will be funded by the energy savings derived from the conservation measures implemented by the company.

Siemens also guarantees the savings, which are expected to enable the federal government to advance President Barack Obama’s vision that calls for federal facilities to generate 20% of their energy from renewables by 2020.

Siemens Government Technologies president and CEO Judy Marks said: "As the largest single user of energy in the US, the federal government is leading by example through its commitment to improving the energy efficiency of America’s publicly-owned buildings and facilities, reducing carbon emissions and enhancing the nation’s energy security.

"We are applying our innovative energy and environmental expertise in energy efficiency and power generation to help them do that."

The USACE will hold the contract, however, all federal agencies such as the Departments of Defense and Energy, as well as General Services Administration and the National Park Service, will leverage this vehicle to seek industry help to achieve their own energy and cost savings.

The latest contract builds on earlier momentum by offering a new funding ceiling, an extended time-frame and an expanded scope beyond the US territory and into US government facilities in Germany, South Korea and the Marshall Islands.

An alternative financial mechanism, the ESPC helps federal agencies lower their energy usage without incurring upfront costs, and retain the associated savings.

Siemens already provides vital expertise for addressing federal energy goals and optimising energy management from energy audits and full programme design, to alternative financing that covers costs while energy savings are realised.