About FMI

FMI brings together government, industry and academia with the goal of integrating, aligning and innovating all aspects of the Facilities Operations and Management profession through continuous collaboration on core competencies, curriculum, and continuing education.

Legislative Intent

Taxpayer investment in Federal facilities must be protected and leveraged through the cost savings involved in maximizing building performance. Achieving this level of performance requires a government wide program that stresses training and continuing education in the implementation of industry best practices and life cycle operations and management.
- Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Report (paraphrased)

Facility control systems are vulnerable to cyber attacks and it is important for facilities personnel to increase their cybersecurity knowledge. The FBPTA competency model includes several cybersecurity competencies specific to facilities personnel. This is a great foundation for understanding what facilities personnel need to know about cybersecurity. In addition, learn more about how facility professionals can protect facilities from cyber attacks in this document and the video below.

The following video of a presentation conducted during the NIST National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education National cybersecurity career awareness week provides an overview of cybersecurity issues for facilities personnel. Two experts in the area of cybersecurity, Daryl Haegley, the Director of Mission Assurance & Cyber Deterrence with DOD and Wanda Lenkewich, CEO of Chinook Systems Inc. share their thoughts and experience on cybersecurity risks and the role facilities personnel play in cybersecurity management.

• WBDG.org | Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act (FBPTA) Program Case Study
• FEAPC.com | Consortium for Building Energy Innovation - Career Mapping Tool
• DOE/NREL Job/Task Analysis - Facility Manager
• Federal Government Links, Knowledge Portals, & Publications

Program Points of Contact

AskFMI@gsa.gov

All feedback on FMI documents and notices that are open for comment should be sent via email to AskFMI@gsa.gov. Comments through other avenues will not be accepted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is required to comply with the Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act; are there specific occupational series?

All personnel directly involved in building operations and maintenance or energy management at the building level are impacted by the Act. Given the different approaches that each Federal agency takes to these functions it is not possible to list the functions by occupational series, however, in general this will apply to personnel performing facility management, building or installed-equipment operations, energy management, and safety and design functions related to facility or energy management. Personnel in these categories are frequently, though not always, in the GS-8XX, 11XX, and 16XX series, or, wage grade positions involved in building or installed equipment operations. Consult your supervisor, or, send questions regarding your specific situation to AskFMI@gsa.gov.

The Law

The Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act (FBPTA) of 2010 requires all federal personnel providing building operations and maintenance services to demonstrate competencies necessary to effectively operate government facilities.

• When: FBPTA became law in 2010
• Why: U.S. Federal Government is the largest property owner in the world and increased operational effectiveness can save up to $2 Billion annually.
• How: FBPTA requires individuals managing federal properties to have necessary “core competencies” to effectively operate government facilities.
• What: Facilities Management Institute (FMI) was developed to identify those required skills and create a roadmap for necessary training required to meet the needs of the affected professionals.

The Program

The FBPTA program can help you develop or enhance your workforce development program by giving a complete model of what competencies are needed for those who run buildings.  Even if you are not part of the federal workforce, the FBPTA program can be a great resource.

Start with FEDSAT. Completing it is a great way to see if you have the basic knowledge required by the FBPTA. As you take this open-book test you will see where you need additional training and find links to free, online resources to help. At the end you can print a certificate of completion that demonstrates basic compliance with this Act. How can you and your organization move beyond basic and set yourselves apart? Accelerate FM takes you to advanced compliance.

Training Providers

FMI does not develop training but rather connects federal agencies and their employees with relevant resources. Learn how to align your training to the FBPTA Competency Model here.

Resources and Documents

• Courses Reviewed and Public Comment
• Training Submission Template
• FBPTA Core Competencies & Recommend Curriculum (Competency Model)
• Proficiency Levels
• Accelerate FM User Manual and Training Guide
• Archive
• FBPTA Public Law 111-308
• DOE Better Buildings Workforce Guidelines

Training Videos

Want to learn more about SFTool sustainable procurement and plenty of other strategies and resources to create healthier buildings? Use the video resources provided on this page to get an introduction to these topics, brought to you by GSA and the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP).

For a larger video, click the YouTube icon in the player.