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.

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

Benefits of Aligning Training to the FBPTA Competency Model

FMI does not develop training but rather connects federal agencies and their employees with relevant resources. To align your training to the FBPTA Competency Model follow the process described below.

FBTPA-Aligned Training will be included in the FBPTA Accelerate FM tool (AFM) where federal employees are searching for training to fill their competency gaps. As a provider you will be exposed to multiple federal agencies and their employees. Any training, private or government, that focuses on Facility Management and Operations, including the competency areas listed below, are eligible to apply.

1. Management of Facilities O&M
2. Performance of Facilities O&M
3. Technology
4. Energy Management
5. Safety
6. Design
7. Sustainability
8. Water Efficiency
9. Project Management
10. Business, Budget and Contracting
11. Leadership and Innovation
12. Performance Measures

There are no fees for a provider to align their training to the FBPTA Competency Model. The decision to align a training is based solely on GSA or other agencies' interest in the training and available review budget. A third-party contractor will be tasked by GSA to review training submissions.

Training Review Process

You can become an FBPTA aligned training provider through the following process to review training for alignment with the FBPTA core competencies. First, the training provider prepares a Submission Template explaining the learning objectives and course materials that apply to each FBPTA performance. A third-party contractor with expertise in facility management, energy management and building operations, reviews the submission and determines if the submission addresses each performance fully, partially or not at all. FMI works with the provider to understand and clarify the submission as needed. The scoring sheets for the training are then published on SFTool.gov for public comment. Training added to the curriculum through this process are considered “FBPTA-Aligned” and address the performances indicated on the Core Competencies and Recommended Curriculum, which is updated annually.

From a provider's point of view - GSA approves the alignment and sends a letter stating the training is FBPTA-Aligned and providing rules of engagement on how to advertise it.

From a student's point of view – The aligned training will be available on the AFM tool for the student to add it to the professional development plan to show progress in meeting required competencies are associated with their positions.

Training Provider Resources

• Training Submission Template
• Proficiency Levels