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see INITIATIVE
INITIATIVE from page 1 to the task force.
“In addition to federal procurement, Buy Clean will cover federally-funded projects,” said the task force.
The group pointed out that last year’s infrastructure spending law included funds for GSA, Transportation and EPA to “designate and use construction materials and products that produce substantially lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions.”
It also noted that the recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act provides funding for retrofitting industrial facilities and tax credits for clean technology manufacturing.
“The federal government is for the first time providing a market differentiation and incentives for lower-carbon materials,” said the task force. “Companies across the nation will be rewarded for cutting carbon pollution across their entire value chains while supporting good American manufacturing jobs.”
More than a dozen agencies that account for nine-tenths of federally-financed and purchased construction materials comprise the task force.
In the future, the group will continue to launch pilots, expand the scope of industrial pollutants and materials, engage industry and establish mechanisms for collection and public disclosure of the data.
From the Ground Up
In March, the General Services Administration (GSA) issued new standards for the concrete and asphalt used in nationwide GSA construction, modernization and paving projects.
These were the first standards in the United States to apply beyond a local jurisdiction.
So far, seven Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-funded paving projects have been completed using the new asphalt standards.
All of these projects were awarded to and completed by small or disadvantaged businesses, said GSA.
“The historic passage of the Inflation Reduction Act provides a boost to these efforts with $3.375 billion that will allow GSA to invest in federal buildings with lower-carbon materials and sustainable technologies,” said the agency.
It also will allow for the leveraging of emerging clean technologies that help achieve greater carbon reductions and catalyze American innovation.
“These investments help boost the competitiveness of American manufacturers developing sustainable materials and technologies,” said GSA.
“Using domestic, lower-carbon construction materials is a triple win — creating good-paying American jobs, reducing energy costs and tackling climate change,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “At GSA, we’ve already started deploying standards that help reduce emissions and advance sustainable projects with little to no additional cost — while supporting small businesses along the way.”
Under GSA’s concrete and asphalt standards, construction contractors are required to provide a product-specific cradleto-gate Type III environmental product declaration (EPD).
An EPD is a third-party-verified summary of the primary environmental impacts associated with a product’s extraction, transportation and manufacture.
GSA’s asphalt standard requires at least two environmentally-preferable techniques or practices to be used during the material’s manufacture or installation.
These options include bio-based or alternative binders, recycled content and reduced mix temperatures. They are considered best practices that reduce fossil fuel use and environmental impacts.
Under GSA’s low embodied carbon concrete standard, according to FedWeek.com, contractors are asked to provide concrete that reflects a 20 percent reduction in the amount of “embodied carbon,” associated with its production.
GSA also will ask to hear directly from manufacturers, including small businesses, on the availability of construction material and products with lower embodied carbon.
Findings from that request for information will help the government understand industry trends and opportunities.
The investments are intended to reduce carbon emissions from the federal supply chain by millions of metric tons per year, save millions of dollars in energy costs and support GSA’s sustainability goals. Buy-Clean Commitments
The White House explained that the Buy Clean Initiative is a part of President Biden’s economic plan to usher in a manufacturing boom in America.
The economic plan includes the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS and Science Act.
“The initiative ensures that federal financing and purchasing power are creating good-paying jobs, protecting public health, enhancing American competitiveness and strengthening national security,” said the White House. “Today’s Federal Buy Clean actions build on Buy Clean commitments made earlier this year.”
Those commitments include standing up the Federal Buy Clean Task Force, and complements Biden’s comeback for American factories, which represents 668,000 added manufacturing jobs.
“The federal government is the largest direct purchaser in the world and a major infrastructure funder,” said the White House. “By leveraging the U.S. government’s purchasing power, President Biden is ensuring that American manufacturing is positioned to compete and lead, while catalyzing markets and accelerating innovation across the country.”
The Inflation Reduction Act boosts the Federal Buy Clean Initiative with $4.5 billion in funding for GSA, DOT and EPA to use construction materials and products that substantially lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The Inflation Reduction Act also provides the DOE with billions to invest in retrofitting industrial facilities and tax credits for clean technology manufacturing.
Through the Federal Buy Clean Initiative and Task Force, the federal government is for the first time providing a market differentiation and incentives for lower-carbon materials.
President Biden’s Buy Clean Initiative gets under way with instructions for integrating construction materials that feature low emission levels. see INITIATIVE page 114
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Howard University, Developers to Build Mixed-Use Building
Howard University in Washington, D.C., announced Sept. 20 that it is partnering with three development companies to construct a sparkling mixed-use building next to its main campus in Washington, D.C.’s historic Shaw neighborhood.
The plan is the latest real estate initiative in the university’s Campus Master Plan, according to The Dig, Howard’s news service.
The college is working in cooperation with Lowe, a leading national real estate investment, development and management firm in Los Angeles; FLGA, a Washingtonarea minority developer; and D.C.-based firm Davenport Group.
Howard and its partners will transform the 1.85-acre site, currently used as parking lots for the university, into a 10-story building with up to 500 residential units, 27,000 sq. ft. of retail and 246 below-grade parking spaces, including amenities for Howard’s community members.
“We are thrilled to partner with another best-in-class team that will build on the momentum of our Campus Master Plan,” said university President Wayne A. I. Frederick. “This project will deliver muchneeded housing and retail space that will serve Howard students, faculty, staff and visitors, as well as our neighbors in the community. Through this initiative, we are proud to support the district’s goal of building 36,000 new homes by 2025 to combat rising housing costs.”
In a statement, Lowe’s Executive Vice President Mark Rivers added, “Our team is working closely with Howard University to develop and execute plans and programs for the parcel that are consistent with the university’s mission to be a supportive resource for and contributor to the surrounding community, with an emphasis on diversity and inclusivity. This includes a robust set of mission-oriented objectives to provide exposure and opportunities for Howard students to careers in real estate, architecture, engineering and hospitality management as well as opportunities for minority-owned firms to participate in the development of the project.”
Project One of Several to Restore Duke District
This mixed-use project — along with others Howard is delivering with its development partners in the vicinity — fulfills and expands on the vision for the Howard Town Center Area Sub-District outlined in the District of Columbia’s DUKE Framework, a plan to restore the historic community as a cultural destination, The Dig noted Sept. 20.
Howard is currently referring to this area as the Duke District, a nod to the framework and the neighborhood’s past as the heart of an important economic, cultural, social and institutional center of a proud and accomplished African American community, most of which was affiliated with Howard University and its hospital.
In addition, the new effort will build on Howard’s reintegration of the historic street grid by featuring a public plaza along the future extension of W Street.
“This project is another example of Howard’s strategy to utilize long-term ground lease structures that preserve the institution’s real estate portfolio while allowing it to reinvest in its academic facilities,” explained Anthony Freeman, a real estate executive and head of Real Estate Development and Capital Asset Management (REDCAM) at Howard.
Freeman noted that per the Howard Forward strategic plan, the institution is planning to deliver over three million square feet of development in the Duke District and create “a vibrant, connected neighborhood” while building on the momentum of Howard’s other nearby projects.
The transaction is part of a strategic initiative by Howard to maximize the value of the school’s real estate portfolio. The Dig reported that the university has assembled a dedicated team of industry leaders in real estate, finance and law to further the initiative, including Hayat Brown and Lerch Early & Brewer.
The Lowe-led team is undertaking the development in collaboration with USAA Real Estate, with which Lowe also developed the recently completed Park + Ford apartment and office property, and the National Science Foundation, both in Alexandria, Va.
Construction on Howard’s new mixeduse facility is projected to commence in the fall of 2023.
Howard a Prestigious College
Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university made up of 14 schools and colleges. Students pursue more than 140 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The university has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients.
It also produces more on-campus African American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States.
Army Corps of Engineers Begin Railhead Upgrades at New York State’s Fort Drum
A formal groundbreaking ceremony took place at the U.S. Army’s Fort Drum installation in northwestern New York State earlier in September, marking the beginning of the construction on $31.5 million in improvements to the military railhead found at the base.
The project is being built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) with the goal of enhancing the ability of military personnel to deploy more quickly and safely, according to a news release from the Army’s engineering branch.
USACE New York District Deputy Commander Col. Matthew Pride spoke to the groundbreaking’s audience of U.S. Army officers, soldiers, engineers and Corps personnel stationed at Fort Drum.
“The importance of this project cannot be underestimated,” he remarked. “The new railhead will facilitate the ability to project power around the world more quickly and safely. All aspects of the new railhead are being built for a 40-plus-year design life serving Fort Drum well into the mid-21st century.”
Expected to be complete in late 2023, the upgrades will benefit the Army’s 10th Mountain Division ─ a joint team of specially trained U.S. soldiers and air personnel performing operations in rugged, mountainous terrain, and stationed at Fort Drum.
Reactivated in 1985 as one of the Army’s new lightinfantry divisions, its special capabilities enable a wide range of global missions, adding a new dimension to the strategic mobility of the U.S. Armed Forces. Modern Military Railhead
When the Fort Drum project is finished and operational next year, some of its new features will include: ï A mile of new railroad track, along with four parallel tracks and five new loading ramps, to allow for simultaneous drive-on loading of rolling stock. ï A container-side loading area, a capability the current railhead lacks. ï A 5,000-sq. ft.-railhead operations building offering restrooms and space for 100 soldiers to use as a break area from deployment operations, especially important during harsh weather. ï A scale house with a weigh-in motion and profiling system to hasten loading operations. ï A marshalling yard where railway cars are separated onto different tracks. ï An alert holding area, or control area, for equipment and vehicles prior to loading. ï A container-handling and storage/repair facility with a staging area. Safety is Priority One at Fort Drum’s Railhead
The USACE noted that safe rail operations are crucial to any successful deployment and require advance planning and training.
To that end, a Fort Drum safety officer and non-commissioned officer (an enlisted soldier with specific skills and duties) will be on hand to oversee operations. That is critical, the Corps of Engineers explained, as a great deal of labor is needed to lift/move heavy equipment, and hazards do exist, especially during adverse weather conditions. Safeguards must be in place to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.
The U.S. Army has experienced issues at railheads in recent years that lacked the latest improvements to its facilities, according to the USACE news release.
For example, a January 2019 peacetime deployment illustrated that very point when soldiers with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, were launching load operations for deployment to the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, La., when unusual weather conditions for the Deep South set in. Three feet of snow, blizzard conditions, and wind chills of minus 30 degrees hampered operations and created dangerous conditions for soldiers handling heavy equipment.
A local news story published shortly thereafter recounted the Army’s difficulties:
“On top of everything, we had a problem with guys staying warm,” said Sgt. 1st Class Charles Kohut, platoon sergeant for 3rd Platoon, D Company, 1-87 Infantry. “They’re on top of those trucks in minus-degree winds, gloves getting soaked from snow and ice. We had to rotate them out to get warm for three to five minutes before they had to come back. The closest building for them to get warm in was a little less than a mile walk.”
Fort Drum is situated close to the Canadian border where harsh winters are common. The military installation is a sprawling facility encompassing 107,000 acres, employing 4,700 civilians, and training some 80,000 troops each year with nearly 20,000 Army soldiers and their families stationed there.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District website New York District Deputy Commander Col. Matthew Pride (L) participates in a ground-breaking ceremony at Fort Drum in northern New York marking the beginning of major renovations to the railhead there. 72 Everett Road Albany, NY 12205 518-438-4444 abeletractor.com
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Volvo CE Launches Online Configuration Tool to ‘Build, Price’ Electric Equipment
Volvo Construction Equipment has created an online tool that allows customers to “build and price” their ideal electric compact excavator and wheel loader, marking the company’s latest advancements in both e-commerce and the introduction of electric construction equipment to the market.
“Construction equipment customers do a lot of research online already, and our configurator tool puts even more information at their fingertips,” said Jefferson Since Volvo CE first opened pre-booking for its electric machines in 2020,Yin, director of new business customers have been able to reserve a machine online. Now, they also can models and commercial intelli- configure their machine and instantly see the manufacturer’s suggested gence, Volvo CE. retail price (MSRP).
“We’re especially happy we can give them a price estimate because that’s something other brands aren’t doing. Customers will continue to be supported by their local Volvo CE dealer during the sales process and with ongoing support after their purchase.” Initially available in North America and Norway, the tool on the Volvo CE website lets users configure any of the electric compact machines in Volvo’s lineup with the features they want and see the suggested retail price.
Simplifying Buying Process
Since Volvo CE first opened prebooking for its electric machines in 2020, customers have been able to reserve a machine online. Now, they also can configure their machine and instantly see the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP).
The configurator tool will walk them through these options: ï Package — There will be pre-built configuration packages to choose from: each with options tailored to different applications and customer needs. ï Canopy or cab — The ECR25 Electric compact excavator includes a choice of canopy or cab. That option also will exist for the EC18 and ECR18 Electric compact excavators this fall (these are available for reservation now for a 2023 delivery). The L20 and L25 Electric compact wheel loaders come with a cab. ï Attachments — Common attachments will be available to select, and a dealer will follow up on any special attachments that may be needed. ï Chargers — U.S. customers will have two options to choose from: standard and high-powered chargers. Canadian customers will be able to purchase a standard 600-volt charger.
Ultimately, the customer will see a price estimate (MSRP). Their information will go to a Volvo CE dealer in their area who will respond within 48 hours, providing more detailed pricing and offering all the support and information they typically get from a dealer, such as an opportunity to demo the machine and financing options from Volvo Financial Services.
Starting as a pilot project in the United States, Canada and Norway, the new touch point will serve as a test bed for future solutions that could be scaled up for other markets.
To try the electric machine configuration tool, visit www.volvoce.com/united-states/en-us/products/electricmachines and select the model you are interested in. ALL ISLAND EQUIPMENT
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In accordance with local zoning regulations, three walls of the original 2,800-sq.-ft. home in Newton, Mass., had to remain intact so that an expanded 6,000-sq.-ft. home could be built. The three remaining sides of the original home were jacked up and the original basement of 7.5 ft. was excavated to 10 ft. The new residential area also will have a 10-ft. basement ceiling.
Edoardo and Carlo Fragale are very proud of their company’s rich heritage.
Their father, Paul Fragale, emigrated from Italy in 1964. He established Fragale Building Corporation in 1971 and incorporated the company in 1992.
When Paul founded the company, it had a primary focus on the masonry trade, which he had learned from his father, Paolo Fragale, in his hometown of Calabria, Italy. During the company’s humble beginnings, Paul would work doing construction during the days and then as a dishwasher at night. Edoardo and Carlo joined their father’s company after completing their college educations.
Most of the work that the company does falls primarily into one of two categories: masonry or excavation. Edoardo focuses his energies on the masonry side of the company while Carlo focuses on the excavation and civil side of the business. The vast majority of the company’s work is in the metro Boston area, and for the past decade or so, much of their work has been in the building segment of the market.
Today, Fragale Building Corporation has diversified its business supplying services at every phase of the building process, adding construction management services, excavation, landscape design and a sister company — Eastern Mass Crushing — which does custom mobile crushing and recycling. They operate today with 20 to 25 employees. Fragale recently worked on a project located in an upscale historical community in Newton, Mass.
Because the homes in the community are deemed historical, building a new home is virtually impossible and reconditioning an existing home is uniquely regulated. In this particular case, a home that was built in the 1800s has been completely torn down except for the bare structure of three original walls and the original roof line. The local zoning rules dictate that you leave three original walls in place but you can do virtually anything you want building and expanding off the home’s original footprint. In the case of this home, an addition is being added to the side of the home, along with a lower-level garage. The structure that was originally approximately 2,800 sq. ft. will exceed 6,000 sq. ft. when completed.
Fragale Building’s responsibilities on this project include all the site work, foundation work, civil engineering work, water and sewer drainage and the construction of a pool house for the swimming pool that will be a part of the completed project, along with all the hardscape work.
The terrain of the property has a downhill grade from front to back. The original basement of the home was 7-1/2-ft. Fragale has excavated out the original basement and
Dan Clifford (L), sales representative of Equipment East, and Carlo Fragale of Fragale Building Corporation. One of the workhorses recently purchased from Equipment East is a Doosan DX63.
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Fragale Building Corporation, Equipment East Grow Together
Fragale’s tri-axle dump gets loaded from a Doosan DX140 zero tail-swing excavator.
FRAGALE from page 58 has excavated in tiers the area of new construction with terraced levels of foundation in a manner that the basement area of the new structure will have a 10-ft. ceiling. To do that, the existing floor and corners had to be jacked up prior to full demolition. After putting shoring staging in place, new concrete walls were poured against the existing walls. Crews then jackhammered out the old wall, lowered the building back into place and demolished the rest of the house.
A significant part of the project is an extensive drainage field, which collects the runoff water from the driveway, as well as water from the courtyard. The overall drainage for the property includes (32) 4x4 galleys. All roof leaders run into a maze of 8in. ADS N-12.
Most of the earthmoving equipment fleet owned by Fragale Building is made up of Doosan machines purchased from Equipment East. “We started working with Dan Clifford at Equipment East early on when we first started looking at expanding our excavating business,” Carlo Fragale said. “Dan actually showed up at one of our projects; his timing was perfect, and he got us to try a Doosan DX225 excavator.”
“We were thrilled with that machine and soon after we asked him to send us a DX235 zero tailswing machine that we purchased shortly after,” Carlo added. “Transitioning to doing business with a smaller dealership and the Doosan product line was initially a tough sell for my dad. He had always done business with ‘the big guys.’ Dan arranged for us to meet the owner of Equipment East, Giovanni Albanese, and that made a difference for us.
“Doing business together, one small business owner with another small business owner who was fully vested in our success just made a difference. Doosan also does a tremendous job putting together the financial packages to make the financing work for us.
In addition to the Doosan equipment, Fragale Building has purchased a Wacker Neuson tracked loader, two Wacker Neuson rollers and three Ramfos hammers from Equipment East.
“Once we made the decision to grow with Equipment East, we really have never looked back,” Carlo said. “Our business has experienced tremendous growth and we have watched their business grow from a single location to three locations. I know when I pick up the phone and need them, they are almost immediately here. As an example, we were working on a project at Endicott College, and we had a machine blow a pressure relief valve. I put a call in to Dan and literally within 45 minutes they were on our site with the part we needed, and we were back to work shortly thereafter.”
For more information, visit www.fragalebuildingcorp.com and www.equipmenteast.com. CEG (All photographs in this article are Copyright 2022 Construction Equipment Guide. All Rights Reserved.)
