By Steve Rizer
A concern that has been expressed about the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program is that the review process can be too complex and lengthy. Well, the organization is hoping the “LEED Proven Provider” designation that the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) launched late last month will help alleviate this concern.
Proven Provider is intended to streamline and shorten the LEED project review process for “experienced organizations that demonstrate consistent excellence” in administering such projects. Organizations demonstrating and maintaining “high-quality” project submissions through Proven Provider will receive benefits such as greater access to a LEED reviewer and recognition from USGBC for their sustained track record of high-quality project submissions. Organizations with significant LEED project administration experience -- a minimum of six certified projects in a single rating system family -- are eligible to apply for the designation.
“One of the many things we’ve heard from customers is that the LEED review process can be complex,” said Doug Gatlin, vice president of program delivery for USGBC and GBCI. “Proven Provider rewards organizations that are submitting great LEED applications while speeding up the review process, which is a benefit that participants can pass along to their clients.”
USGBC also believes that Proven Provider will “create an opportunity for participants and LEED reviewers to work together to enhance the LEED certification experience and facilitate direct engagement with and support for project teams.”
The organization reported that Proven Provider has been beta tested by several experienced organizations in the marketplace.
In the ConstructionPro Network member version of this article, Dror Karni, USGBC’s director of Enterprise performance management, provides ConstructionPro Week some estimates about the amount of time that is expected to be saved through the LEED Proven Provider process.
