Grunley Construction Co. served as the general contractor on the project. Bovis Lend Lease took on the role of construction manager.

The Powell Building was originally built in 1974 by Gulf Reston, the developer of the community--now a full-fledged city--of Reston. Located in Fairfax County, the building sits on a 104-acre campus just off the Dulles Airport Access Rd. The upgrade process was conducted in eight phases over an approximately five-year period, and reached completion about seven months ahead of schedule.

"GSA worked closely with USGS to accomplish this major renovation project without disrupting the important work that takes place in these laboratories," says Donald C. Williams, regional administrator for GSA's National Capital Region. To that end, much of the renovation activities took place at night.