Most facility managers who have gone through the process say the most difficult steps are submitting the paperwork and calculations in the format LEED asks for.
"The hardest part was getting data together in the form they wanted," says Perkinson says. "One of the biggest tasks was getting our vendors to give us information in the right format."
But vendors are getting more sophisticated, especially those who offer green cleaning services, about being able to provide data tailored to how LEED-EBOM asks for it. "It's much easier these days to sit down with vendors and contractors, tell them you're planning to do LEED, and ask them to help," says Skodowski. "They've been fine-tuning their processes."
For vendors, making this process as easy as possible for their customers is essentially a business development opportunity, so facility managers are finding more and more vendors that are much better suited to help them with the submission process.
However, if facility managers really find their backs against the wall in terms of time or expertise for the required submission, there is an army of consultants who can easily step in to help with the process.
"Most FMs may only do one or two LEED-EBOM certification projects in their careers," says Skodowski. "But LEED is on a three-year cycle for updates, so odds are even if you're doing a second or third, it may be a different version of LEED, so working with a consultant who is familiar with the calculations in the current version can make the certification process easier."
Despite the varying degrees of difficulty with the certification, mostly as a result of calculations and submission requirements, the one commonality among these facility managers is that they're all sold on the benefit of not just the certification itself, but the process certification forced them to go through. It's a way of garnering good PR for the organization in general and the facility department specifically. It helps codify and systemize facility management practices. It helps save on operating costs. And it makes a facility more environmentally responsible.
"I'm a firm believer in LEED-EBOM certification," says Perkinson. "I'd definitely do it again."
FMs Say Formal EBOM Certification Not Expensive, Difficult
EBOM Certification Offers Independent Verification, Justification
EBOM Requires Three-Month Measurement, Certification Period
More Vendors Becoming Acquainted With EBOM Submission Process
