Administration
This office works closely with the university's Human Resources Department and handles all Physical Plant personnel actions. This includes timekeeping functions, recruitment, personnel job descriptions, performance evaluations and disciplinary and grievance procedures.

Building Commissioning and Warranty
The Building Commissioning and Warranty Branch is responsible for new building design input to improve maintainability and operability. This branch represents Physical Plant interests during the design, construction, startup and warranty phase of new construction. It recommends the adoption of building standards for new buildings and renovation work to ensure past problems experienced are not repeated and to allow well performing materials and equipment to be procured again when needed. During the construction of a new building/renovation project, this branch provides information on existing systems and conditions along with assisting in the coordination between the Contractors and other University Departments. Upon completion of a new building/renovation project, this branch tracks and distributes As-built Drawings for archival, Operation and Maintenance Manuals, Equipment and Systems Training and any required Extra Materials included in the project. Additionally, the Building Commissioning and Warranty Branch maintains warranty information for new buildings/renovations and manages work performed by contractors under the conditions of the warranties.

Code Compliance
As a State agency, George Mason University has received delegated authority to act as agents for the Virginia Department of General Services, Division of Engineering and Buildings (DEB). In this capacity, George Mason is responsible for ensuring all non-Capital Outlay construction work being performed on George Mason University property meets the requirements of the Virginia Uniform State-wide Building Code (VUSBC). The Code Compliance Office fulfills this responsibility by providing plans review, building permits, and inspections similar to that of the local building code official at the city and county levels. The Code Compliance Office is also tasked with quarterly and annual inspections of all fire alarm and fire suppression systems as required by the VUSBC and Fire Prevention Code. We also perform annual inspections and maintenance of over 950 fire extinguishers distributed throughout the university.

Contracts
The Contracts Department administers and oversees the work accomplished through numerous contractors around the university. This includes oversight of over 25 service contracts for work such as grounds maintenance, building alterations, HVAC repairs, concrete and asphalt site improvements and repairs. The work is done using open-ended contracts for specific type of work, and through one time bids for larger projects.

Customer Service Center
The Customer Service Center receives, processes, schedules and tracks all work requests received from university departments, either by telephone, submitted work request forms or online.

Energy Management and Utilities
Our Energy management staff manages campus energy usage and forecasts future energy needs for the University. The department develops effective strategies to manage energy consumption and we initiate projects to decrease energy usage across our campus. The Physical Plant has several projects underway to install electronic metering devices in all E&G and Auxiliary buildings on all campuses. These devices measure electrical consumption, power factor, building peak loads and other useful information that allows the department to track consumption and have historical information for energy auditing purposes. We are also currently installing flow meters in strategic locations on campus to properly measure heating and cooling water usage. We stay in close communication with our energy providers such as Dominion Virginia Power, NOVEC, Fairfax County Water, Fairfax City Water, Prince William Water Authority, Columbia Gas, and Washington Gas to keep the University on the leading edge of energy saving technology. We are actively involved in meetings with the Utility companies and the State Corporation Commission to insure the University receives the best possible rates within the utility�s tariffs. The staff works closely with the Department of Mines, Minerals & Energy concerning grants for energy projects to help reduce the upfront costs to the University. We are currently drafting the Energy Plan for the University to meet the requirements of the Governor's executive order # 54.

Engineering
The Engineering Department provides estimate for work requests for customers that are initially looking for pricing and scope determination for their projects. These projects usually involve more than one building trade and require site investigations and engineering calculations. Estimates and sketches are done using both in-house estimates and open-ended Architect / Engineering contracts. The use of Architect / Engineering contracts require funding by the requesting organization.

Housekeeping
The Housekeeping Department seeks to provide a clean and healthy environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests in the academic campus buildings. Presently, the Housekeeping staff is responsible for approximately 2,000,000 square feet of space that is used by more than 28,000 people.

Infrastructure and Records
The Infrastructure and Records Office is responsible for the facility condition assessment and inspection of all buildings and infrastructure at the three George Mason University campuses, and the history files and records for those assets. Examples of the files and records include the final project as-built drawings, and equipment and material submittals and catalog cuts. The Office works closely with the other Physical Plant departments, especially Contracts and Operations, to verify the accuracy of project scope and documentation.

Operations
This department manages both the routine and special operational, financial, and personnel activities relative to maintenance, repair, minor construction, alteration, and operation of the grounds, buildings and other physical facilities of the university. This includes almost all of the Physical Plant shop forces with a staff of approximately 80 full-time regular and skilled trade personnel and approximately 40 wage employees. The professional staff plans, organizes and directs the carpentry, painting and signs, grounds, electrical, HVAC, plumbing and waste management and recycling program. Also included under this department are the emergency response programs for snow, wind damage and flood occurrences.