Have a question about some aspect of working at NIH? You can post anonymous queries at www.nih.gov/nihrecord/index.htm (click on the Feedback icon) and we’ll try to provide answers.
Feedback: What happens to NIH computers, laptops, monitors and Blackberrys that are replaced with newer models? Are they donated or recycled? There must be a significant amount of equipment that is replaced each year and I would like to know if the old equipment is donated, and if so, where?

Feedback: What happens to NIH computers, laptops, monitors and Blackberrys that are replaced with newer models? Are they donated or recycled? There must be a significant amount of equipment that is replaced each year and I would like to know if the old equipment is donated, and if so, where?

Response from the Waste and Resource Recovery Branch, Division of Environmental Protection, Office of Research Facilities: Discarded government computers and cell phones are part of the “Go Green” campaign. The first priority is to redeploy property back to NIH for use prior to going through the disposal processes. The Office of Logistics and Administrative Operations manages the disposition of all discarded government property, including computers and cell phones. Visit their web link at http://olao.od.nih.gov/GovernmentProperty/DisposingOfProperty/DomesticDonationsSchools/.

This office does an excellent job of reusing the equipment through donations or government sales.

NIH also participates in the Federal Electronics Challenge (FEC). FEC goals include the reuse and recycling of discarded computers and monitors. The FEC also addresses the purchasing of “green computers and monitors” and achieving energy savings through various power-saving techniques.

Feedback: I am all for saving water but some of these waterless urinals stink to high heaven. Help.

Answer from ORF: The federal government has embarked on an effort to green our facilities to help reduce our environmental impact and to reduce operating costs. While many people are now familiar with and are beginning to see the effects of global warming, this is the opening overture. We are expecting water shortages and water quality issues to be the next big environmental impact.

NIH has several new rules that also require reduction in water use at federal facilities with the sole focus on bathroom fixtures and sinks in our buildings. Waterless urinals are just now becoming popular for their ability to save 40,000 gallons a year per unit. These units require a different type of maintenance compared to conventional urinals. When properly maintained, these units are typically odorless. We recommend that when you notice odor issues, report them to the ORF Maintenance Operations Center at http://58000.nih.gov or call (301) 435-8000.

Feedback: Feedback in the 1/23 and 7/10 issues this year highlighted disturbing parking issues in MLP-10. Regardless of Division of Amenities and Transportation Services review findings, there is indeed a dramatic decrease in parking space availability at 8:30 a.m. that has not been alleviated by summer vacations. It is especially upsetting to employees when we drive by those recently reserved spaces on level 4, many of which are never occupied, regardless of the time of day. Obviously, that many special spaces are not needed in MLP-10. What does ORS plan to do to alleviate this parking problem?

Answer from ORS: As mentioned previously, the analysis from the Division of Amenities and Transportation Services could not determine any single identifiable reason for an increase in traffic volume on the NIH campus, including at MLP-10. Traffic counts to the campus remain consistent with previous years’ numbers.

If MLP-10 is full, ample parking remains available at other locations on the campus. Employee lots MLP-8 and Lot 41 both continue to have spaces available and are served regularly by NIH shuttle buses.

Regarding the newly created reserve spaces, these are spaces that NIH established to recognize the achievements of our leading scientists that meet stringent criteria. A block of 10 spaces in MLP-10 was set aside for IC senior staff located off-campus for situations when they need to attend meetings or collaborate with their research colleagues on the main campus. DATS is monitoring the use of these spaces and will make adjustments as necessary.