Federal Government Tech Center
Compliance through design–A Story We Cannot Show, but Too Important Not to Tell
This project began as a simple online request for pre-owned workstations for a Virginia-based federal facility. What unfolded, after months of remote meetings and careful planning, was a meticulously crafted OFC solution to meet the client’s highly specific and complex criteria.
Unique Challenges
The client provided AutoCAD drawings of the space, and OFC’s space planning team began addressing their occupancy needs.
Requirements included:
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- Separation of secure vs. non-secure areas.
- Distinction between open conference rooms and confidential meeting spaces.
- Strict regulations about which direction employees could face while seated.
Matching these requirements with the right furniture took significant back-and-forth, made even slower by the strict communication rules that came with working remotely with a federal client—limited time slots for meetings, restrictions on how information could be shared, and extra layers of review before decisions could be finalized.
Evolving Requirements
After navigating these challenges, all parties believed we had reached a final plan. But during the final review, new requirements surfaced—unbeknownst even to the client. We now redesigned for the following requirements:
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- One-meter separation between electrical and data wiring.
- Two fully independent sets of data cabling to support both secure and non-secure communications. (Think of it like an old-fashioned landline: if one conversation bleeds into another, neither line is truly secure.) These measures were necessary to ensure reliable performance and keep secure and non-secure lines fully isolated.
Solution
Product specification switched from our standard Knoll Morrison panel systems with a single base channel that houses both power and data to the Knoll Currents system, designed with multiple cable channels. By running electrical at the base and data lines at the top, we were able to achieve the one-meter separation.
To address the second requirement—keeping secure and non-secure data cables fully separated—OFC engineered a way to adapt the Currents system in ways not factory-intended. Ultimately, we ensured secure and non-secure data remained properly isolated.
Delivery & Installation
As this was an out-of-state project, we partnered with one of our trusted associates in the region to receive, deliver, and install the product. We arranged interstate transport with one of our freight partners and shipped product directly to our local partner’s facility. Because Knoll Currents is one of the more complicated systems to install, we sent both our Project Manager and one of our top Installation Supervisors to lead the crew and ensure quality assembly.
On-Site Restrictions
Government facility protocols included:
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- Installation only between 5:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
- No outside phone calls for resolving issues in real time.
- No photography allowed, preventing project documentation.
Mission Accomplished
Despite these hurdles, OFC pushed through. Every obstacle—whether technical, logistical, or procedural—was met with creative problem-solving and perseverance. From start to finish, this project was defined by constant challenges. By working closely with the client, OFC delivered a fully compliant, on-time solution that met occupancy needs within six weeks. It stands as a testament to our team’s ability to adapt under pressure while remaining committed to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction.
Location: Virginia
Industry: Government, Tech
Project Type: top secret
Selected Services:
- Space planning
- Internal moving & reuse of existing furniture
- Project Management
- Delivery & Installation
OFC Products:
- Remanufactured Knoll Currents/Morrison Workstations
- Remanufactured Series 2 Private Offices
- OFC CONNECT Custom Conference Tables
- Pre-owned Ancillary Furniture
Manufacturing Partners: Wyatt Seating
Eco Impact:
- Remanufactured 32 Knoll Currents workstations
- Remanufactured 4 Knoll private offices
- Supported reuse of existing furniture through relocation and repurposing
40+ items
~22,000 lbs
~6,480kg CO2e
This amount of carbon is what 76 grown trees would pull from the air in a year.
What Our Customers Say
Decades of furnishing, maintaining, and sustainably clearing offices—plus a track record of rave reviews.