A Transformative Partnership:
KIPP DC and Normal Software

When KIPP DC, a network of public charter schools spanning eight campuses and twenty buildings, sought to modernize their facilities management, they faced a tangled web of disparate building automation systems (BAS) and limited data autonomy. Introduced to Normal Software through a trusted master systems integrator, KIPP DC recognized the potential of our Normal Framework (NF) platform for an independent data layer (IDL) use case to streamline their operations and empower data-driven decision-making. This partnership, initiated in 2020, became a cornerstone in transforming KIPP DC's approach to managing their 1,000,000 square feet of educational facilities, creating healthier and more efficient learning environments for students and staff.

NF provided a robust, open-source solution that centralized data from KIPP DC's multiple building automation systems to create an IDL, eliminating the chaos of managing more systems than campuses. By storing data in KIPP DC's own AWS account, NF ensured true data ownership, freeing the school from restrictive vendor contracts. The platform's flexibility enabled rapid deployment of applications like fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) and computerized maintenance management software (CMMS), which optimized building performance and prioritized capital projects. A standout achievement was NF's ability to normalize data across diverse systems, revealing optimization opportunities that reduced energy usage and supported compliance with Washington, D.C.'s Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS). For instance, precise data highlighted underperforming kitchen spaces with high temperatures, allowing KIPP DC to prioritize mini-split system installations for improved occupant comfort.

This project's success hinged on our collaborative approach and technical expertise. Working closely with KIPP DC and their master systems integrator, we facilitated a seamless integration process, trending nearly all available data to provide actionable insights. NF's open-source foundation, built on BACnet, JavaScript, and MQTT, simplified vendor evaluations at the application layer, enabling KIPP DC to conduct cost-effective "bake-offs" to test FDD and CMMS solutions. This agility ensured operational efficiency, with service providers accessing cloud-based technical data, such as VRF compressor metrics, without needing physical site visits.

Our contributions have been pivotal in empowering KIPP DC to achieve vendor agnosticism and data-driven facilities management. By providing a scalable IDL that supports advanced supervisory control, asset management, and indoor air quality monitoring, we have enabled KIPP DC to focus on their core mission of fostering academic excellence. This partnership has not only untangled the complexities of KIPP DC's building systems, but also laid a foundation for equitable capital planning and enhanced student environments, positioning Normal as an indispensable ally in KIPP DC's ongoing journey toward operational excellence.