A Transformative Partnership:
KIPP DC and Normal Software

KIPP DC, a network of public charter schools with eight campuses and twenty buildings, set out to modernize facilities management and overcome the challenges of fragmented building automation systems and limited control over their own data. Through a trusted master systems integrator, KIPP DC discovered Normal Software and our Normal Framework (NF) platform, which offered an independent data layer (IDL) to streamline operations and enable smarter, data-driven decisions. Launched in 2020, this partnership has been instrumental in transforming how KIPP DC manages over one million square feet of educational space, creating healthier and more efficient environments for students and staff.

NF delivered a robust, open-source solution that centralized data from KIPP DC's various building automation systems, eliminating the confusion of managing more systems than campuses. By storing data in KIPP DC's own AWS account, NF ensured true data ownership and freed 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), optimizing building performance and guiding capital projects. Notably, NF normalized data across diverse systems, uncovering opportunities to reduce energy use and comply with Washington, D.C.'s Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS). For example, detailed data revealed underperforming kitchen spaces with high temperatures, helping KIPP DC prioritize mini-split installations for better comfort.

Collaboration and technical expertise were key to this project's success. Working closely with KIPP DC and their integrator, we ensured a smooth integration process, trending nearly all available data to provide actionable insights. NF's open-source foundation—built on BACnet, JavaScript, and MQTT—made it easy to evaluate vendors at the application layer, allowing KIPP DC to run cost-effective "bake-offs" to test FDD and CMMS solutions. This agility improved operational efficiency, with service providers able to access cloud-based technical data, such as VRF compressor metrics, without needing to visit sites in person.

Our work has empowered KIPP DC to achieve vendor independence and data-driven facilities management. By providing a scalable IDL that supports advanced supervisory control, asset management, and indoor air quality monitoring, we've helped KIPP DC focus on their core mission of academic excellence. This partnership has untangled the complexities of their building systems and laid the groundwork for equitable capital planning and improved student environments, making Normal a trusted partner in KIPP DC's journey toward operational excellence.