VISN 8 CIB Conference

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VISN 8 - CIB Conference

• VA Parametric Cost Engineering System (VA/PACES)
• Bob Smoot [phone]
• bob.smoot_at_hq.med.va.gov

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Estimating Construction Costs

• Historical Costs and Index
• Take-off and Pricing of a Developed Design
• Parametric Estimating

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Historical Costs

• Probably the Most Used System for Developing
  Early Estimates
• Utilizes a Large Database of Older Jobs of
  Similar Type - i.e. NHCUs, Doms, ROs, etc
• Assumption - Same Space Planning Program to be
  Used for every Project
• Your Building has Same Constraints as Those in
  the Database

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QTO and Price

• Requires the Design to be Developed to a Certain
  Degree to Insure Reliability
• If Insufficient Design - Must Make Many
  Assumptions
• Tedious Undertaking for Results - CSI
• Doesnt Allow What If Scenarios
• More Appropriate for Bidding Work - Not for Early
  Estimates

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Parametric Estimating

• Allows User to Input Minimum Amount of
  Information to Create Estimate
• Uses Default Quantities Based on Similar Projects
  and Experienced Engineering Assumptions
• Pre-defined and Documented Engineering
  Relationships Link the Primary Parameters to
  Detailed Engineering Quantities

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VAs Version of DODs PACES

• PACES Background
• Origin of VA/PACES
• Why VA/PACES
• VA Models Available in VA/PACES
• Pending Enhancements
• VISNs and VAMCs Roles in VA/PACES

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Background of PACES

• Part of DOD's TRACES - Includes PACES and M-CASES
  (US Costs Composer Gold)
• All Military Commands, EPA, and GSA Use PACES
• In Use for Almost 20 Years
• Over 20 Million Has Been Spent Updating and
  Expanding System
• Originally in DOS now Transported to Windows in
  Late 1999

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VA/PACES Origin

• Started in 1993 Looking for an Easy to Use
  Estimating System for Early-on Costing
• Approval and Funding in 1994 to Utilize DOD's
  TRACES
• VA/PACES Came on Line 1996
• Almost Every VISN Has Had At Least One Individual
  Trained - Close to 150 People Trained

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Why VA/PACES

• Establish a Common Methodology for Generating
  Construction Cost Estimates
• Provide User, CO, OMB, and Congress a High
  Confidence Level in VAs Requests
• Empower the End-user - Allowing Decision Makers
  the Opportunity of What If Scenarios

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Benefit of Common Methodology in Estimating

• CO Downsizing - Initial Responsibility for
  Generating Costs Now Lies in the Field
• Utilizing a Formal Structure for Developing Costs
  Allows Others to Easily Review Data
• Ability to Share and Analyze Information is
  Enhanced
• Skill Requirements are Transportable Nationwide

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High Confidence Level

• During the 80s, VA had numerous Cost Limit
  Increase Requests - Now None
• VHA/CO Assured of Results are Reasonable and
  Repeatable
• Turn-around Time is Critical for Budget
  Formulation
• Comptroller, OMB, and Congress Aware of VAs use
  of PACES - Inferred Approval

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Empower the End-user

• Initial Strategic Plans Developed by VISN
• Limited Monetary Resources - Need to Optimize
• Ability to Analyze Impact of Programmatic Changes
  on Costs
• Biggest Impact on Costs Come From the Earliest
  Decisions

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VA Medical Models

• New Medical Centers - Includes VAHBS
• New Nursing Home Care Units
• New Psychiatric Facilities
• New Domiciliary
• New Clinical Addition - Includes VAHBS
• New Outpatient Clinic
• New Outpatient Clinic (Direct Leased)

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Pending Enhancements

• Update All existing Models with Fresher
  Examples - Except New Medical Centers
• Include Forms 1193 and 6227 as Part of Reporting
  Options
• Add VA Specific Models to Renovation Option of
  PACES
• Develop 8 Designs (CADD) and VA/PACES Models for
  H Buildings

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Pending Enhancements - Contd

• Add CBOCs and Expand Leased OPCs to Three (3)
  Size Groups
• Reconcile All Differences Between VA Build and VA
  Lease
• Add NCA Cemetery Models
• Add New and Renovation VBA Regional Office
  Building Models

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Pending Enhancements - Contd

• Add Parking Garage Models
• Add State Nursing Home Grant Models
• Add Homeless Grant Models
• Add State Cemetery Grant Models
• Develop a De-commissioning Model, including
  Hazardous Cleanup

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VISN and VAMC Roles

• Adopt VA/PACES as Your Standard
• Sponsor VISN Training Session
• Critiquing the Existing VA/PACES

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Adopt VA/PACES

• Insure Consistent Results and a High Confidence
  Level Among Network VAMCs
• VAMCs Will Feel That They Competed on a Level
  Field
• Compliments Other Cost Management Tools
• Facilitates Control Over Consultants and Change
  Orders
• Assist in Negotiating SBA-8A Contracts

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VA/PACES Training

• Sponsor VISN-wide Training for Those Involved
  with Capital Asset Acquisition
• Hold Training at VISN HQs - Build Team Atmosphere
  Throughout Network
• Each VAMC Should Have as a Minimum 2 Staffers
  Knowledgeable About VA/PACES
• Schedule of Training Costs Available on FMs
  WebPages

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VISN/VAMC Feedback

• Does VA/PACES Do What You Want - If Not, What
  Should Be Added
• Are the Existing and Proposed Models Relevant to
  Your New Mission
• Should VA/PACES have differing Reports Besides
  1193 and 6227s
• Should VA/PACES be Linked to the CIB Templates -
  Direct Feed of Data

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Resources for VA/PACES

• FMs WebPages - Cost Estimating
• FMs Estimating Staff
• Bob Smoot [phone]
• Talisman Partners, Ltd.
• Mike Moore (303) 771-310321