Identify the services or programs to be included in the cost and profitability analysis.

 

 

Answer:

The direct costs associate with each service or program is the labor cost. GSA has learned through its design and construction experience that owner involvement at the beginning of the design process, starting at the initial planning stages, is the most valuable investment to ensure the excellence and cost effectiveness of the final result. (Note that the beginning of the process starts with planning and pre-design stages and continues through the design concept. The early stages of design, leading up to the concept, form the foundation of an excellent and functional design.) The design process for new child care centers or major center renovation/ expansions must begin with a high level of communication, particularly because a well designed center requires an array of functional and aesthetic requirements in a relatively small space and must satisfy a wide range of "customers." To accommodate this, GSA will convene a "design workshop," to which all interested stakeholders should be invited, including, but not limited to, property managers, the RCCC, the architectural and facilities representative from the Office of Child Care, the appropriate GSA regional safety professionals, as well as representation from the Board of Directors or the startup committee, the Agency and the A/E. If regional safety and security professionals cannot attend, their input must be provided. GSA has found that projects which start with a design workshop move ahead more effectively. Additional planning up front has been found, time and again, to be well worth the investment. This design workshop can also be associated with a partnering session. A partnering session can be highly effective in clarifying roles and responsibilities. It typically results in a written charter which the various attendees are invited to sign in order to commit themselves to taking clearly defined steps for collaboration on a successful project. 

Child care centers must comply with all Federal regulations governing general building types as defined in the latest edition of the GSA's Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service. Center design must comply with: z Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The design must accommodate children and adults with disabilities. z Historic Preservation Act. Modification of historic buildings or buildings deemed eligible for the National Register of Historic Places must follow specific guidelines. The GSA Regional Historic Preservation Officer should be consulted during the planning stages for consultation on renovating space in a building. 1. Which is at least fifty years old (or will be when the renovation is completed). 2. Which is deemed to be exemplary of a particular style. 3. Which has historic significance in terms of events to which the building is related. z Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG), US EPA, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. Through this document, EPA designates items that must contain recycled content when purchased by federal, state, and local agencies, or by government contractors using appropriated federal funds. Under E.O. 13101 EPA is required to update the CPG every 2 years. z Executive Order (E.O.) 13101 "Greening the Government Through Waste Prevention, Recycling, and Federal Acquisition," September 14, 1998. z Executive Order (E.O.) 13148 "Greening the Government through Leadership in Environmental Management," June 1999. Academy of Early Childhood Programs. This is a division of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Receipt of accreditation entails approximately one year if the center "passes" at the first opportunity. Accreditation is defined by the Accreditation Criteria and Procedures of the National Association for the Education of Young Children published by the NAEYC. 

GSA's Public Buildings Service (PBS). The GSA's PBS is the "landlord" for child care centers located in GSA-owned or controlled space. The GSA PBS typically provides finished space, and will provide planning, design, and construction services. Center rent is typically billed as "joint use" space. PBS collects the annual user charge from the sponsoring agency (ies). GSA, in partnership with the sponsoring agency, ensures that telephone services, utilities, physical maintenance and janitorial services are provided to the center and that the space is safe and environmentally healthy. Rent charges are set per GSA's pricing policy. It is GSA's intent to provide an operable center for the sponsoring agency(ies). The following are the baseline provisions for child care centers in the GSA system: z Standard finishes and features for typical office space prescribed by the latest edition of GSA's Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service. z Cabinets, millwork, and all built-in items as defined in the Guide. z Special finishes and features as defined in the Guide. z Furniture and equipment as listed in the Guide (subject to RCCC approval). z Power, conduit for wiring, and space for electronic communication and security equipment as defined in the latest edition of GSA's Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service. z Security equipment as defined by the GSA, based on the FPS Building Security Assessment for the identified site. Power, conduit for wiring, and space will be provided as defined by the latest edition of GSA's Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service. Security equipment requested for the center, but not required by the GSA, will be funded by the requester and provided by GSA. z Fire protection systems (e.g., fire detection, fire alarm, and fire suppression) as defined by the latest edition of GSA's Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service and as amended in the Guide. z Laundry equipment and a kitchen with heavy duty equipment, capable of accommodating full food service or meals prepared by an on-site cook. Specifics about the grade of required equipment must be clarified at the time of the concept design.