VISN 8 - CIB Conference: VISN 8 - CIB Conference VA Parametric Cost Engineering System (VA/PACES) Bob Smoot (202) 565-6400 bob.smoot@hq.med.va.gov


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


Historical Costs: 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


QTO and Price: 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 Doesn’t Allow “What If” Scenarios More Appropriate for Bidding Work - Not for Early Estimates


Parametric Estimating: 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


VA’s Version of DOD’s PACES: VA’s Version of DOD’s 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


Background of PACES: Background of PACES Part of DOD's TRACES - Includes PACES and M-CASES (US Cost’s 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


VA/PACES Origin: 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


Why VA/PACES: Why VA/PACES Establish a Common Methodology for Generating Construction Cost Estimates Provide User, CO, OMB, and Congress a High Confidence Level in VA’s Requests Empower the End-user - Allowing Decision Makers the Opportunity of “What If” Scenarios


Benefit of Common Methodology in Estimating: 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


High Confidence Level: High Confidence Level During the 80’s, 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 VA’s use of PACES - Inferred Approval


Empower the End-user: 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


VA Medical Models: 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)


Pending Enhancements: 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


Pending Enhancements - Cont’d: Pending Enhancements - Cont’d 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


Pending Enhancements - Cont’d: Pending Enhancements - Cont’d 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


VISN and VAMC Roles: VISN and VAMC Roles Adopt VA/PACES as Your Standard Sponsor VISN Training Session Critiquing the Existing VA/PACES


Adopt VA/PACES: 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


VA/PACES Training: 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 FM’s WebPages


VISN/VAMC Feedback: 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


Resources for VA/PACES: Resources for VA/PACES FM’s WebPages - Cost Estimating FM’s Estimating Staff Bob Smoot (202) 565-6400 Talisman Partners, Ltd. Mike Moore (303) 771-310321