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Procedures Used by Federal Agencies to Prepare Budget Estimates for Construction (1987) / Chapter Skim
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'Early Budget Estimating in the Veterans Administration'
Pages 37-40

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From page 37...
... , unlike such agencies as the Army Corps of Engineers and the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, has no districts or divisions that develop cost estimates for major construction projects. The Cost Engineering Service in the VA's Office of Facilities is the sole preparer and reviewer of cost estimates for major VA construction projects.
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From page 38...
... Table 1 Conceptual Estimates for Seven Alternative Design Concepts for a VA Project Concept Estimated Cost Area (gross square feet) Sources of Space A $168,000,000 690,880 381,000 120,000 New Construction Renovation Work Unchanged Space B $176,000,000 690,880 440 , 900 60,000 New Construction Renovation Work Unchanged Space C $163,500,000 1,100,000 New Construction 0 $140,000.000 506,764 501,500 New Construction Renovation Work E $111,000,000 471,063 210,148 291,352 New Construction Renovation Work Unchanged Space F $247,500,000 1.500,000 New Construction G $ 91,500,000 393,266 150,000 351,000 New Construction Renovation Work Unchanged Space 38
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From page 39...
... In January 1984, after the VA had experienced a number of "cost underruns" (that is, low bids being far below budget) , the Director of the Office of Facilities directed the Cost Engineering Service to use "discount budgeting." This directive, which is still in force, requires the Estimating Service to establish construction project cost targets that are at least 10 percent below historical costs for similar projects.
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Key Terms

  • renovation work
  • cost estimates
  • construction projects
  • cost engineering
  • project cost

  • estimating service
  • design concepts
  • conceptual estimates
  • discount budgeting
  • lower escalation

  • engineering service
  • escalation rates
  • alternative design
  • cost ranges
  • major construction

  • cost targets
  • construction project
  • develop cost
  • establish construction
  • cost criteria

  • below historical
  • facilities engineering
  • recent projects
  • schematic plans
  • percent below

  • government estimates
  • budget published
  • engineering command
  • low bids
  • estimates form


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