NASVH Summer Conference August 2019

1. NASVH Summer Conference August 2019 State Home Construction Grant Program Technical/Subject Matter Expertise & Support Presented by Elizabeth Yo, R.A.

2. Office of Construction & Facilities Management: Overview • The Office of Construction & Facilities Management (CFM) provides technical assistance to VA's State Home Grant Program: • Architecture • Engineering (civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and environmental) • Historical Architecture • Cost Estimating • CFM Supports Grant Office through technical reviews of state grant applications for feasibility and funding participation: • Federal Regulation, Codes, etc. • Design & Engineering Resource • CFM also assures quality control for the program by monitoring the design process and providing construction inspection services of the completed facilities, if needed. • Technical/Subject Matter Experts to assist/support the Grant Team and States.

3. Office of Construction & Facilities Management:Cost Estimating • Purpose of Including Escalation in Cost Estimates • All estimates should include an allowance for cost escalation/multi-year projects • Accounts for the inflationary cost growth that occurs from the time the estimate is prepared to the date contractors submit proposals • Rate of escalation may be based upon a nationwide average or adjusted due to local market conditions such as higher or lower anticipated construction volume, and higher or lower contractor competition • Enter the escalation rate in the proper cell of the Budget Justification Worksheet • Line Item Adjustments: • After award, VA may approve an increase/decrease up to 10%, as long as the change is within the scope or objective of the project.

4. Office of Construction & Facilities Management: Environmental Analysis • Phase I Environmental Site Assessment • Only needed if the project (a) acquires new land, or (b) involves soil disturbance • Identifies potential contamination that can affect project scope, budget, and schedule, as well as cause the state to have legal liability for cleanup • Conduct the study in accordance with “ASTM E-1527-13: Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process.” • NEPA Document • The National Environmental Policy Act requires federal agencies to review actions (including grants) for potential environmental impacts • For most state home projects, the NEPA document would be either: • Categorical exclusion (“CATEX”) – a one-page form if the project is a type that is listed in VA’s approved CATEXes (see form for list) and there are no extraordinary circumstances. VA reviews and signs both signature blocks • Environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact (“EA & FONSI”) – for projects that do not qualify for a CATEX or that have extraordinary circumstances requiring analysis of potential impacts. Coordinate with VA throughout process. • Please reach out to VA early to confirm the type of NEPA document needed. The EA & FONSI process usually takes six months or more!

5. Office of Construction & Facilities Management: National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) • All grants must comply with the NHPA. This can be time consuming – start early to avoid delays in funding. • States must review the scope of proposed work to determine any impact of NHPA regulations. For most interior renovation projects, states can submit a no adverse effect letter. Larger renovation and new construction projects may require the State to hire a consultant to perform surveys and work with VA staff to ensure NHPA compliance. The VA cannot exempt states from these Federal requirements. • Section 106 of NHPA, (54 U.S.C. 306108) requires that State and Federal agencies take into account the impacts of their proposed actions and decisions on historic properties, which are defined as places that are included in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. • If applicable, VA initiates consultation with the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Indian tribes, and other individuals or organizations (aka consulting parties) interested in the agency’s planned action (aka undertaking) and its possible effects on known or unknown historic properties. • The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) may confirm no historic properties or adverse effect will occur as a result of the project. If adverse effect is found, VA initiates consultation with the Advisory Council for Historic Preservation, a federal agency that works with other agencies to ensure compliance with NHPA. VA also coordinates with the SHPO and the State to mitigate.

6. CFM Point of Contact • Elizabeth Yo – CFM State Home Grant Program Manager • Email: Elizabeth.Yo@va.gov • Phone: 202-632-5924 • Questions?