Program Development Study Phase
Overview of the Program Development Study (PDS) Phase
The Long Life of the PDS
The Program Development Study (PDS) phase provides GSA with a sound foundation
Years after its completion, the
quality of the PDS continues
to pursue the construction funding and design start for a project. A PDS is required
to guide or constrain the
for all GSA capital projects. In the typical project development and funding cycle,
project team's response to
the PDS usually follows the Feasibility Study phase by two years. The PDS is also a
unforeseen conditions, the
good method to establish project requirements for Prospectus-level build-to-suit
customer's revised needs,
lease projects.
constructability issues, and
ever-changing material and
During the PDS phase, the project team, customer agency, and stakeholders use the
labor costs. In many ways,
PDS to develop the project described in the Feasibility Study in greater detail. The PDS
the PDS is the last chance to
"get it right" (see Exhibit 5.2:
reviews and revalidates (or revises) all previous project assumptions, plans, and budgets.
Keys for PDS Success).
It proposes a reliable construction budget and implementation strategy for the project.
In GSA's Capital Investment and Leasing Program (CILP), the PDS serves as the "last
chance" to ensure that the project has the proper scope and budget before requesting
construction funding. It provides the foundation for the architect/engineer (A/E) to
begin design and establish budget parameters for the design process.
A successful PDS fulfills these key roles:
Updates site information and costs, based on latest knowledge;
Evaluates the Feasibility Study and other assumptions and confirms the
best alternative;
Identifies design directives to maximize the project's opportunities by
proposing the optimal budget and scope;
Identifies and minimizes constraints and risks by proposing the right budget
and implementation strategy;
Details the strategy, schedule, and budget for the procurement of
construction services;
Finalizes budgets for the shell, tenant improvement (TI), and security
(e.g., progressive collapse, blast mitigation, glass fragmentation line items); and
Provides detailed backup for the Construction Prospectus.
This section of the Guide summarizes PDS deliverables, describes the tools for
conducting the PDS, and outlines a process to improve successful completion.
(See Exhibits 5.1, 5.3, and 5.4.)
93
Previous Page
