Standard Level Features and Finishes
Building Planning Issues
This section defines the planning and design terms, methodology and concepts used by the
GSA Public Buildings Service which apply to facilities containing U.S. Courts.
GSA Project Development Policies
The FPMR, Chapter 101-17, provide guidelines for tenant space allocations within
GSA-owned and controlled spaces. GSA provides three basic types of improvements for
tenant space: (1) "standard" space, which is reimbursed by the tenant agency to GSA through
a baseline annual user charge; (2) "special" space, which is reimbursed by the tenant agencies
to GSA through an adjusted annual user charge; and (3) "above-standard" improvement to
space which is paid for by a direct reimbursement from the tenant agency to GSA. GSA
provides special classifications for U.S. Court spaces in response to the U.S. Courts' special
needs. Please refer to the FPMR, Appendix A of Chapter 101-17, for definitions of special
spaces.
This document describes which criteria contained within the USCDG are provided within the
GSA standard, and which above-standard costs and provisions are born by the U.S. Courts or
other agencies. Note that some project-related costs for construction projects must be born by
the U.S. Courts or by USMS.
The PDS contains a program for each project that establishes a list of spaces and defines the
requirements of the project and the related budget for the project. All requirements must be
included within PDS budget, including known reimbursable work, prior to congressional
authorization of this budget. Once the project is approved, the scope of the project is
finalized, and tenant agencies must fund additional scope requested.
U.S. Court Planning Factors
In a PDS for a specific project, there are several important planning issues which should be
considered, including internal circulation factors, building grossing factors, basic courthouse
zoning and building configuration, planning for expansion and conversion of space from
April 5, 1996
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