VALUE ENGINEERING (VE) STUDIES : Conduct VE Studies for all MILCON projects with CWEs exceeding $2 million and all O&M projects with CWEs exceeding $1 million. Study teams are created using the OVEST (Office of the Chief of Engineers Value Engineering Study Team), FED, POD, and other Corps District assets. Currently, FED's VE Studies are performing with a 27-to-1 savings-to-cost ratio ($27 dollars of savings for every dollar spent on VE Studies).
Cost Engineering Section
OUR ORGANIZATION:
Presently, the Section consists of one GS-13 DAC Supervisor, a KGS-12 project coordinator, ten KN Architects and Engineers (KGS-11 through 12), and one KGS-6 Engineering Support Assistant. The ten Cost Engineers include three Architects, three Civil, two Mechanical and two Electrical Engineers. Individuals have from 15 to over 30 years of professional experience. They have worked in many fields of engineering including design, technical review, project management, construction, and facilities engineering.
OUR SERVICES:
* COST ESTIMATES: The Section prepares a wide range of construction cost estimates that vary from Budget Estimates to formal Independent Government Estimates. Project types include MCA, MCP, MCN, OMA, OMAF, DECA, DODDS, NAF, AFH, Republic of Korea Funded Construction (ROKFC), and Combined Defense Improvement Program (CDIP).
* JOB ORDER CONTRACTS: The Section also prepares and updates the Unit Price Books for three different Job Order Contracts: Areas I & II, Areas III & IV, and Air Force. The UPB contains over 6,000 work items.
* REQUIREMENTS CONTRACTS: The Section prepares and updates line items for several different requirements contracts including; asbestos, waterlines, fencing, asphalt paving, airfield paving, and insulation.
* COST ANALYSES: Decision makers often request cost estimates based on several different scenarios. An example is the Army Community Services Building that was destroyed by fire. Estimates were prepared for the cost for repairing the facility, replacing it in kind, replacing it with a pre-manufactured building, and replacing it with a pre-engineered building. USFK and the DPW based their decisions on the cost data provided by FED.
* CONSULTING: Engineers from companies, such as Exxon Oil and Construction Cost Systems, have come to FED to inquire about local cost data and construction practices in Korea. The Section often receives calls from DPWs and Field Offices requesting unit prices.
* TRAINING: The Section has provided training to the Yongsan DPW Cost Estimators in budget estimate preparation.
* REPORTING DATA: The Branch reports Korea cost data directly to US Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters and assists in developing regional cost factors, such as, Korea Area Cost Factors (ACF) and inflation rates.
* TECHNICAL EVALUATIONS: The Section conducts Technical Evaluations (TE) when the independent government estimate (IGE) and contractors proposals vary substantially. This often requires a detailed breakdown of both the IGE and contractor proposal to analyze the differences. The findings are a valuable tool in negotiating contracts and contract modifications.
* ASSISTS WITH CONTRACT AND MODIFICATION NEGOTIATIONS: Following a TE, the Cost Engineer is the person most knowledgeable of the IGE and contractors proposals. For this reason, the Cost Engineer often assists in negotiating contract modifications.
* NEGOTIATING BAFOs: After proposals are opened for new contracts, a TE is requested when the contractors proposals are not in line with the IGE. Negotiations occur using the TE and the contractors are then asked to submit Best and Final Offers (BAFOs). Again, the Cost Engineer is asked to assist with negotiations.
* DD Form 1391 (Budget) and 3086 (Parametric Estimates): The Section normally validates unit prices used in DD Form 1391s for MCA, MCP, and Major NAF programs that are submitted for Congressional Approval. The Section also prepares parametric estimates using PC-Cost Software from a 10% limited design package. When completed, the 3086 report is submitted electronically to HQUSACE using the 1391 Processor System.
* CDIP MND ESTIMATES: The Section currently uses the ROKG's
EMS-1234 System which is an estimating software and database used to create MND formatted estimates.
* MASTER PLANNING ESTIMATES: The Section has supported planning estimates for the Hialeah Relocation Master Planning effort.
* IBOP ANALYSES: International Balance of Payments (IBOP) analyses are done in two parts. One for all local materials and the other for all U.S. materials including shipping and handling. 50% is added to the local material estimate and is compared to the U.S. material estimate. If it is lower than the U.S. materials estimate then local materials may be used. If not, all materials must be purchased from the US with a few exceptions. All determinations thus far have concluded we use local materials. Local materials must meet the USACE guide specifications. If not, they are purchased from the U.S.
* NETWORK ANALYSIS SYSTEMS: Network Analysis Systems (NAS) using MS Project are completed by the Section for all projects. This is required to provide our customers an idea of when the project will be completed.
* FEMA ESTIMATES: When the situation arises, the Section is asked to take part in Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) missions across the Pacific. This includes conducting site visits to generate preliminary damage (PD) and damage survey report (DSR) estimates.
Program & Budget Team
OUR ORGANIZATION:
The Program and Budget Team consists of four positions: One GS-12 Program Analyst Team Leader, two KGS-09 Program Analysts, and one KGS-07 Accounting Technician. Experience varies from 1 to 18 years in the Program and Budget career field (CP-11).
OUR SERVICES:
* ENGINEERING DIVISION BUDGET: Annually prepares the Initial and Mid-year Budget and Operating Program for Engineering Division. (The Geotechnical and Environmental Branch has a separate budget since they operate as a facility and have a separate Revolving Fund Account for their activities.) Monitor the budget and operating program execution throughout the fiscal year. Perform cost analyses to ensure the division is executing within acceptable parameters. Analyze the division's budget versus actual and also budget versus commitments with relation to the Departmental Overhead account's earnings and expected expenditures.
* PURCHASE REQUEST AND COMMITMENTS (PR&Cs): Prepare Purchase Requests for Labor, Cash Awards, and In-House services for the Division. Issue Government Orders to other Corps Districts and DoD activities when necessary to accomplish mission requirements. Approve the funding portion of all Division PR&Cs, certify all labor, cash award and Credit Card PR&Cs, and obligate funds for training, PCS travel & perdiem cost. These actions are executed via the Corps of Engineers Financial Management System (CEFMS) and P2.
* PROSPECT AND NON-PROSPECT TRAINING SURVEYS: Annually receive notification of allocation spaces received and inform respective Branch Chiefs. Provide student instructions upon receipt and process funding approval for training requests (DD Form 1556) and Travel Orders. Training is managed through the use of ATMP (Automated Training Management Program) and the CEFMS database.
* GEOTECHNICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BRANCH PROGRAM SUPPORT: Receive funding from various customers for Geotechnical and Environmental Branch, provide MIPR technical approval, and create the Work Item and Resource Plan in CEFMS.
A-E Contract Support Section
OUR ORGANIZATION:
The Section consists of one GS-13 Supervisory Interdisciplinary Engineer, one GS-12 Engineer, and one KGS-5 Engineering Support Assistant (ESA). The Engineers have 28 years and 24 years of experience, respectively, in engineering, project management, construction, and in A-E contracts.
OUR SERVICES:
Assists the Chief, Engineering Division in managing and executing the Division's A-E contracting program as follows:
* A-E SELECTIONS: Assists the Chair of A-E Selection Board (AESB) in conducting A-E Selection Board meetings. Maintains information on current workload for each A-E firm - award amounts and selection amounts - for the AESB and generates AESB Reports.
* A-E CONTRACTS: Prepares RFPs, Independent Government Estimates (IGEs), and negotiates A-E fees for new projects as well as A-E contract modifications. Prepares A-E contract packages and assists Contracting Division in A-E contract awards.
* PROJECT MANAGER ASSISTANCE: Maintains the Standard A-E Scope of Work to include changes in technical criteria/code/regulations. Develops project specific scopes of work when requested.
* A-E PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL: Collects and distributes DD Form 2631, provides and seeks feedback from the A-E's based upon the results of their performance evaluations, and transmits completed forms to Contracting Division for inclusion into the ACASS (Architect/Engineer Contract Administration Support System).
A-E Contracting Support Section
OUR ORGANIZATION:
The Section consists of one GS-13 Supervisory Interdisciplinary Engineer, one GS-12 Engineer, and one KGS-5 Engineering Support Assistant (ESA). The Engineers have 28 years and 24 years of experience, respectively, in engineering, project management, construction, and in A-E contracts.
OUR SERVICES:
Assists the Chief, Engineering Division in managing and executing the Division's A-E contracting program as follows:
* A-E SELECTIONS: Assists the Chair of A-E Selection Board (AESB) in conducting A-E Selection Board meetings. Maintains information on current workload for each A-E firm - award amounts and selection amounts - for the AESB and generates AESB Reports.
* A-E CONTRACTS: Prepares RFPs, Independent Government Estimates (IGEs), and negotiates A-E fees for new projects as well as A-E contract modifications. Prepares A-E contract packages and assists Contracting Division in A-E contract awards.
* PROJECT MANAGER ASSISTANCE: Maintains the Standard A-E Scope of Work to include changes in technical criteria/code/regulations. Develops project specific scopes of work when requested.
* A-E PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL: Collects and distributes DD Form 2631, provides and seeks feedback from the A-E's based upon the results of their performance evaluations, and transmits completed forms to Contracting Division for inclusion into the ACASS (Architect/Engineer Contract Administration Support System).