RG&A specializes in evaluating eligibility in the State School Facilities Program, preparation of application documents and actively participating on the district's school facility team. RG&A continues to provide the most accurate information possible to maximize State funding opportunities. We attend all State Allocation Board meetings, including subcommittee meetings and actively participate in the Implementation Committee meetings helping to shape new regulations and policies. By being current on the rules and regulations, we are able to provide the most current information available to our clients
RG&A provides assistance in planning and document preparation for all programs funded by the State Allocation Board including:
· School Facilities Program
· Deferred Maintenance Program (frozen)
· Deferred Maintenance Extreme Hardship Program (suspended)
· Career Technical Education Program
· Overcrowding Relief Grant Program
· Joint Use Program
· Charter Schools
· Audit Assistance
RG&A provides Developer Fee Studies (Level 1 study) for our clients.
As the requirements of the SFP funding program continue to grow, RG&A is actively working with others on the development of an Educational Specification template that can be used to meet the requirements of the California Department of Education’s plan approval requirements that become effective July 1, 2010. Local boards will be required to adopt the Educational Specification at a regular open meeting.
RG&A has established a working relationship with the State Agencies most involved in the State School Building programs. These include the following:
RG&A primary focus is working with the Office of Public School Construction with the goal of addressing any concerns and expediting the presentation of projects to the SAB for approval and apportionment. We keep up to date on OPSC areas of concern such as identifying ineligible project scope, project proration, passing the commensurate test and meeting time sensitive issues. A date stamped copy of a transmittal is provided to the client as evidence that the package was delivered within any time sensitive deadlines.
RG&A has proactively reviewed the probable scope of a project with the OPSC, prior to submittal, to insure that they are aware of the project. OPSC can at this time impart any concerns. These discussions have included reimbursements on old modernization projects (not previously funded by SAB), blending of several program application types into one construction contract, obtaining concurrence on health and safety issues and addressing specialized programs such as Career Technical Education, Joint Use or Charter Schools.
RG&A has created its own budget estimator that computes the estimated SAB apportionment and the commensurate funding level. The estimator is updated each time the SFP allowances are changed and is tested against approved projects to confirm its accuracy.
RG&A has kept up to date with the changes in the plan approval requirements of the California Department of Education (CDE). This has included the completion of the SFPD 4.07 and SFPD 4.08 forms. RG&A has prepared the newest of required forms called the SFPD Plan Summary – New School and SPFD Plan Summary – Addition. These forms are now required on new construction projects and some modernization projects.
Effective July 1, 2010, the CDE will require that a local Board approved Education Specification be provided as part of plan approval submittals. RG&A is working towards development of a process to address this requirement.
RG&A has met on several occasions with various CDE staff on the scope of work in the plans, identifying deficiencies and responding to those deficiencies in order to obtain final plan approval.
In order to receive a final plan approval from the CDE, the district must certify compliance with CEQA requirements. RG&A can assist with the filing of Categorical Exemptions. If projects require a full CEQA report, RG&A can recommend firms that are highly experienced in CEQA requirements.
Department of Industrial Relations
When the Proposition 47 and Proposition 55 bonds were approved by the voters, a Labor Compliance Plan (LCP) was required. District could have a District LCP or hire a third part provider to provide the review of certified payrolls in order to insure that proper prevailing wages were paid, per the construction contract.
Richard Gonzalez provided prototype LCP to clients which had been reviewed and approved by the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). He assisted the districts in obtaining DIR approval of their specific plan.
As part of the service provided to the client district, he assisted with conducting pre-bid and post bid conferences reflecting the content of the LCP to the prospective bidders and the successful contractor which is required by the LCP.
RG&A has routinely accessed the Division of the State Architect’s (DSA) website for information relating to various aspects of proposed projects. In addition, the information accessed has informed clients of projects that appear to be closed without “Certification of Compliance”. This website is not all encompassing and the DSA history cards located in the Sacramento headquarters provides additional information. RG&A can access these history cards for the COE in order to verify the closed status or missing documentation.
RG&A has been involved in more than one project discussion with DSA staff relating to obtaining concurrence letters for structures that requesting funding under the SFP Facility Hardship Program as having health and safety issues.
RG&A participated as a team member in discussions with the Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC).
RG&A attend and report on many of the Pooled Money Investment Board (PMIB) meetings since December 2008. This Board is instrumental in providing loans to the SAB through AB 55 provisions