STATE FACILITIES FUNDING SERVICES (CAPITAL OUTLAY, SCHEDULED MAINTENCE & PROP. 39)
ALMA provides capital outlay planning and funding services tailored to meet the needs of each District. Capital outlay planning typically includes the following core services: Five-Year Construction Plan update, Space Inventory update, development of Initial Project Proposals (IPPs) and Final Project Proposals (FPPs), and analysis of reporting requirements for State funded capital outlay projects. Other State facilities funding services include the following services: Scheduled Maintenance Special Repair (SMSR) Five Year Plan, development of Project Funding Proposals for SMSR projects, and managing proposition 39 project funding.

ALMA Strategies offers the following services related to State Facilities Funding Services:

Space Inventory – Perform a physical inventory of all assignable square footage, stations, room usage and TOP Code designations within each building on campus in accordance with State Chancellor’s Office guidelines and the FUSION database.

Five-Year Construction Plan – Develop and update the annual capital construction planning documentation required by the State Chancellor’s Office. The plan provides vital information necessary for the State to make decisions on State Capital Outlay project funding priorities and supportability.

Final Project Proposal (FPP) – Prepare the final funding proposal to the State for capital construction projects requesting State funding. The document includes project justification, scope definition, estimated costs, schedule and initial design concepts.

Initial Project Proposal (IPP) – Prepare the initial funding proposal to the State for capital construction projects. The document provides an overview of the general scope, estimated costs, schedule and proposed State funding requested.

Fusion Implementation – FUSION is an Internet database for California Community Colleges and maintains records of building conditions, space inventory, capital construction planning and State funded projects. Services include updating data within the system as well as training college personnel of its uses.

State Scheduled Maintenance Planning – Develop and update the State Scheduled Maintenance/Special Repair 5-year Plan documentation required by the State Chancellor’s Office. Prepare Project Funding Proposals for Scheduled Maintenance projects requesting approval for funding.

State Capital Outlay Project Closeout – Prepare required documentation for reporting to the State Chancellor’s Office and perform updates to the FUSION database to reflect state funded project completion

Orientation – Provide information and training to colleges for better understanding of the Capital Outlay process. This is a customizable service for any level of staff, board of trustees, bond committee, or other planning group.



CAPITAL PROGRAM PLANNING, IMPLEMENTATION & FISCAL SERVICES

ALMA Strategies works with districts/colleges to facilitate coordination between the timing of construction projects, impacts to educational and other programs, and the deadline requirements of funding sources. Our consultants work with architects, construction program managers, and public entity clients to develop implementation plans and optimize construction programs to realize financial gain for clients.

ALMA Strategies works to provide fiscal controls initiation for bond programs, including, evaluation of existing infrastructure and policies, development of reporting procedures, and defining accounting processes. Services also include integration between multiple accounting systems, audit preparation and compliance assurance. We develop and implement accounting infrastructure and workflow systems to enhance and inform facility program management decision-making, transparency, and accountability.

ALMA Strategies offers the following services related to Facilities Program Planning, Implementation & Fiscal Services:

Total Cost of Ownership – Provide metrics/cost models for analyzing total cost of ownership for management of space planning/utilization, project delivery, operations, and capital improvements.

Space Utilization Analysis – Prepare documents necessary for analysis of space based on Weekly Student Contact Hours (WSCH), Title V, and capacity load ratios to determine how space needs/surplus change with construction projects and if programmatic space needs are being met.

Maintenance and Operations Analysis – Prepare documents necessary to analyze current and future grounds, custodial, and maintenance staffing needs.

Implementation Strategies – Facilitate coordination between the timing of construction projects, impacts to operations and other programs, and the deadline requirements of funding sources. Work with architects, construction program managers and public entity clients to develop implementation plans and optimize construction program scope, schedule, budget, and cash flow strategies.

Program Fiscal Controls Set-up – Develop and implement accounting infrastructure and workflow systems to enhance and inform facility program management decision-making. Design program and accounting management processes to promote facility program transparency and accountability.

Accounting System Integration – Provide interface solutions between District and Program Management Team’s accounting software system(s) to streamline and provide accurate facility bond accounting. Implement systems to ensure all reporting and recordkeeping compliance requirements are met.

Management Studies – Analyze program management and accounting systems. Provide solutions and recommendations to improve program management processes.



INTEGRATED LONG-RANGE MASTER PLANNING (STRATEGIC, EDUCATIONAL & FACILITIES)

The process of Master Planning is a dynamic process that, when done well, results in a detailed roadmap for meeting the needs of multiple constituencies. Educational entities may offer multiple master planning documents. Integrated planning provides a mechanism in which the Strategic Plan, the Educational Master Plan, Facilities Master Plan, and other long-range planning documents are all aligned and support the Mission of the District, Colleges, Divisions, and Departments in a united direction. The alignment of integrated planning provides evidence of a collaborative process and ensures the implementation of each plan has “buy-in” across the many constituencies. ALMA’s integrated master planning approach results in the development of data driven documents, consisting of measurable goals and actions for implementation.

ALMA Strategies offers the following services related to Integrated Long-Range Master Planning:

Strategic Master Planning – Prepare a District-wide planning document that provides the overreaching goals and objectives to guide all other planning documents on the college level. A Strategic Master Plan establishes a framework which is implemented through the Educational Master Plan, Facilities Master Plan, Technology Plan, etc.

Educational Master Planning – Conduct extensive external and internal research to analyze trends and educational needs. Develop a planning document that defines the learning outcomes sought by a college and the actions needed to implement those goals. 

Facilities Master Planning – Prepare a long range facilities master planning document based on goals set forth in the Educational Master Plan. Translate educational needs into future facility goals and requirements.

Educational Center Status Approval – Prepare documents and provide assistance with the proper procedures required in obtaining formal Educational Center status approval from the State for district off-campus outreach locations. Similar services are provided for obtaining community college statues for an already established educational center.

Feasibility/Needs Study – Prepare planning documents researching the feasibility/need for a particular project and provides recommendations/strategies for moving forward.

Educational Specifications/Standards– Prepare the written set of specifications and/or standards defining appropriate sizes, categories of space, and/or equipment for each room type or use at a college or District.

Demographic Analysis – Perform an analysis of relevant demographic history, trends and projections for a college/district service area. This service may include the utilization of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to complete the task.

Enrollment Projections – Develop enrollment projections for a college/district based on population changes, historical enrollment patterns and environmental influences. This service may include the utilization of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to complete the task.

Building Programming – Facilitate user meetings to develop space programming criteria/documents to be used for design development.