Our Services
ALMA provides mandatory California Community College submittals for Space Inventory, Five Year Construction Plans, Initial Project Proposals (IPP), Final Project Proposals (FPP), and Scheduled Maintenance and Replacement (SMR). ALMA also helps clients develop successful applications for Outreach Centers to become Education Centers and Education Centers to become Colleges.
Facilites Planning And Funding Services (State Capital Outlay Planning)
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.
Fiscal Services
Program Fiscal 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.
Facility/Bond Program Implementation Consulting
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.
Other Planning Services
Maintenance and Operations Analysis
Prepare documents necessary to analyze current and future grounds, custodial, and maintenance staffing needs.
Total Cost of Ownership and Operations
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.
Feasibility/Needs Study
Prepare planning documents researching the feasibility/need for a particular project and provides recommendations/strategies for moving forward.
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.
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.
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.