Architecture & Engineering is responsible for the development of scope, design, and construction documents for capital improvement projects at new schools, existing schools, additions, and lease conversions. A&E also provides ongoing professional services for construction administration during the projects' construction phase.
The department is comprised of two studios: the In-House Design Studio (IHDS) which directly designs projects built by the SCA, and the Design Consultant Management Studio (DCMS) which oversees SCA projects designed by consultants. The three support units, the Business Management Unit (BMU), the Staff Training and Development Unit, and the CADD Unit, work in collaboration to keep the studios working at peak performance.
The In-House Design Studio (IHDS) is comprised of architects and engineers of all the major disciplines. The in-house technical staff scopes, designs, and provides construction services in architectural, structural, electrical, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC), and plumbing and drainage (P&D) components of their assigned Capital Improvement and new Capacity projects. They provide technical assistance to A&E studios and to SCA's Construction Management Department. In-house expediters reside in the studio for the projects designed in-house. IHDS manages the elevator/escalator, acoustical, mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP), and emergency contracts for projects designed in-house and for the review of consultant's work.
Responsibilities:
The Design Consultant Management Studio (DCMS) staff is comprised of directors, design managers, and design project managers who manage the design consultants, oversee each project throughout the scope and design process, and coordinate with internal and external entities to ensure the successful delivery of design documents as well as that the consultants provide the required construction support services throughout the construction process.
To be eligible for a design assignment, a consultant firm must have a Requirements Contract with the SCA. To secure a contract, the firm must respond to an RFP for design services that are appropriate for the firm. If selected through the SCA's RFP selection process, a firm must be prequalified prior to being awarded a contract.
To begin the prequalification process, please go to the Vendor Access System and fill out the online application. To propose for a contract, a firm must have the requisite professional qualifications and experience to support the specific type of design work needed.
Firms that are interested in receiving an RFP for design work should email an expression of their interest, along with information about their work, to the Architecture & Engineering Department.
Subconsultants do not hold contracts with the SCA, but rather with the prime contracted consultants. Subconsultants, unless their services will be a one-time specialty service to the prime, must also be prequalified with the SCA, however, the subconsultant does not have to be prequalified to be included as a subconsultant to a prime in the RFP. Acting as a subconsultant on SCA projects is a good way for a firm to get to know the SCA, and vice-versa, and so may facilitate winning a prime contract in the future.
Design requirements contract types include:
Smaller projects such as Resolution A are typically assigned to firms with CIP, MEP, or landscape contracts.
Technical Standards & Support Studio (TSS) is a multifunctional unit that maintains the technical standards of the SCA and supports the other studios through its three units: the CADD Unit, the Estimating Unit, and the Technical Standards Group.
The CADD Unit is a multi-function A&E unit that manages several areas of support. These areas include AutoCAD/Revit user assistance, CAD/BIM standards, AutoCAD/Revit user training, plotters and printers, manages the Plans Desk, manages the Alchemy database of school drawings, and performs review of A&E related electronic documents. The CADD Unit also publishes departmental bulletins and documents on the A&E Homepage. The CADD Unit maintains the AutoCAD system and plans desk for the In House Design Studio as well as the SCA's drawing archive system.
The Estimating Unit is responsible for performing estimates on SCA in-house projects and review of consultant estimates. The Estimating Unit prepares cost estimates for projects designed in-house at all prescribed stages of the project, reviews and approves similar estimates prepared by consultants, performs cost analysis, tracks construction costs and maintains historical cost data.
The Technical Standards Group develops and maintains the SCA Design Standards for architectural, structural, electrical, HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning), and plumbing and drainage trades, which govern school design and construction quality. They are also responsible for value engineering, site/facility assessment and feasibility studies, State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) submissions tracking, management of the Facilities Management Systems Integrator (FMSI) group, and, in collaboration with the other studios, development of design review and technical staff training. The following are a listing of the various responsibilities:
Design services for capital projects funded by the Department of Education's Five-Year Capital Plan are provided both by in-house architects and engineers, and by consultant design firms. These professional services are provided during scope, design, and construction.
All capital projects adhere to SCA standards developed by the SCA to ensure quality, cost effectiveness, constructability, and sustainability. These standards include: Design Requirements, Standard Specifications, Standard Details, and Room Planning Standards. Compliance with the NYC Green Schools Guide ensures that the stringent sustainability goals of NYC Local Law 32/16 are met. A&E Procedural Guidelines lay out procedures and protocols for the execution of capital projects. Standards Bulletins advise designers of new and revised technical standards.
Capital projects generally fall into three categories:
Capital Improvement Program (CIP): CIP projects maintain and upgrade existing school facilities. They are generally smaller than line projects and involve work such as interior/exterior building upgrades, roof and boiler replacements, electrical work, security systems, room conversions and transportable classrooms. Their estimated construction value typically ranges from $1 million to $10 million.
To view a list of CIP projects the SCA anticipates bidding out in the next six months, click the following link: Capital Improvement Projects Anticipated Contract Awards
Capacity (or Line) Projects: Originally called "line projects" because each project was listed as a "line" in the DOE’s Five Year Capital Plan, with its own schedule for design and construction and a planned budget allocation. Capacity projects include new schools, major modernizations, additions, and athletic fields. Line projects may involve many capital categories or types of work in one project and are funded through their own OMB Certificate to Proceed (CP).
Resolution A and CTF (Capital Task Force): Resolution "A" (Reso "A") projects are school specific capital improvement or enhancement projects that are funded through individual grants which are allocated by the Borough Presidents or members of the New York City Council. Capital Task Force (CTF) projects are small capital projects typically built by Division of School Facilities (DSF) Skilled Trades or Job Order Contract (JOC) contractors. These projects provide enhancements and upgrades to existing facilities. The most common Reso "A" projects are upgrades to a school's technology, auditorium, playground, science lab, and other specialty classrooms. The SCA has also been able to utilize Reso "A" funding to complete some unique and innovative projects such as a Challenger Space Center, an Edible Schoolyard (farm), planetarium upgrade, and Green roofs. enhancements in schools throughout the City.
To be eligible for a design assignment, a consultant firm must have a Requirements Contract with the SCA. To secure a contract, the firm must respond to an RFP for design services that are appropriate for the firm. If selected through the SCA's RFP selection process, a firm must be pre-qualified prior to being awarded a contract.
Firms that are interested in receiving an RFP for design work should email an expression of their interest, along with information about their work, to the Architecture & Engineering Department at AE Info or to any of the A&E senior staff.
Sub-consultants do not hold contracts with the SCA, but rather with the "prime" contracted consultants. Sub-consultants, unless their services will be a one-time specialty service to the prime, must also be pre-qualified with the SCA. Acting as a sub-consultant on SCA projects is a good way for the firm to get to know the SCA, and vice-versa, and so may facilitate winning a prime contract in the future.
Design Requirements Contract types include:
There are also a variety of specialty and testing services. Smaller projects such as Resolution A and CTF are typically assigned to firms with CIP or Landscape Contracts.
Knowledge and continual education is the key to success. A&E has a culture of learning, a school within an office that designs schools. We encourage all of our staff to pursue the credentials they need to build the best schools in the world. Staff Training and Development Unit (TDU) provides a framework to inspire its staff to find interests inside and outside the office to help them grow professionally. We often forget that the practice of architecture and engineering and the professions of business and management are always changing. Technological innovation, pedagogy, CAD, professional development, management systems, and construction methodology are always evolving. In the course of a long career, professionals need to keep up with these things to be successful designers, managers, and builders.
The Business Management Unit (BMU), under the A&E Vice President’s office, is organized to enhance A&E’s business practices, manage design consultant payments, monitor contract utilization, and assist in creating, developing and implementing policies and procedures related to the business practices of A&E.
BMU manages the business side of the A&E design contracts. This includes but is not limited to:
The CADD Unit is a multi-functional A&E unit that manages several areas of support. These areas include: AutoCAD/Revit user assistance, AutoCAD/Revit standards, AutoCAD/Revit user training, plotters and printers, the AE Archives (formerly Alchemy database of school drawings), and performs review of A&E related electronic documents. The CADD Unit also publishes departmental bulletins and documents on the A&E Homepage.
A&E Plans Desk
The A&E Plans Desk provides a single point of contact for the Construction and Architecture Management Platform (CAMP) A&E requests and A&E related issues. The Plans Desk is responsible for and acts as a clearinghouse for all in-house project shop drawing submittals.