The team developing the reference project should also be involved in developing the output specification, to ensure that the former meets the latter, and that the public sector comparator is correctly costed.
Where possible and applicable, a geotechnical survey of the preferred site is recommended for all projects. This assists in accurately estimating the costs involved in building on a particular site, taking into account specific ground conditions. The survey also highlights whether the site has appropriate access to services (i.e., electricity, gas, water, etc.) that may impact on costs.
While the terms of reference for a reference project will change on a project-by-project basis, a typical terms of reference is shown below.
| TYPICALTERMS OF REFERENCE |
| • Compilation of the Reference Project concept drawings, based on the draft project Output Specifications. The concept drawing should encompass: - details of the site and positioning of buildings, plant and machinery - details of services access e.g., electricity, water, gas, travel plan arrangements, parking, and demonstration of how the flow around the site will be maintained throughout development - functional relationships between building areas/process diagrams/road alignments, etc. as required - scale 1:500 (key areas shown to 1:200) - drawings to show year by year development Including enablers, demolitions, etc., and with complex Interfaces, further detail may be necessary • Schematic drawings of the key relationships with a macro of key areas at a scale of 1:100. • Diagram of the functional relationships for the whole project • Ground and site conditions based on the site geotechnical survey. • Estimation of costs Involved In providing utility and other necessary services to the site (if applicable) • Room data sheets are to be prepared for all key service areas (if applicable). • Process, mechanical, electrical and control diagrams and specifications (if applicable) • A costs estimate of the net area Is to be calculated based on the room data sheets, (if applicable) with an appropriate industry standard grossing factor applied. Note that the net area usually Includes mechanical and electrical services, specialist equipment and IT costs, • Prepare a list of the required FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment) for the project and an estimation of the costs of procurement and Installation In accordance with the Output Specification. • Details on the method of construction with a construction programme, development control plan, summary of construction assumptions and areas requiring special attention, e,g., dewatering. |
Given that the raw public sector comparator and the risk valuation process are developed on the basis of the assumptions underlying the reference project, it is recommended that a 'value' management exercise be undertaken to check the reasonableness of underlying assumptions/technical aspects. Any changes to the reference project is to be fully reflected in the raw public sector comparator cost estimates and the risk estimates.