200 R.I. Code R. 200-RICR-20-05-4.8

Current through December 3, 2024

Section 200-RICR-20-05-4.8 - Cost Standards

4.8.1Cost Guidelines

A. Districts shall include in their application a complete and detailed breakdown of the estimated costs associated with the project, prepared by a professional construction cost estimator. Cost estimates should be in the format provided in the annual guidance. This format will be an elemental classification framework developed through industry and government consensus. Construction cost estimates must be carried forward to the proposed bid date and include project management and design fees. Project information collected by RIDE will be stored in a database to provide a means for preparing annual cost guidance.

B. Project management and design fees, as a percentage of total construction costs, shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the general construction costs. Where projects mix new and retrofit construction, costs shall be clearly separated for new construction, new additions, gut rehabilitation, and space modernization.

4.8.2Additional Facilities

The provisions of this section shall not be deemed to preclude an applicant from including in an Approved Project, in addition to the Design and Educational Program as approved by the Council, such additional facilities as said District might desire. Any and all costs related to said additional facilities, including but not limited to, the design, construction and implementation of said additional facilities, shall be the sole responsibility of the eligible District.

4.8.3Ineligible Costs

A. The cost of project elements that exceed or diverge from the project scope of an approved project, including items noted below, are categorically ineligible to receive school housing aid. School housing aid is not paid on furnishings, fittings, and equipment unless the project involves new construction.

B. Categorically ineligible costs shall include, but not be limited to:

1. Any costs for an Approved Project in excess of the final approved amount for Housing Aid.

2. Financing costs incurred by an Applicant if the bond is not issued through the Rhode Island Health, Education, and Building Corporation (RIHEBC).

3. The cost of legal services.

4. The provision of any direct or indirect municipal services shall be ineligible costs, except the provision of public safety services as required by law, or services which RIDE determines are necessary for the completion of the project.

5. All costs associated with the operation and routine maintenance of a school facility.

6. Costs associated with site remediation costs, unless a District demonstrates that there are no available sites that do not require remediation or that it is less costly to remediate the selected site rather than purchase other property. In addition, the District will have to document its efforts to obtain other sources of public and private funds to assist with the remediation of the site. The Council expect that municipalities will secure federal funding or judgments against those responsible for the contamination.

7. Any costs determined to be ineligible by the Council during the course of the enforcement of the regulations and compliance with the memorandum of agreement process. The Council reserve the right to disallow any costs associated with any change order that deviates from the scope of the project.

8. Other ineligible costs: swimming pools, skating rinks, field houses, District administrative office space that is not incorporated into a school building, indoor tennis courts, and outdoor field surface materials on existing fields. In addition, Districts building new or an addition to existing elementary schools will be reimbursed only for a multi-purpose room for auditorium and cafeteria purposes. Furthermore, athletic facilities requests will be considered only if the District demonstrates that the facility will be used predominantly by the school population. This demonstration shall include an analysis of needed physical education and sports activities based on the student population to be served by the proposed new facility. The District shall also include an inventory of community athletic/recreation facilities to ensure that school housing aid is not being paid for community resources.

200 R.I. Code R. 200-RICR-20-05-4.8