Bighorn National Forest Facilities Master Plan—Chapter 7

Preliminary Project Analysis Elements: (FSH 7309.11 Sec 23.3 )

1. Draft Prospectus
   This serves as the basic statement of project need, objectives to be met, and facility requirements. Exhibit 01, FSH 7309.11 Sec 34.21 is a suggested Project Prospectus Format.
   
   
2. Location Analysis
   A location analysis is used to determine the optimum location for the facility. This decision affects operational patterns on adjacent units more than any other.
   
   Include these three steps:
   Identify the general location requirements. Check specific legislation and Departmental direction that may preempt some locations. Submit requests to the appropriate line officer.
   
   See FSM 1240 - Facility Location.
   
   See FSM 1220 - Organization.
   
   Analyze the cost of acquisition or construction and operation. Include life cycle operations and maintenance costs reflecting field travel requirements, proximity to the population served, and other factors when selecting the site or facilities. Information about estimating total building life cycle costs is available in the publication "Life Cycle Cost Analysis for Buildings is Easier Than You Thought" (optional link for FSweb users including example cost analysis documents).
   
   Request a list of available Government-owned facilities or space from the Inventory of Owned and Leased Properties. This source of space should always be documented as an alternative in the PPA.
   
   
3. Alternative Analysis
   Evaluate sites and buildings under consideration to identify potential development, operating, maintenance, and occupancy costs. List specific conditions and attributes. Analyze the life-cycle costs of the top candidates, including travel costs. See FSH 7309.11 chap 20, Sec 23.4 , Standards of Economic Analysis, for more information.
   
   
4. Conceptual Design
   The conceptual design is based on the information in the draft prospectus, and uses bubble diagrams, flow charts, or sometimes even simple single-line space layouts to show desired relationships between spaces and the site.
   
   
5. Recommendations
   This section identifies the recommended actions to move from the current facilities to the desired future facilities. It should include the reasoning behind the recommendations.
   
   A PPA recommendation that affects a historic structure must take into consideration the laws and regulations that apply to historic facilities. It may trigger the requirements of section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
   
   A PPA constitutes a "Proposed Action" that may need to undergo environmental analysis and documentation in accordance with FSH 1909.15 - Environmental Policy and Procedures Handbook. The analysis, supporting documentation, and recommendations serve as the basis for analyzing and documenting the environmental consequences of the proposed actions. The PPA should be submitted to the appropriate line officer, who will determine the actions needed.