Steven Winter Associates, Inc

Steven Winter Associates, Inc. (SWA) has for nearly 30 years provided a unique constellation of building-related services (listed immediately below). MOBIS - services that improve the management, organization, and business practices of Federal agencies - form an integral part of what we do. SWA delivers MOBIS as part of our work performed directly for Federal agencies, and as an off-shoot of our work with private corporations.

Along with our capability to perform specific types of conventional MOBIS, SWA provides uniquely tailored MOBIS to agencies in building-related matters. While traditional management consulting firms can hire experts with specific skills in the subject matter being dealt with, SWA is unique in our ability to integrate cutting-edge knowledge and research with a strong understanding of and long experience with the management and organizational needs of Federal agencies.

For an agency dealing with a particular constituency, it can often be advantageous to structure its program and project management and organizational efforts to mirror more accurately the needs of its constituency, rather than to follow an abstract organizational blueprint. SWA provides invaluable help to Federal agencies in such situations, because we have a deep and inside understanding of the needs of those agency constituencies included within SWA s many areas of special expertise, such as:

Homeowners

Homebuilders and remodellers

Native Americans

Citizens in need of accessible facilities

Building industry trade associations

Building occupants who are affected by indoor air quality

Producers of construction-related products

Building code officials

Energy utilities

Firm s Areas of Special Expertise

Energy conservation in building

Building construction technology and systems

Alternative energy systems

Sustainable ( green ) construction

Universal (accessible) design and technology

Fair Housing Act building accessibility

Native American housing

Toxicology and indoor air quality control in buildings

Low-rise building construction technology (primarily housing)

Mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and fire suppression systems

Building-related trade associations

Building codes and regulations

Technical publications

SIN 874-1: CONSULTING SERVICES

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STRATEGIC, BUSINESS, AND ACTION PLANNING

SWA assists agency managers and staff in establishing and maintaining strategic goals and tactical implementation planning for agency programs related to SWA s areas of special expertise. Specifically, SWA helps agencies to:

Devise agency programs that conform with the needs of persons with physical disabilities and special environmental sensitivities

Integrate programs with mandated energy- and resource-conserving Federal programs

Help agencies align programs with the mandates of various Native American programs

Develop performance goals and metrics to assess program performance

Perform follow-up assessments to guide continuous program improvement

SWA s strategic, business and action planning services support MOBIS by guiding Federal agencies define and implement more effective and efficient programs that more exactly serve the needs of their customers.

SYSTEMS ALIGNMENT

SWA, using its in-depth understanding of the building and housing industries, along with its full building research capability, access to industry suppliers, and acceptance as a neutral party, can help an agency effectively develop programs that provide end-to-end feedback and follow-through in accomplishing program goals. In performing this service, SWA can:

Help agencies devise effective procedures, algorithms, and feed-back systems that insure continuity of effort throughout a project

Identify crucial obstacles to achieving a fully aligned system, and devise solutions

Define necessary personnel to successfully guide key steps in the process, particularly defining the role and job description of a project champion.

SWA s systems alignment services support MOBIS by tying together all aspects of a process, to insure that key goals are implemented despite obstacles, bottlenecks, or loss of momentum, any of which can threaten the successful implementation of mandated agency goals.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND INDICATORS

SWA can assist agencies in the implementation of its strategic goals by aligning them more closely with the performance measures and indicators most commonly used and accepted by its constituent citizens and organizations. Specifically, SWA can:

Provide outside expertise in identifying these measures and indicators

Help agency managers and staff evaluate management and operations of programs in terms of these performance measures and indicators

Work with agencies to re-align procedures and tactics in accordance with these measures

SWA s performance measures and indicators services support MOBIS by bringing the efficiencies and experience of private sector agency constituents into the workings of the agency itself by incorporating the private-sector s own measures and indicators of success within the larger mandates of the agency.

PROGRAM AUDITS AND EVALUATIONS

SWA provides program audit and evaluation services to assist agencies in targeting its programs to fulfill mandates and to meet agency strategic goals. Specifically, SWA can help:

Understand the impact of its programs on the housing and building-related needs of its constituents

Tailor evaluation tools to the specific needs of its constituents

Provide timely and detailed views into how a program is being implemented in the field

Evaluate alternatives to existing programs, including cost analyses

Evaluate external regulations and compare agency procedures with these requirements

SWA s program audit and evaluation services support MOBIS by ensuring program compliance with policies and regulations external or internal to the agency; and by providing objective feedback from a knowledgeable but unbiased outside party.

SIN 874-2: FACILITATION SERVICES

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Federal agencies frequently need to arrive at a consensus among stakeholders and players with widely divergent interests, and need a neutral outside party experienced in developing a consensus. While generalist facilitators can be useful in appropriate situations, there are many cases where the person in charge of finding consensus must have an intimate knowledge of the subject matter in order to arrive at a robust, useful, and comprehensive result.

SWA provides unique and highly valuable facilitation skills because of the firm s:

Very broad range of areas of expertise within the building sector

Many staff members who have high skill levels in a variety of areas - broad-gauge experts - and who also have excellent facilitation skills

Widely respected reputation for neutrality and even-handedness in a highly competitive and litigious industry

SWA offers the full range of services needed for successful facilitation, and has provided these services in both Federal and Federal-private sector situations.

PROBLEM-SOLVING TECHNIQUES

SWA uses a simple but effective palette of problem-solving techniques, and devises custom-designed techniques to deal with specialized or particularly difficult situations. Typical techniques include:

Brainstorming - this technique is only effective if the leader has a strong understanding of the area under discussion, an advantage SWA provides within its areas of expertise. SWA uses a no negatives allowed approach to brainstorming, to minimize self-censoring

Strong visual aids - in reaching consensus in a complex technical environment, it is essential that everyone have a very clear idea of the details under discussion. Most SWA personnel have highly developed abilities to develop visual materials on the spot

Skepticism - specialists often refer to technical ideas that they believe are shared within the group, using telegraphic, non-explanatory descriptions. SWA staff is keyed to insisting on a full explication of these ideas in common language, a technique which often uncovers deep layers of confusion and misunderstanding and clears them up

SWA s use of simple, technically-oriented problem-solving techniques supports MOBIS by targeting the tools to the task, making consensus-seeking group meetings more likely to reach useful and lasting results

DEFINING THE OBJECTIVE(S)

The first step in reaching consensus among a complex and divergent group of stakeholders is to define the objective in very clear terms. In a process that extends over a long period, it will usually be necessary to re-define the objective(s), sometimes several times, as stakeholders develop a clearer sense of their own goals and rivalries. Defining the objective will lead to a clearly defined agenda; if the objective is modified or re-defined, the agenda may also need to be reconstructed or modified.

SWA s services in defining the objective in seeking consensus support MOBIS by providing, in the special areas where SWA s consensus-building expertise is needed, the right balance of targeted goal-seeking and the necessary flexibility to keep all stakeholders on board throughout the process.

RECORDING AND FOCUSING THE DISCUSSION

Consistent with its informal approach to facilitating, SWA uses a variety of simple methods for recording the discussion:

Note-taking by a staff member other than the leader

Recording, both audio and audio-visual

Writing and drawing all comments on flip-charts, which are kept and analyzed

Photographing surfaces before paste-up or white-board comments are moved or erased

SWA relies on simple time-keeping methods to focus and guide discussions.

SWA s discussion recording and focusing supports MOBIS by providing simple, flexible, and adaptable tools for building a record and efficiently transcribing it for use and dissemination.

DEBRIEFING AND FOLLOW-UP MEETING PLANNING

SWA, when requested by the agency, provides structured debriefing, either in its own facilities at the agency, or in larger quarters where appropriate. The goal of debriefing is to make sure all agency personnel with a need to know understand the consensus, its roots, and potential areas of future conflict in need of resolution. When appropriate, SWA assists the agency in planning for future sessions, in anticipation of future conflict or to resolve issues that were omitted or bypassed at the meeting under discussion.

SWA s debriefing and follow-up meeting planning services support MOBIS by closing the loop , providing crucial feedback to the agency for its use in targeting its management and organizational efforts, and in anticipating additional meetings.

PREPARING REPORTS

SWA typically uses the following procedure for developing a final report:

Distribute a draft record to all participants for their comment

Follow up until written comments or a no comment response is received from all parties

Discuss minor dissents and corrections with dissenting parties

Assist agency in resolving any important remaining disagreements with all parties, using email when possible

If final consensus is reached, assist agency in preparing final report

If necessary and possible, reconvene until consensus is reached, or dissenting minority opinion recorded

SWA services in preparing reports support MOBIS by providing an accurate historical record for later review.

SIN 874-3: SURVEY SERVICES

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SWA provides survey research services for Federal agencies to complement our other MOBIS offerings. We use field surveys to help agencies evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of their program management, to assess whether programs are meeting federally mandated requirements, and to help allocate agency funding.

PLANNING AND DESIGNING FIELD SURVEYS

SWA works with the customer agency to:

Define the goals of the survey

Assess how the survey will affect the agency's overall agenda

Decide on a schedule

Determine the best media and procedures for data collection

Assess primary and alternative data sources

Identify data already collected

Determine the most efficient strategies to ensure a high response level

SWA then reviews existing data, does a literature search, and where necessary, convenes a group of potential responders to ensure that the data will be relevant and acceptable, especially in socially sensitive situations. For large surveys, SWA tests the survey data set with a focus group or trial survey, and makes adjustments to eliminate confusion and improve the questions. Once a strategic and tactical plan is devised, it is reviewed and approved by the agency.

SWA's planning and design of field surveys supports MOBIS goals by insuring that the agency's investment will be efficiently used, accurately targeted, and fully in support of the agency's business improvement efforts.

FIELD SURVEY DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS REPORTING

SWA assembles survey data in a timely fashion, and works closely with an outside statistical consultant to process the data. This work is done in collaboration with the agency, to insure that the final data set is useful to agency personnel, and easy to understand. SWA can provide data sets in any common format, including the application of its in-house computer graphics capabilities. Formal report results are delivered to the customer in one or more briefing sessions, and in any hard-copy or on-line format desired.

SWA's field survey data analysis and results reporting supports MOBIS by providing the agency with a flexible set of options, in order to maximize the immediate and long-term usefulness of the material to enhance the agency's performance.

FIELD SURVEY ADMINISTRATION

During a field survey, SWA performs spot checks in the field, conducts parallel interviews, and reviews corroborating data, to assess the accuracy of the data gathering. Corrections are made to procedures and to individual staff to insure uniform results. Data is regularly gathered and test runs made to insure that final data analysis will yield useful results. SWA reports to the agency regularly, and performs routine administration in support of the field effort.

SWA's field survey administration supports MOBIS goals by maintaining the quality of data gathering, and allowing in-course corrections to be made in a timely and efficient fashion.

FIELD SURVEY DATA COLLECTION TEAM TRAINING

For small surveys, SWA typically uses its own personnel. For larger field surveys, SWA directs agency personnel, and/or recruits teams from college programs or other low-cost or no-cost sources. To insure that the survey work is done properly, personnel are carefully trained and supervised. To control training costs, video, audio, and on-line conferencing are used. Broadcast media are used for simultaneous training of distant data gatherers when available; in a recent major field survey project for HUD; the agency's own TV broadcast studio was used to produce a 4-hour interactive training session.

SWA's training of field data survey collection teams supports MOBIS goals by allowing the use of low-cost or no-cost field data gatherers, or in-place agency personnel, while insuring high quality data.

INFORMAL, LOWER-COST SURVEYS

SWA provides a wide range of short-term, small-scale data gathering techniques. By providing rapid feedback, these surveys assist agencies in several ways:

Assessing program performance

Assessing project performance

Assessing the need for new projects in specific study areas

Redirecting or restructuring the goals of existing projects

SWA uses several small-scale survey methods, appropriate to the agency s needs. These surveys are designed and administered in collaboration with the agency, and the results presented in clear reports. When appropriate, results are presented in person to agency personnel. Among the techniques offered by SWA are:

Focus groups: SWA has considerable experience managing focus groups of various sizes and with various target data sources

Post-workshop evaluations: SWA typically assembles and analyzes these to provide feedback on the effectiveness of workshops and conferences

Telephone, fax, mail, and email surveys: these are easy-to-use and cost-effective tools SWA uses in a wide variety of data-gathering activities

Plan surveys: in many situations involving buildings, data gathering must include the examination and analysis of building plans and specifications, a strong area of expertise for SWA

Literature searches: these surveys are an integral part of nearly every survey project, large or small. In its areas of special expertise, SWA provides unmatched access to relevant literature from private and public sector sources, government laboratories, standards agencies, and other non-profit groups

SWA s informal, lower-cost survey capability supports MOBIS by offering agencies a fast, cost-effective way of assessing performance and identifying appropriate goals.

SIN 874-7: PROGRAM INTEGRATION AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES

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SWA provides a range of program integration and project management services to Federal agency clients in the firm s areas of special expertise. The firm has special expertise regarding complex public-private partnerships involving Federal agencies, for-profit firms, not-for-profit firms, government labs, and standards-writing agencies, working within the firm s areas of expertise.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

SWA combines specialized technical knowledge and long experience with Federal agency operation, to help improve and focus agency building-related program management. Among the many services offered in this area are:

Bring cutting edge knowledge of building technology to bear on the goals and objectives of Federal programs

Assist agency managers in assessing program operation success and suggest improvements

Help agencies with technical aspects of fund allocation in housing-related programs

Advise agencies in selecting and defining projects within Federal programs targeting important areas of interest to the program s constituents

Assess the impact of strategic alternatives on the organization s mission, using industry-appropriate metrics and success drivers

SWA s program management assistance supports MOBIS by making available industry technical expertise, cutting-edge technology, and user needs to agency strategic and tactical planners.

PROGRAM INTEGRATION (TEAM LEADER)

SWA specializes in the management of diverse public-private teams within both state and Federal agency programs. These services often involve the integration of diverse government agencies at both state and Federal level to work as a team. Among the firm s many services in this area are:

Coordinate the activities of multi-disciplinary teams focused on agency-defined goals

Integrate the work of multi-disciplinary teams with other such teams operating with agency program

Provide management advice and assistance to the agency to implement program changes and improvements

Make presentations to and for the agency on results and progress of interdisciplinary team results

Assist in road mapping and other efforts that provide strategic input from members of a multi-disciplinary team

SWA s program integration services support MOBIS by providing agencies with a neutral team leader who can help integrate diverse goals into an effective, agency-driven program.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

As an experienced contractor to several Federal agencies, with many repeat clients, SWA naturally has superb project management credentials. These capabilities are available to agencies working within SWA s broad areas of special expertise, to assist the agency with in-house project management.

Among the many capabilities SWA brings to this task are:

Provide in-depth and timely knowledge and experience on technical project subject matter and on the program s target audience

Assist the agency to incorporate this knowledge efficiently and effectively into the project s operation and management

Perform project management tasks for the agency in the event of temporary or long-term staff shortages

Help with project assessment, redirection, and improvement through surveys and quality assurance metrics

SWA s project management services support MOBIS by helping to enhance the effectiveness of agency project management in the areas of SWA s special expertise.

SIN 874-8 ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ADR) SERVICES

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SWA has extensive experience in providing dispute resolution services within its areas of special expertise, which include:

Energy conservation in building

Building construction technology and systems

Alternative energy systems

Sustainable ( green ) construction

Universal (accessible) design and technology

Fair Housing Act building accessibility

Native American housing

Toxicology and indoor air quality control in buildings

Low-rise building construction technology (primarily housing)

Mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and fire suppression systems

Building-related trade associations

Building codes and regulations

Technical publications

SWA s alternative dispute resolution services support MOBIS by making state-of-the-art expertise available to Federal agencies in resolving building-related disputes.

NEUTRAL EXPERTS AND EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES

SWA has provided expert witness and neutral expert services for over 60 clients, in building-related disputes. Our role as national experts in building technology supports our role as an independent expert in these areas. While the majority of clients have been in the private sector, SWA provided expert testimony on Fair Housing Act compliance for the Justice Department and HUD.

FORENSIC TESTING

SWA is well-equipped to perform building-related forensic testing. The firm has on staff the following testing capability:

Highly experienced home inspector familiar with instruments commonly used to examine homes

Full capability to perform all types of testing on heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems and equipment, with in-house engineering

Full testing capability for building-scale electrical trouble-shooting, with in-house engineering

Full testing capability for plumbing and sprinkler systems, with in-house engineering

On-staff professional toxicologist to test for mold and mildew, indoor air quality, and other toxicological matters

For incidental specialists that might be needed as part of an overall forensic testing program, such as soils analysis, the firm would retain specialists as sub-consultants.

ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION

SWA has arbitration and mediation capability and experience within its areas of expertise.

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Cost of each year in a 5-year base period*
*cost applies to SIN numbers: 874-1, 874-2, 874-3, 874-7 & 874-8

BASE YEAR 1
Labor Category	Government Hourly Rate
Principals	$162.92
Sr. Professionals	$110.80
Professionals	$81.04
Jr. Professionals	$60.11
Technical Support	$53.09


BASE YEAR 2
Labor Category	Government Hourly Rate
Principals	$169.45
Sr. Professionals	$115.23
Professionals	$84.28
Jr. Professionals	$62.11
Technical Support	$55.21


BASE YEAR 3
Labor Category	Government Hourly Rate
Principals	$176.22
Sr. Professionals	$119.84
Professionals	$87.65
Jr. Professionals	$65.02
Technical Support	$57.52


BASE YEAR 4
Labor Category	Government Hourly Rate
Principals	$183.27
Sr. Professionals	$124.63
Professionals	$91.16
Jr. Professionals	$67.59
Technical Support	$59.72


BASE YEAR 5
Labor Category	Government Hourly Rate
Principals	$190.60
Sr. Professionals	$129.62
Professionals	$94.80
Jr. Professionals	$70.32
Technical Support	$62.10



OPTION YEAR 1

Labor Category	Government Hourly Rate
Principals	$198.22
Sr. Professionals	$134.80
Professionals	$98.60
Jr. Professionals	$73.14
Technical Support	$64.59


OPTION YEAR 2
Labor Category	Government Hourly Rate
Principals	$206.15
Sr. Professionals	$140.20
Professionals	$102.54
Jr. Professionals	$76.06
Technical Support	$67.17


OPTION YEAR 3
Labor Category	Government Hourly Rate
Principals	$214.39
Sr. Professionals	$145.80
Professionals	$106.64
Jr. Professionals	$79.10
Technical Support	$69.85


OPTION YEAR 4
Labor Category	Government Hourly Rate
Principals	$222.97
Sr. Professionals	$151.63
Professionals	$110.91
Jr. Professionals	$82.27
Technical Support	$72.66


OPTION YEAR 5
Labor Category	Government Hourly Rate
Principals	$231.89
Sr. Professionals	$157.70
Professionals	$115.35
Jr. Professionals	$85.56
Technical Support	$75.56


OPTION YEAR 6
Labor Category	Government Hourly Rate
Principals	$241.17
Sr. Professionals	$164.01
Professionals	$119.76
Jr. Professionals	$88.99
Technical Support	$78.58


OPTION YEAR 7
Labor Category	Government Hourly Rate
Principals	$250.81
Sr. Professionals	$170.57
Professionals	$124.76
Jr. Professionals	$92.54
Technical Support	$81.73


OPTION YEAR 8
Labor Category	Government Hourly Rate
Principals	$260.85
Sr. Professionals	$177.40
Professionals	$129.75
Jr. Professionals	$96.24
Technical Support	$85.00


OPTION YEAR 9
Labor Category	Government Hourly Rate
Principals	$271.28
Sr. Professionals	$184.49
Professionals	$134.94
Jr. Professionals	$100.09
Technical Support	$88.40


OPTION YEAR 10
Labor Category	Government Hourly Rate
Principals	$282.13
Sr. Professionals	$191.87
Professionals	$140.34
Jr. Professionals	$104.10
Technical Support	$91.93


OPTION YEAR 11
Labor Category	Government Hourly Rate
Principals	$293.42
Sr. Professionals	$199.54
Professionals	$145.95
Jr. Professionals	$108.26
Technical Support	$95.61


OPTION YEAR 12
Labor Category	Government Hourly Rate
Principals	$305.16
Sr. Professionals	$207.52
Professionals	$151.79
Jr. Professionals	$112.59
Technical Support	$99.43


OPTION YEAR 13
Labor Category	Government Hourly Rate
Principals	$317.35
Sr. Professionals	$215.82
Professionals	$157.86
Jr. Professionals	$117.10
Technical Support	$103.41


OPTION YEAR 14
Labor Category	Government Hourly Rate
Principals	$330.05
Sr. Professionals	$224.46
Professionals	$164.18
Jr. Professionals	$121.77
Technical Support	$107.54


OPTION YEAR 15
Labor Category	Government Hourly Rate
Principals	$343.26
Sr. Professionals	$233.43
Professionals	$170.74
Jr. Professionals	$126.65
Technical Support	$111.85

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