Development & Modernization Administration

To perform our functions effectively and efficiently, DMA is organized into three (3) divisions, namely:

• Planning and Budget Division

• Design and Construction Management Division

• Mechanical Operations Division

Planning and Budget Division

a. Manages the data and all agency statistics that form the basis for developing the Agency’s Annual Grant Submissions, as well as the Agency’s Five-Year Modernization Plan;

b. Develops in consultation with residents and other DCHA Administrations, the annual Capital Improvements Budget, including the Five-Year Plan that is submitted to HUD;

c. Monitors the implementation of the modernization program to ensure compliance with HUD regulations and requirements;

d. Manages the modernization budget to ensure that adequate controls are in place and that all obligations and expenditures are not only consistent with the HUD approved budgets, but also those obligations and expenditures meet HUD required time schedules.

e. Monitors the timely processing of contractor’s payments.

The division is staffed by Planners and Financial Management professionals.

Design and Construction Management Division

a. Prepares and updates Physical Needs Assessment for agency properties to identify need for repair, maintenance, and new construction as part of modernization planning;

b. Manages A/E Consultants in the preparation of architectural and other engineering designs to support the modernization program. DMA staff develops scopes of work for A/Es, reviews and approves the project construction documents that are prepared by the consultants;

c. Manages construction contracts to ensure that the Authority’s housing stock is in sound condition, and the work is executed as required in the documents and all applicable codes;

d. Performs construction inspections for all DMA construction projects. Prepares in-house designs for various construction projects;

e. Prepares budget estimates and detailed construction cost estimates for modernization projects.

f. Provide technical and management support services to the regional maintenance departments, the Office of Planning and Development, occupied rehabilitation program, and various District of Columbia government agencies

The division is staffed by Architects, Engineers, and Project Managers.

Mechanical Operations Division

The Mechanical Operations Division is charged with managing the safe and efficient operation of the major mechanical and electrical systems in DCHA. These systems consist of large boiler rooms with major heating and cooling equipment, incoming electrical distribution equipment, main sanitary and storm sewer lines, emergency generator equipment, domestic hot water systems, elevators, fire alarm and security monitoring systems.

The corrective and preventive maintenance tasks are achieved through the use of in-house staff supported by maintenance services contracts.

These specialized services have minimized major systems breakdowns and brought a level of systems’ safety and reliability never before experienced by DCHA residents.

The division is staffed by mechanical and electrical systems technicians and trades people.

The Modernization Program

The modernization program is currently performing at a peak level; the challenge to this Agency in the years ahead is to maintain this level of performance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A high performing modernization program would be evidenced by the ability to accomplish the following:

• Recruit and retain high caliber, trained and experienced professionals including architects, engineers, project managers, and planning and budget management staff;

• Obligate and expend all approved modernization funds in a timely manner, and within HUD approved time schedules;

• Effective contract management to ensure that there is no significant finding by HUD or, where there findings, they have all been corrected by the end of the affected fiscal year. “Finding” in this term refers to a violation of a statute, regulation, ACC, Corrective Action Order, or other HUD requirement;

• Effective inspection and management of the quality of physical work performed on agency properties to ensure that the agency receives no significant finding from HUD on-site inspections;

• Establishment and maintenance of effective budget controls that ensure that HUD approved modernization funds are expended only on work items that were identified in HUD approved budgets or Five Year Action Plans, excluding emergencies;

• Maintenance of a regularly updated Physical and Management Needs Assessment and Five Year Plan;

• Maintenance of a system that ensures that construction management and systems maintenance in general are on par with the private industry;

• Involvement of residents and the community in the development and general management of modernization budgets;

• Provide reliable and adequate heating, cooling and electrical system services to residents.

• Standardization of equipment and materials to ensure uniformity of modernization and maintenance efforts;

• Well functioning preventive maintenance program;

• Efficiently managed utility program that will allow the Agency to become an energy source provider;

• Automation of energy management, security, and fire alarm systems.

• Market the highly technical services to the various District government and other agencies to generate revenue for DCHA.