Chapter 13: Building and Site Condition Assessments

Building and Site Condition Assessments are required for certain OSPI grants and programs.

A Building Condition Assessment (BCA) is an evaluation of useful life, energy consumption, history, code compliance and performance standards of a school building and each of its systems. This assessment process identifies and prioritizes the backlog of building deficiencies that should be addressed by the school district’s management plan.
A Site Condition Assessment systematically evaluates site components to aid in capital planning and prioritization, similar to a BCA. It is a high-level, subjective evaluation, not a detailed audit or inspection.

1301: Accessing the Condition Assessment Tool in ICOS

Building and Site Condition Assessments are conducted via the online system ICOS. Refer to Chapter 2: Inventory and Condition of Schools (ICOS) for details on accessing ICOS.

An ICOS account is required. Please note that your BCA scores will be associated with the name on your account. Contact your Regional Coordinator for additional guidance on navigating ICOS.

1302: Programs that Require Condition Assessments

Programs that Require Building Condition Assessments

OSPI Program	What is Required	For Additional Information
Study and Survey	Certified Building Condition and Site Condition Assessment. The BCA's of all recognized buildings need to be done by a BCA Certified assessor, but the site conditions can be done by a certified or non-certified individual.	Chapter 11: Advance Planning—The Study and Survey
Asset Preservation Program	District-Level Building Condition Assessment, with Certified BCA performed every sixth year from when the APP Building received board approval of the project	Chapter 12: Asset Preservation Program
Small District Rural Modernization Grant	Building Condition Assessments may be required for select OSPI-Administered Facilities Grants. Be sure to follow the language of the grant application closely.	Chapter 14: OSPI-Administered Facilities Grants

Programs that Require Site Condition Assessments

OSPI Program	What is Required	For Additional Information
Study and Survey	Unlike Building Condition Assessments (BCAs), which must be completed for all SCAP-recognized buildings by a third-party certified assessor, Site Condition Assessments are not required to be performed by a certified third party. While Site Condition Assessments are required as part of the Study and Survey, they may be completed by district staff or another non-certified individual. In practice, the same consultant who performs the BCAs often completes the Site Condition Assessments as well, but this is not a requirement.	Chapter 11: Advance Planning—The Study and Survey

1303: District-Level vs. Certified BCA

There are two approaches to completing a BCA: a district-level assessment and a certified assessment. The sections below describe each approach and provide information on locating a certified assessor.

District-Level Building Condition Assessment

A district-level Building Condition Assessment (BCA) is carried out by school district personnel, typically a facility professional who knows and works with the buildings and its systems, where the assessor does not need to hold BCA certification. It often involves periodic updates of previous certified assessments and can be completed relatively quickly.

Certified Building Condition Assessment

A certified Building Condition Assessment (BCA) necessitates engagement by a third-party individual holding BCA Certification. This assessment entails greater depth and complexity, as certification calls for the assessor to possess a comprehensive understanding of the objectives and standards associated with this type of BCA, including its alignment with OSPI’s programs.

Locating a Certified BCA Assessor

Please consult the Building Condition Assessment page on the OSPI website for a roster of BCA-Certified Assessors.

1304: BCA Certification

Obtaining Building Condition Assessment (BCA) Certification

Licensed engineers and architects, and facilities professionals who can show sufficient experience working with buildings are eligible to become BCA Certified. School facilities professionals may be eligible for certification, but cannot perform certified BCA’s within their own district, only outside their district. They may, however, conduct district-level BCA’s within their district.

BCA Certification requires:

Attendance and completion of an in-person BCA Certification training, conducted by OSPI School Facilities and Organization staff. Contact any of the OSPI Regional Coordinators for more information on when the next training might be available.
An Education Data System (EDS) account (See "Set up and Access" in Chapter 2: Inventory and Condition of Schools)
Submission to OSPI of engineer or architect license number, or a professional resume showing the individual has sufficient experience working with buildings.

Locating a Certified BCA Assessor

Please consult the OSPI website for a roster of BCA-Certified Assessors.