Glossary
contractual employees and budgeted vacancies. Employees of other agencies and
organizations who are housed in the space assignment are also included in the
personnel total.
Plenum: The space between the finished ceiling and the underside of the structural
floor or roof above it. This space is sometimes used to distribute air to occupied spaces
below it, rather than using ducts to run air through.
Primary Office Space: The personnel-occupied area in which an activity's normal
operational functions are performed.
Primary Office Space Utilization Rate: This figure is an indicator of the efficiency with
which the primary office space is used. This number is calculated by dividing the total
occupied primary office square footage by the total number of people in that space.
Private: When used to describe workstations, an office enclosed by four full-height
walls and a door. Some GSA specialists interpret "private" to include space enclosed
by very tall (but not ceiling-high) screen or panels.
Programming: The gathering and analyzing of all client space requirements and
special needs. The written document (a Space Requirements Program) should include
all space requirements broken down by organizational unit, adjacency needs, typical
workstations, special space performance requirements, circulation and layout factors,
analysis of problems, recommendations, and executive summaries.
Punch List: A list of minor problems and deficiencies in the construction/renovation of
a space which need correction before final payment can be made to the contractor and
the space occupied. (See also Acceptance Inspection.)
Raceway: A hollow channel, usually in a systems furniture panel, which contains
electrical, telephone, and computer network wires.
Recurring Reimbursable: A cost which is repetitive in nature, such as on-going guard
service, extra air conditioning, etc. (See also "non-recurring reimbursable.")
Reflected Ceiling Plan: An architectural plan showing the locations of all lights, vents,
and other equipment at the finished ceiling, seen from above, looking down on the floor
and reflected (mirrored) back.
Reimbursable Work Authorization (RWA): GSA Form 2957, which provides payment
for services performed by GSA for a tenant agency, financed from the agency's
appropriations.
RENT (formerly SLUC, Standard Level User Charge): The rate charged Federal
agencies for assigned space in Government-owned or leased real property for which
GSA has assignment responsibility. The rent approximates commercial charges for
comparable space and services. Assessment of the charge is authorized under Public
Law 92-313.
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