Exhibit B-4 - VA Interior Design Manual.pdf

This document is the VA Interior Design Manual, a comprehensive guidance document issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Construction & Facilities Management in November 2020.

The manual provides extensive guidance for VA Healthcare Interior Designers (VAHID) and private sector Healthcare Interior Design Teams (HIDT) involved in planning and designing interior spaces for VA healthcare facilities including hospitals, medical centers, community-based outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, and developer-led leased facilities. The manual establishes the VAHID role throughout the full design and construction project process, from preliminary/conceptual design through post-occupancy evaluation. Key design principles address infection control, evidence-based design, patient-centered care, whole health care approaches, healing environments, accessibility compliance with ADA/ABAAS standards, sustainable design, and emerging healthcare design trends including future flexibility, safety, and stress minimization. The document outlines five funding structure levels for VA projects: station level projects, non-recurring maintenance, minor projects, and major projects exceeding $20 million. Critical deliverables include design narratives, finish schedules, furniture/fixture/equipment plans, signage and wayfinding systems, and compliance documentation with VA standards including PG-18 series specifications, design guides, and the VA Space and Equipment Planning System (SEPS). The manual emphasizes collaboration through the Integrated Design Process, coordination with multiple stakeholder groups, and adherence to standards from the Technical Information Library, while serving as a living document that VA staff support for ongoing updates and revisions.