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Program Process-Step 5 - Peer Review and Planning Refinement Process The BSSP completes a Peer Review and Planning Refinement (PRPR) on buildings identified as high-priority seismic risk reduction candidates. If a deficient building is identified as a high-priority risk reduction project, the seismic evaluation is peer reviewed by an independent, outside expert.  If the peer reviewer agrees with the deficiency identification in the evaluation they are asked to consider alternative rehabilitation concepts, which may include the concept detailed in the evaluation, select a preferred alternative, and produce a rehabilitation cost estimate.  The results of the PRPR are then presented to the Regional and Area Offices.  The presentation includes discussions on the various risk reduction and funding options.  The nonreimbursable cost of the PRPR are funded by the BSSP. Finish Removal and Repair In some cases, interior and exterior finishes hide many or all of the structural elements of a building.  If a complete set of drawings are not available for these buildings, the engineer will be forced to assume certain conditions in order to proceed with the seismic evaluation. In certain high-risk buildings, the completion of a seismic evaluation using assumed conditions would be counter-productive because the assumptions would have to be verified before the project could progress. The Finish Removal and Repair (FR&R) plan is used during this Peer Review and Planning Refinement Process (Step 5) to investigate and obtain sufficient detail so that assumptions regarding a building's structural systems will not be necessary during this process or the Structural Rehabilitation Phase in the Final Risk Reduction Design and Planning Process (Step 7). Materials Testing Refined materials strengths can be used to validate results of the seismic evaluation on high-priority buildings and are used in the Final Risk Reduction Design and Planning Process (Step 7).  The BSSP prepares contracts to retain materials testing firms to perform destructive and nondestructive tests when refined material strengths are justified.  The nonreimbursable costs of preparing the contracts, performing the testing, and repairing the building elements and surfaces are funded by the BSSP.  The BSSP coordinates materials testing activities with the Regional and Area Offices. Geological and Seismotectonic Studies Refined site soil profile classification and the availability of site-specific acceleration parameters can be used to validate results of the seismic evaluation on high-priority buildings and are used in the Final Risk Reduction Design and Planning Process (Step 7).  The verification of geological site hazards such as liquefaction, slope failure, rock slides, and surface fault rupture can affect the decisionmaking process for determining if a risk reduction project is practical.  The BSSP prepares contracts to retain engineering firms and drilling companies to perform geological and seismotectonic investigations when justified.  The nonreimbursable costs of preparing contracts, performing investigations, and preparing reports are funded by the BSSP.  The BSSP coordinates geological and seismotectonic activities with the Regional and Area Offices.