00265_RFP Attch 4 - QASP.pdf

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA)

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

Version: Draft, 5/4/2021

Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR) CoastWatch Program Science Support

Contract Number: [TBD @ Award]

Contract Description

The Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR), an Office within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Environmental Satellite Data, and Information Service (NESDIS), provides and enables oceanographic, meteorological and terrestrial satellite data, products, and applications for diverse organizations and users world-wide. STAR is the part of NESDIS that provides scientific-based guidance for development and evolution of satellite missions, sensors and other Earth observing capabilities as well as the development, distribution and assurance of high quality, fit-for-purpose multi-sensor satellite data products from both NOAA and non-NOAA missions.

Within STAR, the Satellite Oceanography and Climatology Division (SOCD) provides the primary research and science development support for oceanic remote sensing within NOAA.

Within SOCD, work is executed under the auspices of nine science teams (see Figure 1).

Figure 1 - SOCD

The work of these science teams is supported by the various funding within NOAA STAR SOCD, along with other internal and external (e.g., Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS)) program funding. SOCD supports the ocean observation, product and information needs of users and facilitates and enables various cross-cutting activities and functions in support of these ocean and coastal users domestically and internationally, frequently executed in partnership with diverse agency and other partner organizations and entities. In this broader context, Contractor workforce is required to provide program science support for CoastWatch.

The NOAA CoastWatch/OceanWatch/PolarWatch Program (hereafter “CoastWatch”) provides easy access to global and regional satellite data products for use in understanding, managing and protecting ocean and coastal resources and for assessing impacts of environmental change in ecosystems, weather, and climate. CoastWatch facilitates the use of satellite data in ocean, coastal and inland water applications through increasing levels of service and assistance from providing data access through data portals to hands-on training to collaboration in the development of downstream products using satellite data as input. Its primary users include Federal, State, and local agency scientists and decision-makers, coastal and ocean resource managers, academic researchers, commercial entities and the general public, including both domestic and international users.

The CoastWatch program is structured as a “hub and spokes” residing within STAR/SOCD. The “hub” is composed of program functions, research and development, and the core CoastWatch Central Science Team; the “spokes” are (currently) six CoastWatch Regional Nodes and are housed geographically across the country and within other NOAA Line Offices (see Figure 2).

Figure 2 – CoastWatch Program

The Regional Nodes establish, enable, and fulfill NOAA mission requirements on behalf of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the National Ocean Service (NOS), and the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR). CoastWatch is primarily funded through the Ocean Remote Sensing (ORS) program managed internally at SOCD and leverages federal employees as program manager and as the principal investigators and managers of the Regional Nodes. The CoastWatch Central science team (hereafter, “CoastWatch Central”) is the primary focus of this contract. This statement of work covers the contributions of CoastWatch Central to the CoastWatch program as a whole (including interactions with the (currently) six Regional Nodes) to support the broad range of CoastWatch user needs for ocean remote sensing data, products, and services.

Contractor’s Name: [TBD @ Award]

1 Purpose

This Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) provides a systematic method to evaluate performance for the stated contract. This QASP explains the following:

Deliverables will be completed as scheduled in section 8 of the Statement of Work.

Performance Standard: A 90% satisfaction level by the customer as determined by user surveys.

Acceptable quality level (AQL)/compliance level: Tasks completed by the milestones established in the program plan, with acceptance by the STAR CoastWatch Central Program Manager.

The Contractor shall provide Monthly Reports which shall include sufficient detail to enable the Government to adequately monitor progress on this work. In addition to monthly reports, invoice reporting at the task level will be required.

The contractor shall provide annual progress reports which shall include a summary of activity under the tasks including statements on the project’s objectives, scope, methodology, information obtained, and conclusions. The report shall also identify accomplishments and any pending issues/comments for the tasks. The report shall also include any additional information – including findings and recommendations – that may assist the Government in evaluating progress and managing activities under the CoastWatch Central service support contract.

2 Government Roles and Responsibilities.

a) Contracting Officer (CO) – The CO shall ensure performance of all necessary actions for effective contracting, ensure compliance with the contract terms, and shall safeguard the interests of the United States in the contractual relationship. The CO shall also assure that the Contractor receives impartial, fair, and equitable treatment under this contract. The CO is ultimately responsible for the final determination of the adequacy of the Contractor’s performance.

Assigned CO: Todd Blose Organization or Agency: NOAA/AGO/SIAD Telephone: (301) 286-1726 Email: todd.blose@noaa.gov

b) Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) – The COR is responsible for technical administration of the contract and shall assure proper Government surveillance of the Contractor’s performance. The COR shall keep a quality assurance file. At the conclusion of the contract or when requested by the CO, the COR shall provide this documentation to the CO. The COR is not empowered to make any contractual commitments or to authorize any contractual changes on the Government’s behalf. The Contractor shall refer any changes they deem may affect contract price, terms, or conditions to the CO for action.

Assigned COR: Sean Helfrich Telephone: (301) 683-3328 Email: sean.helfrich@noaa.gov

c) Other Key Government Personnel

Name: Veronica Lance Title: CoastWatch Program Manager Telephone: (301) 683-3319 Email: veronica.lance@noaa.gov

3 Contractor Representatives

a) Program Manager: [TBD @ Award]

Telephone: [TBD @ Award] Email: [TBD @ Award]

b) Director of Contracts: [TBD @ Award] Telephone: [TBD @ Award] Email: [TBD @ Award]

4 Performance Standards

This QASP provides a systematic method to evaluate the service the Contractor is required to furnish. The COR will assess the Contractor’s performance to ensure the Contractor is performing up to the specified standards. The performance standards for this are stated in the Statement of Work (SOW) and Technical Direction (work assignment subtasks) included in this QASP.

5 Incentives

This is not an incentive-based contract.

6 Methods of Quality Assurance Surveillance

The COR will perform evaluation based on using one of the various methods outlined in the performance table included in paragraph 7. The following methods may be incorporated into the PRS to monitor contract performance:

Direct random observation: Periodic sampling method in which each unit of the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Customer Surveys and Feedback: A periodic review method where customers and end users are surveyed to provide input on specific service levels.

7 Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan Table

Service Output Performance

Objective

Acceptable Quality Level

(AQL)

Method of Inspection

Positive Incentive

Negative Incentive

Action Task to Customer Request

Completion of request

90% User survey N/A N/A

8 Ratings

Performance on completion of milestones will be measured quarterly using the table below:

EXCEPTIONAL:

Performance significantly exceeds contract requirements to the Government’s benefit.

GOOD: Performance exceeds contract requirements to the Governments benefit.

SATISFACTORY: Performance meets contractual requirements.

MARGINAL:

Performance indicates an area of evaluation that contains one or more problems for which corrective actions have not been identified.

UNSATISFACTORY: Performance does not meet contractual requirements.

The ongoing work will be rated monthly by the COR.

9 Documenting Performance

a) Acceptable Performance

The Government shall document positive performance. A report template is attached.

Any report may become a part of the supporting documentation for time-and-material payments, or other contractual actions.

b) Unacceptable Performance.

When unacceptable performance occurs, the COR shall inform the Contractor. This will normally be in writing unless circumstances necessitate verbal communication.

In any case, the COR shall document the discussion and place it in the COR file.

When the COR determines formal written communication is required, the COR shall prepare a Contract Discrepancy Report (CDR), and present it to the Contractor's program manager or on-site representative. A CDR template is attached to this QASP.

The Contractor shall acknowledge receipt of the CDR in writing. The CDR will specify if the Contractor is required to prepare a corrective action plan to document how the Contractor shall correct the unacceptable performance and avoid a recurrence. The CDR will also state how long after receipt the Contractor has to present this corrective action plan to the COR. The Government shall review the Contractor's corrective action plan to determine acceptability.

Any CDRs may become a part of the supporting documentation for contract payment deductions, fixed fee deductions, award fee nonpayment, or other contractual actions deemed necessary by the CO.

10 Frequency of Measurement.

a) Frequency of Measurement.

During contract/order performance, the COR shall record performance measurements weekly. This assessment will be shared by the COR with the Division Director at their weekly meeting.

b) Frequency of Performance Assessment Meetings.

The COR and Division Director shall meet with the Contractor monthly to assess performance and shall provide a written assessment.