ATT 9 QASP Guide.pdf

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

(i) Note: the following Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) is OPM’s codification of its method of implementing FAR 37.601, which requires that performance-based contracts or task orders-

(A) Describe the requirements in terms of results required rather than the methods of performance of the work;

(B) Use measurable performance standards (i.e., in terms of quality, timeliness, quantity, etc.) and quality assurance surveillance plans;

(C) Specify procedures for reductions of fee or for reductions to the price of a fixed-price contract when services are not performed or do not meet contract requirements; and

(D) Include performance incentives where appropriate.

(ii) Offeror must complete the QASP as part of your proposal. A description of the columns and information to be entered follows below. We will use the information provided as part of our evaluation of your offer.

(A) Deliverable: One of the deliverables described in the “Project Scope” section above.

(B) Performance Standard: The level of performance which the Government considers acceptable. A good performance standard in general should:

Measure important things;

Be simple, but not too simple;

Be auditable and capable of validation (quantifiable measures preferred, as they are less subjective);

Attainable and worth the cost;

Have a level of detail that corresponds to the intent of the stated measure and expectation;

Be consistently combined with other measures to reflect corporate priorities;

and Be controlled by the contractor.

The following performance standards represent the measures OPM considers appropriate to the performance evaluation of the deliverables and services that OPM expects to receive from the defined-benefits technology solution and the successful solutions provider.

• Timeliness of deliverable completion;

• Accuracy of deliverable;

• Quality of Customer Services/Professionalism

• Quality/Timeliness associated with management of staff;

• Responsiveness to Ad Hoc related requests.

Attachment (2)

(iii)Acceptable Quality Level: The range of deviation—if any—in which the Government will consider performance to be acceptable. Offeror must propose an Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) for each performance standard for each deliverable. If offeror fails to achieve stated AQLs, OPM will reduce the offeror’s payment for the services rendered in accordance with the disincentive formula or take other steps as indicated in the QASP. You must enter the AQLs for each deliverable or category of goods/services.. For a sample, see Attachment XXX.

(iv) Monitoring Method

(A) This is the method OPM will use to monitor performance and determine the extent to which performance has met the standard. Offeror is encouraged to propose a sound process for verifying the accuracy of performance data on a continuing or recurring basis.

Regardless of the method or degree of monitoring, we reserve the right to audit all performance data to independently verify its accuracy.

(B) In general, we prefer monitoring methods that automatically capture measurements as part of the process and do not place a burden on either the offeror or OPM to collect and analyze data. Student surveys will be utilized by OPM to monitor all relevant performance under contract award.

(v) Incentive / Price Reduction

(A) For each AQL, your proposal must specify a maximum price reduction that will take effect if you fail to meet the AQL. The proposal must also specify the formulas and decision criteria that we will use to calculate the actual amount of price reduction for the related CLIN.

(B) OPM is willing to consider proposals that include additional incentives for performance that exceeds the AQL. These incentives may be either monetary or non-monetary.

(I) For monetary incentives, your price proposal must specify a formula or set of decision criteria that we can use to calculate additional incentive payments to you. These incentive payments will only take place if you perform above the AQL. You must specify a maximum incentive payment that we will not be required to exceed, regardless of your performance.

(II) Some examples of non-monetary incentives that we would consider include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Revised schedule

• Reduced oversight

• Positive performance evaluation

• Automatic extension of contract term or option exercise (FAR Part 17 still applies)

• Lengthened contract term (award term contracting) or purchase of extra items (award purchase)

Attachment (2)

• Publish article(s) in agency newsletter or speak at agency seminars

• Letters of appreciation to individual employees, which may translate to bonuses

(C) Your selection of AQLs, incentive formula and price reduction formula will be important to our evaluation. Your response must specify the proposed method for measuring your performance against each performance standard, which we will compare to relevant industry benchmarks.

Deliverable Performance

Standard Acceptable Quality Level

(AQL)

Monitoring Method

Incentive / Price Reduction