Attachment J.6 - QASP IDIQ 2025-01-15.docx

Attachment J.6

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

(QASP)

Research and Technology to Promote Safety of Commercial Motor Vehicles, Drivers, and Carriers

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Office of Research

INTRODUCTION

This quality assurance surveillance plan (QASP) is pursuant to the requirements listed in the work statement (WS) entitled Research and Technology to Promote Safety of Commercial Motor Vehicles, Drivers, and Carriers. This plan sets forth the procedures and guidelines FMCSA will use in ensuring the required performance standards or services levels are achieved by the contractor.

Purpose The purpose of the QASP is to describe the systematic methods used to monitor performance. The QASP provides a means for evaluating whether the contractor is meeting the performance standards/quality levels identified in the WS.

This QASP defines the roles and responsibilities of all members of the integrated project team (IPT), identifies the performance objectives, defines the methodologies used to monitor and evaluate the contractor’s performance, describes quality assurance documentation requirements, and describes the analysis of quality assurance monitoring results.

Performance Management Approach The WS structures the acquisition around “what” service or quality level is required, as opposed to “how” the contractor should perform the work (i.e., results, not compliance). This QASP will define the performance management approach taken by FMCSA to monitor and manage the contractor’s performance to ensure the expected outcomes or performance objectives communicated in the WS are achieved. Performance management rests on developing a capability to review and analyze information generated through performance assessment. The ability to make decisions based on the analysis of performance data is the cornerstone of performance management; this analysis yields information that indicates whether expected outcomes for the project are being achieved by the contractor.

Performance management represents a significant shift from the more traditional quality assurance (QA) concepts in several ways. Performance management focuses on assessing whether outcomes are being achieved and to what extent. This approach migrates away from scrutiny of compliance with the processes and practices used to achieve the outcome. A performance-based approach enables the contractor to play a large role in how the work is performed, as long as, the proposed processes are within the stated constraints. The only exceptions to process reviews are those required by law (federal, state, and local) and compelling business situations, such as safety and health. A “results” focus provides the contractor flexibility to continuously improve and innovate over the course of the contract as long as, the critical outcomes expected are being achieved and/or the desired performance levels are being met.

Performance Management Strategy The contractor is responsible for the quality of all work performed. The contractor measures that quality through the contractor’s own Quality Control (QC) program. QC is work output, not workers, and therefore includes all work performed under this contract regardless of whether the work is performed by contractor employees or by subcontractors. The contractor’s Quality Control Plan (QCP) will set forth the staffing and procedures for self-inspecting the quality, timeliness, responsiveness, customer satisfaction, and other performance requirements in the WS. The contractor will develop and implement a performance management system with processes to assess and report its performance to the designated government representative. The contractor’s QCP will set forth the staffing and procedures for self-inspecting the quality, timeliness, responsiveness, customer satisfaction, and other performance requirements in the WS. This QASP enables the government to take advantage of the contractor’s QC program.

1.3.2 The government representative(s) will monitor performance and review performance reports furnished by the contractor to determine how the contractor is performing against communicated performance objectives. The contractor will be responsible for making required changes in processes and practices to ensure performance is managed effectively.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Contracting Officer The contracting officer (CO) is responsible for monitoring contract compliance, contract administration, and cost control and for resolving any differences between the observations documented by the "contracting officer's representative (COR), "administrative contracting officer (ACO)," "quality assurance representative (QAR),” or "program manager (PM)" and the contractor. The CO will designate one full-time COR as the government authority for performance management. The number of additional representatives serving as technical inspectors depends on the complexity of the services measured, as well as the contractor’s performance, and must be identified and designated by the CO.

The Contracting Officer’s Representative The contracting officer’s representative (COR) is designated in writing by the CO to act as his or her authorized representative to assist in administering a contract. COR limitations are contained in the written appointment letter. The COR is responsible for technical administration of the project and ensures proper government surveillance of the contractor’s performance. The COR is not empowered to make any contractual commitments or to authorize any contractual changes on the government’s behalf. Any changes that the contractor deems may affect contract price, terms, or conditions shall be referred to the CO for action. The COR will have the responsibility for the inspection and evaluation of the contractor’s work performance. Government surveillance may occur under the inspection of services clause for any service relating to the contract.

IDENTIFICATION OF REQUIRED PERFORMANCE STANDARDS/QUALITY LEVELS

The required performance standards and/or quality levels are included in the WS.

METHODOLOGIES TO MONITOR PERFORMANCE

Surveillance Techniques In an effort to minimize the performance management burden, simplified surveillance methods shall be used by the government to evaluate contractor performance and deliverables, when appropriate. The primary methods of surveillance are:

· Random monitoring, which shall be performed by the COR designated inspector.

· 100% Inspection – Each month, the COR shall review all deliverables.

· Periodic Inspection – COR typically performs the periodic inspection monthly.

· If needed, the COR conducts site visits.

REPORTING

On an annual basis, contractor’s overall performance will be evaluated and reported in the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS).

Attachment J.6 – QASP Page 1 of 2 RFP No. 693JJ426R000002