Enclosure AA - QASP.pdf

RFP# 80GSFC22R0029, ENCLOSURE AA

GOVERNMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE

PLAN

NEAR SPACE NETWORK (NSN) SERVICES

CONTRACT NO. TBD

DATE

FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY (10/2015)

NEAR SPACE NETWORK SERVICES

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

(QASP)

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose

The purpose of this Government Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) is to define the overall approach the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) intends to use to monitor and survey Contractor performance under the Near Space Network (NSN) Services Contract No. TBD. This Firm-Fixed-Price contract provides for the Government to obtain space communication and navigation services and related services for NASA and other federal agencies. The contract will provide communications and navigation services for the Near Space Region in two distinct categories of services: (a) Near Space Direct-to-Earth (DTE) and (b) Near Space Relay.

The QASP is a Government-developed surveillance tool prepared in accordance with FAR 46.601 and NFS 1846.401. It is not part of the contract, per NFS 1846.401(a)(iii), but provided to the Contractor for informational purposes only.

1.2 Scope

This QASP has been developed to evaluate Contractor actions while implementing the Attachment A, Statement of Work (SOW). It is designed to provide an effective surveillance method of monitoring Contractor performance, services, processes, and products provided under this NSN Services contract. This QASP defines the process the Government expects to follow to obtain data, evaluate the Contractor, and determine if contract performance conforms to contract requirements. The Contractor, and not the Government, is responsible for management and quality control actions to meet the terms of the contract.

The role of the Government is quality assurance to ensure contract standards are achieved. In this contract the quality control program is the driver for product quality.

The Contractor is required to develop a comprehensive program of inspections and monitoring actions. The first major step to ensuring a “self-correcting” contract is to ensure that the quality control program approved at the beginning of the contract provides the measures needed to lead the Contractor to success. Once the quality control program is approved, careful application of the process and standards presented in the remainder of this document will ensure a robust quality assurance program.

This plan is applicable to all services performed or products provided by the NSN Services Contractor(s). Throughout this QASP, the term “Contractor” is used. In terms of this plan, it should be known that unless explicitly stated, the term “Contractor” is applicable to both the NSN Services Contractor and any and all of its subcontractors.

2.0 FORMS OF SURVEILLANCE

There exists a wide-ranging spectrum associated with surveillance, ranging from oversight to insight. The strategy and approach to surveillance by GSFC for the NSN Services contract, as detailed in this plan, is one that concentrates primarily on insight as opposed to oversight. However, NASA reserves the right to initiate additional surveillance activities (insight or oversight) on an ‘as-needed’ basis, based upon circumstances and data collected (adverse trends, negative data points, lack of corrective action, etc.) via the surveillance activities defined in this plan.

2.1 Surveillance Strategies

Insight

Insight is an assurance process that uses performance requirements and if definable, performance metrics to ensure process capability, product quality and end-item effectiveness. Insight relies on gathering a minimum set of product or process data that provides adequate visibility into the integrity of the product or process. The data may be acquired from Contractor records, usually in a non-intrusive parallel method.

Insight as applied to this contract will result in lower levels of Government surveillance and allow the Contractor to assume increased responsibility and accountability for the integrity of processes. Insight will rely heavily on evaluating planned contract deliverables, performance standards, and existing Contractor procedures and working documents, if available.

Oversight

Oversight as applied to this contract will result in higher levels of Government surveillance. The Government will gather information pertaining to the Contractor's process through involvement and/or inspection in the process and will monitor the process itself. The Government's involvement in the Contractor's performance, through oversight, will be determined necessary by the Contracting Officer's Representative

(COR).

The Government may use a variety of surveillance methods to evaluate the Contractor's performance. Government surveillance will be conducted on a non-interference basis and in a manner that will not unduly delay work being performed by the Contractor.

2.2 Surveillance Team

All surveillance activities will be implemented using NASA and NASA support-contractor personnel, a delegated agency (e.g., Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)), and/or a surveillance support). The surveillance team may be composed of:

• GSFC Procurement Personnel (i.e., Contracting Officer (CO), Contract Specialist)

• GSFC’s Program Personnel (i.e., COR and Task Monitor(s)

• GSFC Safety, Health and Security Personnel (both physical and Information

Technology (IT) Security)

• GSFC Property Administrator Personnel

The NSN Services CO is responsible for ensuring performance of all necessary actions for effective contracting, ensuring compliance with the terms of the contract, issuing task orders, and safeguarding the interests of the United States in its contractual relationships.

The CO will 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.

The NSN Services COR is designated in writing by the CO to act as his/her authorized technical representative to assist in administering the contract. The COR monitors the technical work performed under the contract, evaluates Contractor performance, serves as the primary interface for the Contractor and the CO for all technical matters, reports on contract status to Program/Project Management, and recommends corrective action when necessary. The COR is not empowered to make any contractual commitments, authorize any contractual changes on the Government’s behalf, or in any way direct the Contractor to operate in conflict with the contract terms and conditions. Any changes that the Contractor deems may affect the contract or task order price, terms, or conditions shall be referred to the CO for action. The COR’s limitations of authority are contained in the NASA Form 1634, COR Delegation.

2.3 Communications

• Periodic reviews

• Electronic mail

• Informal Discussions

• Other communication methods, as required

2.4 Evaluation and Reporting

• Monthly Reports as required

• Monthly Contractor performance metrics as required

• Inspection of deliverable items

2.5 Work Review and Performance Monitoring

The Government will evaluate the Contractor's accomplishment of the technical objectives through the following:

• Periodic meetings with the Contractor to review progress and identify problems.

• Preparation and submission of Contractor Performance Annual Reporting System (CPARS) reports.

• Conduct inspection and acceptance of the Contractor's deliverable service.

• Review Contractor's safety and security procedures and performance.

• Validate that Contractor is performing according to the required contractual plans

(e.g. testing, integration, quality assurance, etc.) by physical inspection, review of submitted reports, and meetings with the contract manager.

2.6 Record Keeping and Documentation

The COR is responsible for maintaining accurate and complete records of the Contractor’s performance. The COR is responsible for collecting the performance evaluation documentation and maintaining any other material that reflects the quality of the Contractor performance. Even though the Contractor is responsible for ensuring performance compliance under their quality control requirements, the Government will give the Contractor prompt notice of deficiencies observed by the COR and Task Monitor(s). This does not imply that the Government is obligated to carry out quality control inspections for the Contractor, but that on discovering a problem, the Government will inform the Contractor in detail of the incident. COR will keep CO informed of any issues brought to the attention of the Contractor by the COR.

If performance issues arise, they will be discussed immediately between the CO, COR, and Contractor. Action plans will be developed and resolutions tracked for closure by the Contractor and Government.

During the course of the contract, the COR shall retain a copy of all surveillance documentation. At the end of the surveillance period, these records shall be forwarded to the Contracting Officer for inclusion in the contract file. However, when a specific service or deliverable item becomes unsatisfactory during a surveillance period, a copy of the documentation supporting the unsatisfactory performance shall be forwarded to the Contracting Officer for action between the Government (CO and COR) and Contractor.

2.7 Contract Administration

Contractor maintains effective communication within its own organization, including subcontractors. Problems, technical issues, and programmatic changes are promptly communicated to all concerned. Prime Contractor communication with subcontractors is seamless and transparent to the customer.

3.0 CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING PERFORMANCE

The Contractor's performance in all of the areas listed above will be monitored to assure that ineffective or wasteful methods are not being used. As required by FAR 42.1502 and

GPR 5100.2, Supplier Performance Evaluations, the CO, in collaboration with the COR, will annually complete a Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) evaluation, which will also be reviewed by the Contractor, and become a part of the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS). In the event of a finding that will require immediate attention, the COR will notify the CO of the situation for necessary action. The Contractor will be required to submit a written response and any corrective action steps needed.

4.0 SUMMARY

This Government Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan describes the approach GSFC intends to use to monitor the NSN Services contract and assure that the Contractor performs in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. GSFC anticipates using an insight surveillance approach. The goal is to balance the level of Government surveillance with the perceived impacts and risks of mission failure.

Contracting Officer’s Representative Signature

Contracting Officer Signature