QASP_11-16-18_FINAL_Attach_J.4.DOCX

Attachment J.4

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

N0017819R3006

1. PURPOSE

This Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) is a Government-developed and applied document used to make sure the systematic quality assurance methods are used in the administration of this contract. The intent is to ensure that the contractor performs in accordance with the performance objectives and the Government receives the quality of services called for in the contract. In addition, this QASP provides the specific criteria and process to be followed in consideration of the exercise of any options.

The purpose of the QASP is to describe the systematic methods used to monitor performance and to identify the required documentation and the resources to be employed. The QASP provides a means for evaluating whether the Contractor is meeting the performance standards/quality levels identified in the SOW and the Contractor’s quality control plan (QCP), and to ensure that the Government pays only for the level of services required/received.

This QASP defines the roles and responsibilities of Government personnel involved in the evaluation of the quality of contractor performance, identifies the performance objectives, and defines the methodologies used to monitor and evaluate the Contractor’s performance. The QASP also describes quality assurance documentation requirements and describes the analysis of quality assurance monitoring results.

2. AUTHORITY

Authority for issuance of this QASP is provided under Part 46 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, Inspection of Services clauses and Section E – Inspection and Acceptance which provides for inspection, acceptance and documentation of the service called for in the contract or order. This acceptance is to be executed by the Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO) or a duly authorized representative.

3. SCOPE

The SOW structures the acquisition around "what" services or quality level is required, as opposed to "how" the Contractor should perform the work (i.e., results, non-compliance). This QASP will define the performance management approach taken to monitor and manage the Contractor’s performance to ensure the expected outcomes or performance objectives communicated in the SOW 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.

The Contractor is responsible for the quality of all work performed. The Contractor measures that quality through the Contractor’s own QCP. Quality control is work output, not workers, and therefore includes all work performed under this task order regardless of whether the work is performed by Contractor employees or by Sub-Contractors. 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 SOW. The Contractor will develop and implement a performance management system with processes to assess and report its performance to the designated Government representative. This QASP enables the Government to take advantage of the Contractor’s QCP.

A preliminary QASP evaluation/rating will be performed according to the schedule as noted below. The purpose of this review is to determine whether the Contractor is performing at least at a "Satisfactory" level for each major element assessed using Table 1. This methodology will be utilized as an important factor in determining if a Contractor will be considered for new Delivery Orders.

The Government will assess performance of the overall contract using the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) at the end of each Period of Performance (PoP). The Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR) assesses a Contractor’s performance, both positive and negative, and provides a record on a given task order during a specified period of time. More information pertaining to CPARS can be found at: https://www.cpars.gov.

4. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO) – An individual duly appointed with the authority to enter into contracts and make related determination and findings on behalf of the Government. PCOs are designated via a written warrant, which sets forth limitations of their respective authority. The PCO ensures performance of all necessary actions for effective contract administration ensures compliance with the terms of the contract and safeguards the interests of the United States in the contractual relationship. It is the PCO that ensures the Contractor receives impartial, fair and equitable treatment under the contract. The PCO is ultimately responsible for the final determination of the acceptability of the Contractor’s performance. The PCO for this task order is identified in Section G.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) – An individual appointed in writing by the PCO to act as their authorized representative to assist in technical administration. The limitations of authority are contained in a written letter of appointment which is a formal attachment to the contract. The COR is responsible for technical administration of the task order and assures proper Government surveillance of the Contractor’s technical performance. The COR provides QASP reports to the PCO. The COR is not empowered to make any contractual commitments or to authorize any changes on the Government’s behalf. Any changes that the Contractor deems may affect contract price, terms, or conditions shall be referred to the PCO for action.

Contract Specialist – An individual assigned by the PCO to provide daily administration of the contract.

The contract specialist provides input to the PCO and the COR as to the quality of performance for areas addressed in this QASP.

Subject Matter Expert (SME) – Individuals who may be assigned by the COR to perform limited technical oversight of specific projects, work areas, or Technical Instructions issued under the contract. A SME provides input to the COR as to the quality of technical performance for their respective area(s) of expertise. A SME cannot, in any manner, alter the scope of the contract, make commitments or authorize any changes on the Government’s behalf.

5. SCHEDULE

The initial QASP evaluation will be finalized no later than the end of month ten (10). Subsequent evaluations will be finalized yearly thereafter. . The evaluation will encompass all work performed by the Contractor during the assessment period, but will not include cumulative information from prior assessments unless the information applies to corrective actions required as a result of the prior assessment. In order to accomplish this, the following schedule applies:

COR Written Assessment is due to the PCO no later than the end of week two (2) of month ten (10) of the period of performance.

QASP Evaluation - The PCO will review the COR Written Assessment, determine an overall performance rating for the period, and provide a copy to the Contractor no later than week four (4) of month ten (10) of the period of performance.

Interim Evaluations – The COR can provide feedback to the PCO at any time during the period of performance.

If the feedback indicates that the Contractor is not meeting the acceptable performance standards as defined herein, the PCO will provide this feedback to the Contractor immediately.

6. IDENTIFICATION OF REQUIRED PERFORMANCE STANDARDS/QUALITY LEVELS

The overall performance ratings and standards are included in Table 1, “Task Performance Evaluation Criteria and Standards”. If the Contractor fails to meet the required performance level based on the preliminary review conducted in accordance with the QASP, the Government may not issue further delivery orders. To meet the required performance level, the Contractor must receive at least a "Satisfactory" rating for each of the performance requirements identified in Table 2, “Performance Requirements Surveillance Matrix”, for the performance period being evaluated.

7. QUALITY ASSURANCE DOCUMENTATION

The Performance Management Feedback Loop - The performance management feedback loop begins with the communication of expected outcomes. Performance standards are expressed in Table 1. Table 2 provides the “Performance Requirements Surveillance Matrix”. This matrix details the method of surveillance the COR will use to validate and inspect these performance elements. Inspection of each element will be documented in the COR file.

8. MONITORING SYSTEM

The Government’s QA surveillance, accomplished by the COR, in conjunction with the PCO, will be reported using the methodology described herein. QASP evaluations will be done yearly.

Table 1 – Task Performance Evaluation Criteria and Standards

In evaluating the quality of Contractor’s performance, the following performance ratings may be used.

Performance Rating Criteria

Satisfactory Performance meets contractual requirements. The contractual performance contains some minor problems for which corrective actions taken by the Contractor were satisfactory.

Unsatisfactory Performance does not meet most contractual requirements and recovery is not likely in a timely manner. The contractual performance contains serious problem(s) for which the Contractor’s corrective actions appear or were ineffective.

Table 2 – Performance Requirements Surveillance Matrix

Performance Element: Quality of Product or Service

Performance Element: Schedule and Timeliness

Performance Element: Management/Business Relations – Problem Resolution, Responsiveness, and/or Communication

Performance Element: Other Direct Cost – Materials and Travel

Performance Element: Cost Control & Reporting