QASP_ _Matrix.doc

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN AND MATRIX

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PURPOSE

This Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) is a Government developed and applied document used to make sure that systematic quality assurance methods are used in the administration of the Performance Based Service Contract (PBSC) standards included in this contract. The intent is to ensure that the Contractor performs in accordance with performance metrics set forth in the contract documents, that the Government receives the quality of services called for in the contract and that the Government only pays for the acceptable level of services received.

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AUTHORITY

Authority for issuance of this QASP is provided under FAR 52-212-4(a), Inspection/Acceptance, which provides for inspections and acceptance of the articles, services, and documentation called for in the contract to be accomplished by the Contracting Officer or their duly authorized representative.

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SCOPE

The Contractor, and not the Government, is responsible for management and quality control actions necessary to meet quality standards set forth by the contract. The QASP is put in place to provide Government surveillance oversight of the Contractor’s quality control efforts to assure that they are timely, effective and are delivering the results specified in the contract. The QASP is not a part of the contract nor is it intended to duplicate the Contractor’s Management Plan. The Government may provide the Contractor an information copy of the QASP as an Attachment to the solicitation to support the Contractor’s efforts in developing its plan for maintaining the levels of quality anticipated to be delivered under the terms of the contract.

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RESPONSIBILITIES

The Government resources shall have responsibilities for the implementation of this QASP as follows:

· Contracting Officer – The Contracting Officer ensures performance of all necessary actions for effective contracting, ensures compliance with the terms of the contract and safeguards the interests of the United States in the contractual relationship. It is the Contracting Officer that assures the Contractor receives impartial, fair and equitable treatment under the contract. The Contracting Officer is ultimately responsible for the final determination of the adequacy of the Contractor’s performance.

· Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) – An individual designated in writing by the Contracting Officer to act as his authorized representative to assist in administering a contract. The source and authority for the COR is the Contracting Officer. COR limitations are contained in the written letter of appointment.

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METHODS OF QA SURVEILLANCE

The below listed methods of surveillance shall be used in the administration of this QASP. The QASP Matrix (attached) describes the methods of surveillance that may be used to monitor the services and deliverables to be provided under the contract.

· Random Monitoring – Random monitoring shall be conducted if and when deemed necessary to ensure compliance with the terms of the contract. The COR will conduct the random monitoring.

· Random Checks/Inspections – Random checks will be conducted to ensure compliance with the terms of the contract. The COR will conduct the random monitoring.

· Customer Feedback – Customer feedback may be obtained either from the results of formal customer satisfaction surveys or from random customer complaints. Customer complaints, to be considered valid, must set forth clearly and in writing the detailed nature of the complaint, must be signed and must be forwarded to the Contractor. The Contractor shall maintain a summary log of all formally received customer complaints as well as a copy of each complaint in a documentation file.

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IDENTIFIED QA SURVEILLANCE ITEMS

The PBSC items that have been identified for surveillance are identified in the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

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DOCUMENTATION

The COR will maintain a complete Quality Assurance Surveillance file. The file shall contain such documents as copies of all receiving reports, evaluations, recommendations, and any other actions related to the Government’s performance of the quality assurance function. All such records will be retained for the life of this contract.

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ANALYSIS OF CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE

The analysis of contractor performance shall be conducted at the end of each month and serves to provide a summary of the Contractor’s performance to the Contracting Officer and the Contractor. Overall performance is important in determining whether to increase, decrease or maintain the current level of surveillance and/or whether to initiate corrective action to bring the Contractor’s work up to the standards of the specification.

QASP MATRIX

Timeliness and Accuracy

-If performance is within acceptable levels, it will be considered to be satisfactory. If not, overall performance may be considered unsatisfactory.

INCENTIVES/DISINCENTIVES:

The COR will make an annual report on Contractor Performance (CPARS or other annual report). The contractor’s failure to achieve satisfactory performance under the contract, reflected in the COR’s annual report, may result in termination of the contract and may also result in the loss of future Government contracts.

In accordance with the inspection of services provisions of the contract, the contractor will be incentivized to provide quality products in a timely manner since the Government can require the Contractor, at no additional cost, to replace or correct work that fails to meet contract requirements.

For each item that does not meet acceptable levels, the Government may issue a Contract Discrepancy Report (CDR). CDRs will be forwarded to the Contracting Officer with a copy sent to the contractor. The contractor must reply in writing within 5 days of receipt identifying how future occurrences of the problem will be prevented. Based upon the contractor’s past performance and plan to solve the problem, the Contracting Officer will determine if any further action will be taken.