Attachment_VII__QASP_-_Frank_Cable_Switchboard_Upgrades_6_1_16.docx

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

Military Sealift Command USS FRANK CABLE (AS-40) 1S, 2S, 1SAS, and 2SAS Switchboard Upgrades

1. Purpose. The circuit breakers and buswork in the 1S Switchboard, 2S Switchboard, 1SAS (Ship Along Side) Switchboard, and 2SAS Switchboard Circuit breakers are not adequate to support the mission of the USS Frank Cable. Complications with circuit breaker ratings and high ambient temperatures have become an issue with internal switchboard temperatures exceeding 50 º C with installed equipment only rated for 40º C. The Military Sealift Command (MSC) requires Contractor support for the procurement, fabrication, installation, and testing of these Switchboard Modifications.

1.1. The task consists of Procurement, Installation (including testing), and Final As-Built Drawing Deliverables in accordance with the PWS.

1.1.1. Material Procurement/Construction. Will require the Contractor to procure all material, pre-fabricate material as required, and prepare all items for shipping.

1.1.2. Installation and Testing. This installation will be completed during a shipyard availability, and will entail the removal of the old equipment, installation of the new equipment, full testing of all equipment along with the final commissioning during dock and sea trials. Signed Test reports and Thermographic Surveys showing no hot spots shall be provided upon completion along with signatures approving the installation by the attending ABS Surveyor.

1.1.3. As-Built Drawings and Tech Manual updates. The Contractor shall provide As-Built drawings and Tech Manual updates in accordance with the PWS that detail the final configurations.

1.2. The quality assurance program is designed to ensure quality service is maintained to perform services throughout the life of the contract and these methods for improving the overall quality are also employed. This QASP describes the procedures the Government will use to monitor the service provider’s compliance with the requirements of the PWS. The QASP focuses on the quality, quantity, timeliness, etc. of the performance outputs to be delivered by the contractor, and not on the steps required or procedures used to provide the product or services.

2. Performance Standards. The QASP provides a systematic method to evaluate the service the Contractor is required to furnish. The COR with the assistance of the Technical Assistant (TA) will assess the Contractor’s performance to ensure the Contractor is performing up to the specified standards. The performance standards for this performance work statement are stated in the Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) included in this QASP. The standards are subjective for this requirement.

3. Management and Oversight. The Government will conduct systematic surveillance of all aspects of this contract to ensure all requirements of the performance work statement (PWS) are satisfactorily fulfilled. However, the Government’s quality assurance program is not a substitute for the contractor’s quality control program. The QASP is based on the premise that the Contractor and not the Government, is responsible for the management and any Quality Control action required to meet the terms of the contract. The Government expects the contractor to detect and correct deficiencies before products and services are delivered to customers, as specified in the contractor’s approved quality control plan.

The Government will rely on the contractor’s quality control program, which shall be part of its proposal. The plan shall discuss the contractor’s overall approach and procedures for evaluating each of the major service areas contained in the performance work statement (PWS), communicating with the Government, resolving deficiencies, and identifying potential improvements. The plan shall also discuss contingency intentions to ensure uninterrupted service is provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The performance requirements recognize that the Contractor is not a perfect manager and that unforeseen requirements and uncontrollable problems do occur. Good management and use of an adequate Quality Control Plan will allow the Contractor to operate within specific performance requirements. QASPs are designed to be objective, fair, and consistent in evaluating Contractor performance against the provided standards. The contractor’s quality control plan will be reviewed and approved prior to contract award.

4. Relationship of QASP to the Contract.

This QASP is not part of the solicitation nor will it be made part of any resulting contract. The Government will provide the successful offeror an information copy of the QASP to enable the offeror to enhance its quality control program that interrelates with the Government’s QASP. The Government will retain the right to change the surveillance methods and quality assurance procedures as well as to increase or decrease the degree of surveillance efforts at any time necessary to assure contract compliance.

5. Acceptable Quality Levels (AQLs). AQLs have been established in the enclosed PRS and provide performance standards the Contractor will meet in performing the contract. In the event the Contractor does not meet the established AQLs, the contracting officer (KO) has the right to exercise the negative incentives stated in this QASP.

6. Primary Method of Surveillance/Evaluation. The COR or TA will perform evaluation based on using one or more of the various methods outline in the PRS Table included in this QASP. The following methods may be incorporated into the PRS to monitor contract performance:

- 100% inspection: Inspection where specific characteristics of every performance unit are examined and tested to determine conformance with requirements.

- Random inspection/Contract Discrepancy Inspections (CDI): Sampling method in which each unit of the population has an equal chance of being selected.

- Customer Surveys and Feedback: A review method where customers and end users are surveyed to provide input on specific service levels.

7. Performance Incentives. The following monetary and non-monetary incentives, besides costs, may be considered when evaluating contractor performance:

8. Substandard Performance. If any of the performance requirements do not meet the AQL set in the PRS table, the COR shall document the discrepancy(s) and shall notify the KO promptly. The KO will then take the appropriate action with the contractor to remedy the substandard performance. When the performance is below the AQL standard, the Government may initiate one or more of the following:

- Implement increased surveillance and/or Contractor reporting

- Adverse performance documentation in the Contractor’s Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS).

- Contract Length Considerations

9. Notification. The TA will notify the COR, in writing, of unacceptable quality levels. The COR will notify the KO in writing. The KO will promptly provide written notification of discrepancies on a monthly basis, or immediately if the situation significantly affects the well-being of the project. The Contractor will be given the opportunity to respond, in writing, to each discrepancy.

10. Response. The Contractor shall provide a written response to the cause and the corrective action to prevent recurrence within 10 working days after receipt of KO’s notification. The Contractor should cite specific quality assurance program procedures or new procedures instituted to prevent recurrence.

11. Records. The COR or designated TA will maintain contract surveillance files as directed by the KO. Surveillance files will include, as a minimum, the following documentation for this contract:

a. COR designation and appointment letters.

b. A copy of the contract and all contract modifications.

c. QASP, Quality Control Plan, and any other monitoring tools, checklists, etc.

d. All correspondence including KO notifications and the Contractor’s response.

e. Contractor reports and meeting minutes

f. Monthly evidence of satisfactory performance

g. Surveillance reports and a summary of the surveillance logs prepared by the COR submitted to the KO annually.

h. Copies of deficiency reports that may be submitted in support of unacceptable performance identified during the performance period by the COR, or when there is a significant change in the assessment in one or more evaluation areas.

i. Annual in-progress reviews conducted and entered into CPARS.

12. Ratings. The following criteria will be used for performance evaluations: Exceptional, Very Good, Good, Marginal, or Unsatisfactory. Upward or downward arrows may be used to indicate an improving or worsening trend insufficient to change to the assessment status.

a. Exceptional. Indicates performance clearly exceeds contractual requirements. There were no problems requiring corrective action.

b. Very Good. Performance meets contractual requirements and exceeds some to the Government’s benefit. The contractual performance of the task and sub-task being assessed was accomplished with some minor problems for which corrective actions taken by the contractor were effective.

c. Good. Indicates performance clearly meets contractual requirements. The area of evaluation contains some minor problems for which the corrective actions appear satisfactory.

d. Marginal. Indicates performance meets contractual requirements. The area of evaluation contains one or more serious problems for which corrective actions have not yet been identified, appear only marginally effective, or have not been fully implemented.

e. Unsatisfactory. Indicates the contractor is in danger of not being able to satisfy contractual requirements and recovery is not likely in a timely manner. The area of evaluation contains one or more serious problems for which the corrective actions appear ineffective.

13. Documentation. Documentation used and referenced to perform surveillance will consist of monthly reports, contractor plans and procedures, schedules, customer feedback and contract data requirements.

a. Recording Observations. Use Surveillance Logs to record information on scheduled observations and deficiencies noted. Each observation is recorded on the log. The documents then become a formal record for reference. The Contractor is to be notified each time a deficiency is found during scheduled observations. The TA makes a notation on the Surveillance Log of the date and time the deficiency was discovered. Then, the COR asks a contractor task leader to initial the notation, documenting notification of the deficiency only.

b. Potential Unacceptable Performance. The COR must identify the specific service that is unacceptable and the possible causes, and ask a number of questions which if answered, will likely pinpoint the source of the problem.

c. Documenting Unacceptable Performance. The COR must attempt to resolve the problem with the contractor. The original log and the attempted solution (along with an evaluation of results) are forwarded to the KO through the COR.

Based on the severity of the discrepancy and the success of the solution, the COR will notify the KO. The Contractor shall complete a response to the unacceptable evolution if requested by the Contracting Officer or by its own choice.

14. Taking Action.

a. The COR may evaluate the contractor’s performance and document any non-compliance, and report it to the KO. Action may be taken against the contractor for an unacceptable rating.

b. When the contractor’s performance is unacceptable and a formal action is indicated, the COR will determine what action is appropriate for the specific circumstances and make a recommendation to the KO.

15. Documentation. The COR retains a copy of all inspection schedules and surveillance activity logs during the course of the contract, and forwards them for inclusion in the contract file at the end of the surveillance period. However, when a specific service becomes unsatisfactory during a surveillance period, the inspection documentation supporting the contract discrepancy report is forwarded to the KO.

16. Performance Requirements Summary (PRS). The performance standards for this PWS are stated in the PRS Below: