QASP.doc

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

FOR

Agricultural Research Plots

1. 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 and in subsequent task orders issued there under. 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.

The QASP has been developed by the requiring activity. It is designed to provide direction to personnel performing contract surveillance activities. Personnel surveying the contract terms and conditions and SOW requirements will periodically review the QASP throughout the life of the contract.

The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will monitor the land provided for conducting agricultural research plots at the designated sites to ensure all meet the specified requirements. Sites provided in Benton, Cass, Carroll, Hamilton, Story, and Washington counties in Iowa must meet area, access, and management specifications.

2. SCOPE

The QASP is put in place to provide Government surveillance oversight of the Contractor’s quality control efforts to ensure the products/results specified in the PR&C or task order are delivered on time and meet the requirements of the PR&C or task order. The QASP is not intended to duplicate the Contractor’s Management Plan.

3. GOVERNMENT RESOURCES

The following definitions for Government resources are applicable to this plan:

Contracting Officer - A person duly appointed with the authority to enter into, administer, or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the Government.

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 a COR is the Contracting Officer. COR limitations are contained in the written letter of appointment.

4. 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 ensures 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) - 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 Contracting Officer for action.

5. METHODS OF QA SURVEILLANCE

The below listed methods of surveillance shall be used in the administration of this QASP.

100% Inspection – The method used to evaluate the contractor when required by the contract Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) as noted in Technical Exhibit 1. Using this method of inspection, all the parts of the service or requirement are monitored for evaluation. Such performance requirements cover equipment and practices deemed critical for crane lift support. Failure to properly service these items would certainly have an adverse effect on research plot data quality.

6. LEVELS AND STANDARDS OF SERVICE

The standards of services are held to and comply with the standards specified in the PR&C, commercial/industry, and military/government standards.

7. IDENTIFIED QA SURVEILLANCE ITEMS

Performance Requirements

8. DOCUMENTATION

The COR shall, in addition to providing documentation to the Contracting Officer, maintain a complete Quality Assurance file. All such records will be retained for the life of this contract.