QASP USNS MERCY N3220522Q0179.doc

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

Military Sealift Command (MSC) USNS MERCY (T-AH 19) Integrated Bridge System (IBS) and Pilot House Upgrades, Design, Build, and Installation Support 1.

Purpose. The USNS Mercy has been in commission approximately 40 years and is at the end of her designed service life. The decision has been made to extend her service life to 2035. The existing bridge, console, and ancillary equipment are from the original construction, and were relocated from the aft portion of the ship to the forward house during the conversion. This equipment was identified as obsolete and in need of upgrading during the 2016 Material Readiness Evaluation. An IBS and rearrangement of the Wheelhouse (04-34-0), related spaces and equipment upgrades are required to allow for MSC navigation personnel to safely and efficiently operate the vessel. The Wheelhouse will be outfitted with an IBS that meets ABS and USCG requirements and is supportable for twenty years. The MSC requires Contractor support for the design, procurement, integration, installation, and support of the IBS and Pilot House Upgrades.

1.1.

The task consists of Engineering and Design, Procurement and Integration, and Installation and Support in accordance with the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

a.

Engineering and Design. The IBS Contractor shall be responsible for performing the necessary engineering and design to accomplish the provision, fabrication, removals, installation, commissioning operation and certification of the IBS and Compartment Upgrades in accordance with the PWS and with applicable ABS, USCG, IEEE and vendor requirements. Contractor will develop all required training materials for the operators, Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) procedures and final dock and sea trial test procedures. The Contractor shall design and provide all deliverables in accordance with the PWS, the requirements of this QASP and the attached Performance Requirements Summary (PRS). Deliverables specified in PWS include but are not limited to drawings, work specifications, tech manuals, calculations, and cost estimates.

b.

Procurement and Fabrication. Contractor shall procure and fabricate equipment and material as specified in the PWS to accomplish the modifications. The system and all components are to be tested in accordance with the requirements specified in the PWS. Pre-fabricate material as required and prepare all items for shipping. Provide satisfactory FAT. Components are to be packaged and stored until installation. Contractor to develop spare parts list in accordance with PWS.

c.

Installation Support, Testing, Commissioning, and Final Certification. Contractor shall provide project management and technical expertise to the installing shipyard. IBS Contractor will be responsible for shipping all equipment, overseeing installation, and final testing of new and modified equipment and systems, and regulatory acceptance including dock and sea trials. Contractor shall capture any changes to the drawings as Redlines and update drawings to reflect As-Built Configuration. Contractor shall be responsible for the installation and integration of a new commercial IBS per the requirements specified in the PWS. Contractor shall be responsible for all final terminations both inside and outside of the consoles and will be responsible for Original Equipment Manufacturer acceptance testing.

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.

Roles And Responsibilities

2.1.

Contracting Officer (KO). The KO is responsible for monitoring contract compliance, contract administration, and for resolving any differences between the observations documented by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and the contractor. The KO will designate one full-time COR as the government authority for performance management. A Technical Point of Contact will be identified by the KO.

2.2.

COR. The COR is designated in writing by the KO to act as his or her authorized representative to assist in administering a contract. COR limitations are contained in the written appointment letter. 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 KO for action. The COR will have the responsibility for completing QA monitoring forms used to document the inspection and evaluation of the contractor’s work performance. Government surveillance may occur under the inspection of services clause for any service relating to the contract.

3.

Performance Standards. The QASP provides a systematic method to evaluate the products and services the Contractor is required to furnish. The COR, with the assistance of the TPOC, will assess the Contractor’s performance to ensure the Contractor is performing up to the specified standards. The performance standards for this PWS are stated in enclosure (1) included in this QASP.

4.

Management and Oversight.

4.1.

The Government will conduct systematic surveillance of all aspects of this contract to ensure all requirements of the 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.

4.2.

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 PWS, communicating with the Government, resolving deficiencies, and identifying potential improvements.

4.3.

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.

5.

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.

6.

Acceptable Quality Levels (AQLs). AQLs have been established in enclosure (1) and provide performance standards the Contractor will meet in performing the contract.

7.

Primary Method of Surveillance/Evaluation. The COR or TPOC will perform evaluations using the following methods

7.1.

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

7.2.

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

8.

Substandard Performance. If any of the performance requirements do not meet the AQL set in the PRS, the COR shall document the discrepancy(s) and shall notify the KO. The KO will promptly provide written notification of discrepancies to the Contractor. The Contractor will be given the opportunity to respond, in writing, to each discrepancy. The Contractor shall provide a written response to the cause and the corrective action to prevent recurrence within two (2) working days after receipt of KO’s notification. The Contractor should cite specific quality assurance program procedures or new procedures instituted to prevent recurrence. The KO may take appropriate action in accordance with FAR 52.212.4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items or the other appropriate clauses.

9.

Records. The COR will maintain contract surveillance files in the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE):

9.1.

COR designation and appointment letters.

9.2.

A copy of the contract and all contract modifications.

9.3.

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

9.4.

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

9.5.

Contractor reports and meeting minutes

9.6.

Monthly evidence of satisfactory performance

9.7.

Surveillance reports and a summary of the surveillance logs prepared by the COR.

9.8.

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.

10.

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

10.1 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 TPOC 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.

10.2 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.

10.3 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 KO or by its own choice.

Performance Requirements Summary

Method

Deliverable 100% inspection by COR or TPOC; Customer Surveys and Feedback

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