Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan.docx

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

1. INTRODUCTION

This quality assurance surveillance plan (QASP) is pursuant to the requirements listed in the performance work statement (PWS) entitled Cardboard, Co-Mingled Paper & Solid Waste removal EO & Lyons. This plan sets forth the procedures and guidelines that the New Jersey VA Medical Center will use to ensure that the required performance standards or service levels are achieved by the contractor.

0. Purpose

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

0. This QASP defines the roles and responsibilities of all members of the integrated project team (IPT), identifies the performance objectives, defines the methodologies used to monitor and evaluate the contractor’s performance, describes quality assurance documentation requirements, and describes the analysis of quality assurance monitoring results.

0. Performance Management Approach

1. The PWS structures the acquisition around what service or quality level is required, as opposed to how the contractor should perform the work (i.e., results, not compliance). This QASP will define the performance management approach taken by the New Jersey VA Medical Center to monitor and manage the contractor’s performance, ensuring the expected outcomes or performance objectives communicated in the PWS 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 performance data analysis is the cornerstone of performance management; this analysis yields information indicating whether the contractor is achieving the project's expected outcomes.

1. Performance management represents a significant shift from the more traditional quality assurance (QA) concepts in several ways. Performance management focuses on assessing whether outcomes are being achieved and to what extent. This approach migrates away from scrutiny of compliance with the processes and practices used to achieve the outcome. A performance-based approach enables the contractor to play a large role in how the work is performed, if the proposed processes are within the stated constraints. The only exceptions to process reviews are those required by law (federal, state, and local) and compelling business situations, such as safety and health. A “results” focus provides the contractor with flexibility to continuously improve and innovate over the course of the contract if the expected critical outcomes are being achieved and/or the desired performance levels are being met.

0. Performance Management Strategy

2. The contractor is responsible for the quality of all work performed. The contractor measures that quality through the contractor’s quality control (QC) program. QC is work output, not workers, and therefore includes all work performed under this contract, regardless of whether the work is performed by contractor employees or subcontractors. 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 PWS. The contractor will develop and implement a performance management system with processes to assess and report its performance to the designated government representative. The contractor’s QCP will also set forth the staffing and procedures for self-inspecting the quality, timeliness, responsiveness, customer satisfaction, and other performance requirements in the PWS. This QASP enables the government to leverage the contractor’s QC program.

2. The government representative(s) will monitor performance and review performance reports furnished by the contractor to determine how the contractor is performing against communicated performance objectives. The government will make determinations regarding incentives based on performance measurement metric data and notify the contractor of those decisions. The contractor will be responsible for making required changes in processes and practices to ensure performance is managed effectively.

1. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. The Contracting Officer (CO/KO) The CO is responsible for monitoring contract compliance, contract administration, and cost control, and resolving any differences between observations documented by the C.O.R Arlene Zayas (Administrative Officer) and the contractor. The CO will designate one full-time COR as the government authority for performance management. The number of additional representatives serving as technical inspectors depends on the complexity of the services measured, as well as the contractor’s performance, and must be identified and designated by the CO.

1. The COR The COR is designated in writing by the CO to act as their authorized representative to assist in administering a contract. COR limitations are contained in the written appointment letter. The COR is responsible for the 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 authorize any contractual changes on the government’s behalf. Any changes the contractor deems may affect contract price, terms, or conditions must be referred to the CO 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.

1. IDENTIFICATION OF REQUIRED PERFORMANCE STANDARDS/QUALITY LEVELS

The required performance standards and/or quality levels are included in the PWS and Attachment 1, Performance Requirements Summary. If the contractor meets the required service or performance level, the monthly amount agreed on in the contract will be paid. Failure to meet the required service or performance level will result in a deduction from the monthly amount.

1. METHODOLOGIES TO MONITOR PERFORMANCE

0. Surveillance Techniques To minimize the performance management burden, the government shall use simplified surveillance methods to evaluate contractor performance when appropriate. The primary methods of surveillance are:

· Random monitoring, which shall be performed by the C.O.R

· 100 percent inspection – Each month, the COR shall review the generated documentation and enter summary results into the Surveillance Activity Checklist

· Periodic inspection – the COR typically performs the periodic inspection 1.

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3. Customer Feedback The contractor is expected to establish and maintain professional communication between its employees and customers. The primary objective of this communication is customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction is the most significant external indicator of the success and effectiveness of all services provided and can be measured through customer complaints.

Performance management drives the contractor to be customer-focused by initially addressing customer complaints internally and investigating issues and/or problems, but the customer always has the option to communicate complaints to the CO or COR rather than to the contractor.

Customer complaints, to be considered valid, must clearly set forth in writing the detailed nature of the complaint, be signed, and be forwarded to the COR. The COR will accept customer complaints and investigate them.

Customer feedback may also be obtained from formal customer satisfaction surveys or from random customer complaints.

3. Acceptable Quality Levels The acceptable quality levels (AQLs) included in Attachment 1 for contractor performance are structured to allow the contractor to manage how the work is performed while providing negative incentives for performance shortfalls. For certain critical activities, such as those involving 1. To ensure compliance with all local ordinances and State laws applicable to the transportation and disposal of solid waste, the desired performance level is set. 2. Contractor will provide a copy of the service report to the COR & 3. Contractor shall maintain all equipment provided at 100 percent. Other performance levels are keyed to the relative importance of the task to the overall mission performance at the New Jersey VA Medical Center.

1. QUALITY ASSURANCE DOCUMENTATION

4. The Performance Management Feedback Loop The performance management feedback loop begins with the communication of expected outcomes. Performance standards are expressed in the PWS and assessed using the performance monitoring techniques shown in Attachment 1.

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4. Monitoring Forms The government’s QA surveillance, accomplished by the C.O.R Arlene Zayas, will be reported using the monitoring form in Attachment 2. The forms, when completed, will document the government’s assessment of the contractor’s performance under the contract to ensure the required results [or insert as appropriate: service or quality levels] are being achieved.

1. The C.O.R Arlene Zayas (Administrative Officer) will retain a copy of all completed QA surveillance forms.

1. ANALYSIS OF QUALITY ASSURANCE ASSESSMENT

5. Determining Performance

0. The government shall use the monitoring methods cited to determine whether the performance standards/service levels/AQLs have been met. If the contractor has not met the minimum requirements, it may be asked to develop a corrective action plan to show how and by what date it intends to bring performance up to the required levels. Failure to meet the AQL may result in a deduction from the monthly payment, using the deduction percentages shown in Attachment 1.

5. Reporting

1. At the end of each month, the C.O.R Arlene Zayas (Administrative Officer) will prepare a written report summarizing the overall results of the quality assurance surveillance of the contractor’s performance. This report, which includes the contractor’s submitted monthly report and the completed quality assurance monitoring forms (Attachment 2), will become part of the QA documentation. It will enable the government to demonstrate whether the contractor is meeting the stated objectives and/or performance standards, including cost/technical/scheduling objectives.

5. Reviews and Resolution

2. The C.O.R Arlene Zayas (Administrative Officer) may require the contractor’s project manager or designated alternative to meet with the Contracting Officer and other government IPT personnel as deemed necessary to discuss the performance evaluation. The C.O.R Arlene Zayas (Administrative Officer) will define a frequency of in-depth reviews with the contractor, including appropriate self-assessments by the contractor; however, if the need arises, the contractor will meet with the C.O.R Arlene Zayas (Administrative Officer) as often as required or per the contractor’s request. The agenda of the reviews may include:

· Monthly performance assessment data and trend analysis

· Issues and concerns of both parties

· Projected outlook for upcoming months and progress against expected trends, including a corrective action plan analysis

· Recommendations for improved efficiency and/or effectiveness

· Issues arising from the performance monitoring processes 1.

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2. The C.O.R & Contracting Officer must coordinate and communicate with the contractor to resolve issues and concerns regarding marginal or unacceptable performance.

2. The C.O.R Arlene Zayas (Administrative Officer) and the contractor should jointly formulate tactical and long-term courses of action. Decisions regarding changes to metrics, thresholds, or service levels should be clearly documented. Changes to service levels, procedures, and metrics will be incorporated as a contract modification at the convenience of the procuring CO (PCO) or ACO.

ATTACHMENT 1: PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

Review Past performance

ATTACHMENT 2: SAMPLE QUALITY ASSURANCE MONITORING FORM

SERVICE or STANDARD:

SURVEY PERIOD:

SURVEILLANCE METHOD (check):

Random Sampling 100% Inspection Periodic Inspection Customer Complaint LEVEL OF SURVEILLANCE (check):

ANALYSIS OF RESULTS:

Observed Service Provider Performance Measurement Rate: ______%

Narrative of Performance During Survey Period:

PREPARED BY: ___Clifford S. Harrison____ DATE: ___04/22/2026______________