Attachment_0004_Quality_Assurance_Surveillance_Plan_(QASP)_M109A7_LRUs.docx

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

for

M109A7 Line Replaceable Units (LRU) Testing and Diagnostic Support

Reviewed By:

Joseph Cuccaro Requiring Activity

Geoffrey Cramer Contracting Officer

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose: The purpose of the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) is to establish the systematic methods and procedures that the Government will use to monitor and evaluate contractor performance for the mission essential elements of the Performance Work Statement (PWS). The mission essential elements in the PWS are listed in the performance metric column of the Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) (See Section 7).

1.1.1 The QASP defines the essential roles and responsibilities of the integrated product team. The QASP sets forth performance standards, evaluates contractor performance against those standards, and establishes corrective action procedures as appropriate.

1.1.2 The QASP provides direction to personnel performing surveillance activities in accordance with established surveillance methods.

2.0 Performance Management Strategy/Approach: The performance management approach is to control and incentivize contractor performance based on established methods, procedures, and ratings. The approach is described in this section.

· The contractor’s performance is surveyed against the performance metrics in the PRS. The surveillance methodology applied will be specific to the performance metric being monitored. (See PRS Chart in Section 7).

· The contractor will be responsible for making required changes in processes and practices to ensure performance is managed effectively.

3.0. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1 Government. The role of the Government in quality assurance is to ensure the contractor is performing in accordance with the contract requirements, and to the extent the contractor is doing so.

3.2 Contracting Officer. The Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO) is responsible for monitoring contract compliance, contract administration, cost control and safeguarding the interests of the United States Government in contractual relationships. Only the PCO is authorized to bind the Government and then, only to the extent of the authority entrusted to them through the limitations of their warrant.

3.2.1. The PCO will designate one full-time Contracting Officer Representative (COR) on the contract. A COR will be appointed and be the Government authority for performance management, including inspection and/or acceptance responsibilities.

3.2.2. At the time of contract award, the PCO will inform the contractor of the names, duties, and limitations of authority for all quality assurance personnel assigned to the contract.

3.3 Contracting Officer Representative. The COR is designated in writing by the Contracting Officer to act as his or her authorized representative to assist in administering the contract. COR limitations are contained in the written appointment letter. The COR is not empowered to make any contractual commitments, or to authorize any contractual changes on the Government’s behalf. Any changes that may affect contract price, terms or conditions shall be referred to the PCO for action.

3.3.1. The COR is responsible for technical administration of the project and to ensure proper Government surveillance of the contractor’s performance.

3.3.2. The COR monitors contractor performance to ensure contract requirements are met for: Performance, Cost, and Schedule.

3.3.3. The COR ensures that contract quality requirements, provisions, standards, and thresholds are defined, practical, enforceable, necessary, and verifiable.

3.3.4. The COR evaluates and documents contractor performance in accordance with this QASP, the PWS, and contract requirements.

3.3.5. The COR notifies the Contracting Officer of any significant performance deficiencies using a Contractor Discrepancy Report with supporting documentation.

3.3.6. The COR maintains surveillance documentation.

3.3.7. In coordination with the PCO, the COR may recommend improvements to the QASP and PWS throughout the life of the contract.

4.0. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

4.1 This equipment and services are required for the future development of Test Program Sets (TPSs), which will be used to maintain the M109A7 fleet throughout its life cycle. The future TPSs will be utilized to enhance the maintenance of critical equipment and will assure a high level of readiness, platform supportability, improved reliability, expanded capability and reduced maintenance costs. An analysis has been completed on the M109A7 and it has been determined that the organic maintenance of the identified Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) through the use of Army standard Automated Test Equipment (ATE) would have the most benefit to the Government. The hardware and integration is required in order to meet the fielding schedule of the M109A7 program. Next Generation Automated Test System (NGATS) is the latest addition to the Army’s and Department of Defense’s (DoDs) approved family of ATE. It is a modern state-of –the-art system designed and built utilizing an open architecture and commercial instrumentation. The NGATS was designed and developed to replace the Direct Support Electrical System Test Set (DSESTS), Integrated Family of Automated Test Equipment (IFTE) Version 3 (V3) and Version 5 (V5) and to support future weapon systems requirements.

4.1.1 Quality Control. The contractor is responsible for all management and quality control actions to meet the terms of the contract.

4.1.2 Level of Performance Evaluation. The contractor will be evaluated in the following Performance Objective areas: #1 Equipment Procurement (PWS para 3.3.1); #2 Station Enhancements/Management (PWS para 3.4); #3 Integrated Master Schedule (PWS para 4.6); #4 Vulnerability Assessment (PWS para 4.7); #5 Deliverables, Contractor’s Progress & Status (PWS para 5.1) ; #6 Trafficking in Persons (PWS para 8.1).

4.1.3 Timely Feedback to Contractor. Timely feedback to the contractor on deliverables that do not meet contract requirements will be provided by the COR in coordination with the PCO, and documented in writing as required. Prompt feedback is essential so that the contractor can develop and implement a corrective action plan. The contractor's corrective action must be reported to the COR in coordination with the PCO for approval.

5.0 SURVEILLANCE. The COR will perform monthly surveillance. The surveillance will focus on the quality and effectiveness of the contractor’s data deliverables as well as the services provided. Regardless of the surveillance method, the COR shall always contact the contractor's Program Manager (PM) or on-site representative when a defect/issue is identified. The COR, when designated, shall be responsible for monitoring the contractor’s performance in meeting specific performance standards. The COR assigned to perform surveillance of the contractor’s performance will manage surveillance documentation for the assigned contract requirements. The documentation will include the following:

· PWS and other pertinent parts of the contract.

· Other applicable documentation, such as (1) customer and user comments and (2) data and technical reports as required.

5.1 Surveillance Methods. The below surveillance methods may be used by the Government to evaluate contractor performance, when appropriate. The COR will use the following surveillance methods listed below in the administration of this QASP.

a. PLANNED - DIRECT OBSERVATION. (Can be performed periodically or through 100% surveillance.)

b. PERIODIC INSPECTION. (Uses a comprehensive evaluation of selected outputs. Inspections may be scheduled [Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, or Annually] or unscheduled, as required.)

c. PERIODIC SAMPLING. (Variation of random sampling. However, sample is only taken when a deficiency is suspected. Sample results are applicable only for the specific work inspected. Since sample is not entirely random, it cannot be applied to total activity performance.)

d. RANDOM SAMPLING. (Designed to evaluate the outputs of the award requirement by randomly selecting and inspecting a statistically significant sample. Highly recommended for large quantity repetitive activities with objective and measurable quality attributes.)

e. USER SURVEY. (Combines elements of validated user complaints and random sampling. Random survey is conducted to solicit user satisfaction. Appropriate for high quantity activities that have historically been satisfactory. May also generate periodic and 100% inspections.)

f. VALIDATED USER/CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS. (Relies on the user of the service to identify deficiencies. Complaints are then investigated and validated. Highly applicable to services provided in quantity and where quality is highly subjective.)

g. 100% INSPECTION. (Evaluates all outputs. Most applicable to small quantity, but highly important services. May be used where there are written deliverables and stringent requirements such as tasks required by law, safety, or security.)

5.2 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 is measured through the performance metrics survey.

5.2.1 Performance management drives the contractor to be customer focused through initially and internally addressing customer complaints and investigating the issues and/or problems.

5.2.2 The customer has the option to communicate complaints to the COR in coordination with the PCO as opposed to the contractor.

5.2.3 In order to be considered valid, customer complaints, must set forth clearly, and in writing, the detailed nature of the complaint and must be signed and forwarded to the COR in coordination with the PCO.

5.2.4 Customer feedback may also be obtained from the results of either formal customer satisfaction surveys or from random customer complaints.

6.0 DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

6.1 A copy of Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) Reports shall be provided to the COR in coordination with the PCO. Issues and concerns that cannot be resolved at the working level or which impact on contractual requirements shall be reported to the PCO for resolution and contractual action. The reporting requirements are to be delineated in the individual task orders.

6.2 Contract Manpower Reporting Application. The COR is responsible for validating the contractor’s input into the Contract Manpower Reporting Application (CMRA) website at http://www.ecmra.mil/. The COR is to obtain a user name and password, and validate that the contractor has completely filled in required contractor information at the CMRA web site by November 30 of the first year of the contract and annually by November 30 thereafter for the duration of the contract, or sooner if the contract is closed out. The COR shall perform this validation during the month of November each year. The COR shall report the CMRA results in the November Monthly COR Report (due in December of each year) to the PCO each year. Discrepancy Reports are as required.

7.0 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY (PRS)

7.1 Performance Requirements Summary (PRS): The chart below establishes the PRS. The PRS identifies the mission essential performance metrics required for the effort: performance requirements, performance measure, performance standard, Acceptable Performance Level (APL) and method of surveillance.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY/QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

Measure Performance Standard

Acceptable Performance Level

(APL)

Method of Surveillance Compliance (Exceeded, Met or Partially Met)

Completeness All equipment procured shall match items listed on Attachment 4and include 2 year manufacturers extended warranty (if available).

ALL items requested should be procured.

Any schedule slips that do occur will not exceed 5% of the schedule for that item.

No more than 5% labor deviation; no more than 5% schedule slips.

No more than 5% slip.

COR to monitor.

Engineering personnel evaluate.

Quality Report shall be submitted starting 30 days from task award, and submitted 10 business days from the end of each month.

Documentation shall include status of all milestones, accomplishments, activities and progress as defined in the PWS.

Report shall be comprehensive, precise and clearly stated and submitted electronically and contain no errors unless marked draft.

Contractor will immediately correct or establish an acceptable remedy within five (5) working days

Documentation shall include status of all, accomplishments, activities and progress as defined in the PWS

Report shall be comprehensive, precise and clearly stated and submitted electronically and contain no errors unless marked draft.

Contractor will immediately correct or establish an acceptable remedy within five (5) working days

5.1 Deliverables:

Contractor’s Progress & Status Timeliness

Report shall be submitted starting 30 days from task award, and submitted 10 business days from the end of each month.

Documentation shall include status of all milestones, accomplishments, activities and progress as defined in the PWS.

Report shall be comprehensive, precise and clearly stated and submitted electronically and contain no errors unless marked draft.

Part II, Section I – Contract Clauses; 52.222-50, Trafficking in Persons

IAW 52.222-50

Contractor Requirements: The contractor Shall –

1. Notify its employees of

0. The U.S. Government’s Zero Tolerance policy.

0. Actions that will be taken against employees for violations of this policy.

(2) Take appropriate action Validate that the contractor:

(1) Conducted training or kept records with employee signature as understanding of U.S. Zero Tolerance Policy.

(2) Has documented list of what the contractor cites as appropriate actions to violations.

(3) Documented the number of violations to date (if any)

(4) Document actions taken.

1.

1. Review meeting/train-ing/signature records as proof of contractor to employee notification.

1. Validate actions taken by the contractor are documented and if employees are found to be in violation- matches those in FAR 52.222- 50(e)(1).

1. Signed letter from Contractor that all employees have completed training.

Review violations and document contractor actions.

Contractor will immediately correct or establish an acceptable remedy within five (5) working days.

7.2 Non-Compliant Performance. If the contractor’s performance does not meet contract requirements, the COR will document the discrepancy as a non-conformance, and inform the PCO. Performance deficiencies or non-conformances must be submitted to the PCO using a Contractor Discrepancy Report approved by the COR. It must include supporting documentation and its validity must be approved by the PCO.

7.2.1 Revising and resubmitting any deliverable that does not meet contract requirements shall be at no cost to the Government. In this event, the contractor shall provide the Government a written response as to why the performance threshold was not met (cause), how performance will be returned to meet contract requirements, and how recurrence of the cause will be prevented in the future.

7.2.2 The COR may require the contractor’s PM, or a designated alternate, to meet with the Government representative as deemed necessary to discuss performance evaluation. The COR will define the 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 Government representative in coordination with the COR as often as required or per the contractor’s request. The agenda of the reviews may include:

7.2.3 The COR and PCO must coordinate and communicate with the contractor to resolve issues and concerns regarding non-compliant contract performance.