Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan--KM 11-3

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

FOR
Navy Public Affairs/Visual Information, Knowledge Management & Multimedia Services Commander Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet

1. INTRODUCTION

This Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) is a Government developed and applied document used to monitor and evaluate contractor performance in connection with the Commander Naval Surface Forces (CNSP) subject matter expert contract support. The QASP establishes the methodology for measuring key performance in the stated performance work areas and establishes the standard of performance for each.

1.1 Purpose

1.1.1 The purpose of the QASP is to describe the systematic methods used to monitor performance and to identify the required documentation and the resources to be employed. The QASP provides a means for evaluating whether the contractor is meeting the performance standards identified in the QASP to ensure that the Government receives the required level of services in accordance with the Performance Work Statement.

1.1.2 This QASP defines the roles and responsibilities of all the members associated with the QASP, 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.

1.2 Performance Management Approach

1.2.1 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 COR to monitor and manage the contractor's performance to ensure the expected outcomes or performance objectives communicated in the QASP are achieved. Performance management rests on developing a capability to review and analyze information generated through performance assessments. The ability to make decisions based on the analysis of performance data is the cornerstone of performance management; this analysis yields information that indicates whether expected outcomes for the contract are being achieved by the contractor.

1.2.2 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, as long as 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 flexibility to continuously improve and innovate over the course of the contract as long as the critical outcomes expected are being achieved and/or the desired performance levels are being met.