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Quality Assurance Guideline

Background
Procedures
Appendix A - Lessons Learned
Appendix B - Quality Assurance (QA) Checklists
 
Background

A core principle of the Denver Service Center (DSC) is the production of high quality construction documents for projects that conserve natural and cultural resources, enhance visitor experience and park operations, and demonstrate leadership in sustainable design. In order to accomplish this goal, appropriate quality standards must be developed, implemented, and enforced. This requires that a formal Quality Assurance Program be established.

The federal acquisition Regulation (FAR) states:

46.102 Policy

Agencies shall ensure that:

  1. Contracts include inspection and other quality requirements, including warranty clauses when appropriate, that are determined necessary to protect the Government's interes.
  2. Supplies or services tendered by contractors meet contract requirements.
  3. Government contract quality assurance is conducted before acceptance (except as otherwise provided in this part), by or under the direction of Government personnel.
 
Procedures

DSC Division of Design and Construction Quality Assurance is defined as “Ensuring that the delivered products meet the established programmatic, performance and technical requirements of the project, that design standards are adhered to, that the design conserves the natural and cultural resources and is appropriate for the location, and that the NPS design ethic is sustained.”

The DSC Quality Assurance Process will confirm that the project:

  • complies with NPS policies and guidelines,
  • complies with applicable laws and regulations
  • is within scope and budget
  • meets the programmatic requirements
  • is appropriate for the location
  • sustains the NPS design ethic
  • complies with health, safety, and functional requirements
  • construction documents are adequate to construct the intended facility

The Architect-Engineer is responsible for Quality Control which includes ensuring the technical accuracy, completeness, and correctness of the design, cost estimate and all engineering aspects and details, including coordination of all disciplines with each other and with the specifications.

This is consistent with the FAR, which states:

52.236-23 Responsibility of the Architect-Engineer Contractor.

As prescribed in 36.609-2(b), insert the following clause:

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ARCHITECT-ENGINEER CONTRACTOR (APR 1984)

  1. The Contractor shall be responsible for the professional quality, technical accuracy, and the coordination of all designs, drawings, specifications, and other services furnished by the Contractor under this contract. The Contractor shall, without additional compensation, correct or revise any errors or deficiencies in its designs, drawings, specifications, and other services.
  2. Neither the Government's review, approval or acceptance of, nor payment for, the services required under this contract shall be construed to operate as a waiver of any rights under this contract or of any cause of action arising out of the performance of this contract, and the Contractor shall be and remain liable to the Government in accordance with applicable law for all damages to the Government caused by the Contractor's negligent performance of any of the services furnished under this contract.

The A/E shall accomplish a Quality Control Review and shall make corrections prior to each submittal to the DSC.

The Project Manager or Project Specialist shall be responsible for initiating each Quality Assurance Review with the DSC Technical Branch Quality Assurance Coordinator (QARC).

The Quality Assurance reviewers shall use the Quality Assurance Review Checklists as a guide in performing their reviews. The checklists are designed to be comprehensive, but do not necessarily include all items that may be reviewed on a particular project. Not all items shown on the checklists are applicable to every project. In addition, not all of the Quality Assurance reviewers will be required on every project.

The Branch Chief, Technical Branch shall be required to sign off on the Advance Procurement Plan that all review comments have been satisfactorily resolved before the project can be submitted to the Division of Contracts.

 
Appendix A - Lessons Learned

The following is a partial list of items which can lead to disputes and costly construction contract modifications.

  1. Improper cross-referencing on drawings.
  2. Failure to coordinate documents prior to submittal.
  3. Failure to comply with Directors Order 10A and 10B.
  4. References to “owner” instead of “Government”
  5. References to “Architect” or “Engineer” instead of “Contracting Officer”
  6. Failure to specify products in accordance with the Buy American Act.
  7. Failure to coordinate Division 1 specifications with the park
  8. Use of “Federal Specification Numbers,” these are obsolete.
  9. Use of pure hydraulic lime mortar for structural applications, such as concrete block walls—it does not have adequate strength.
  10. Applying paint to weathered wood without a wood stabilizer—it does not adhere.
  11. Applying exterior Alkyd paint primers and top coats—they promote the growth of mildew.
  12. Prevent confined space hazards and situations. It is imperative to identify any space that by design or construction has limited openings for entry and exit; unfavorable ventilation that could concentrate dangerous air contaminants; and any space that is not intended for human habitation. These potential space hazards should be eliminated or mitigated.
 
Appendix B - Quality Assurance (QA) Review Checklists