The client works closely with the QA team to carry out a contract’s QA activities. The QA team is often made up of members of the purchase/SCM team and reports to the both the client and the contracting officer.
Each project should have some form of QAP. The complexity and formality of the plan should be scaled according to the size and potential risk of the project. The QA team drafts the QAP and submits it to the client for review and approval.
The QAP addresses both key project processes and project deliverables. The QAP establishes clear and specific criteria for defining quality at each key checkpoint and for each deliverable. The QAP should include a surveillance schedule and clearly stated surveillance method(s). Surveillance can range from a one-time inspection of a product or service to periodic in-process inspections of ongoing product or service delivery. It also clearly states review method(s), the chain of reports, and plans for corrective actions.
Basic quality requirements are addressed in Clause 4-1: General Terms and Conditions. However, Clause 2-2: Quality Management System should be included in supply or service contracts when the supplies or services being purchased are extensive, complex, or unique and the Postal Service requires that the supplier maintain a quality management system. Clause 2-1: Inspection and Acceptance may be included in contracts for supplies or services; however, Clause 2-1: Inspection and Acceptance and Clause 2-2: Quality Management System should not be included in the same contract. Clause 2-23: Reimbursement — Postal Service Testing must be included when Clause 2-1: Inspection and Acceptance or Clause 2-2: Quality Management System are included in the contract.
