Quality Assurance Summary
Five Stones Research Corporation (5SRC) employs Quality Management Plans designed to ensure the highest level of quality while allowing us to manage the different degrees of Quality Assurance (QA) required.
Our Quality Assurance (QA) Plan is specific to the SeaPort-e contract and describes the standards, processes, and procedures used to support the consistent delivery of high-quality, professional products. We adhere to all performance metrics provided in awarded task orders and any associated Quality Assurance Surveillance Plans (QASPs). We use our established methods of identifying deficiencies in the quality of services performed before the level of performance becomes an issue. We fully support the Government QA program including inspections, self-inspections, peer reviews, and performance evaluations at the discretion of the Government.
Our QA Program ensures contract and task order performance meets or exceeds the requirements of all performance standards by applying disciplined, repeatable measurement of our performance to contract metrics with continuous process improvement. This provides the highest quality of service throughout the contract life. Our QA Program is based on ISO 9001:2008 processes and includes continual quality improvement through increasing efficiency, reduction of costs, and customer satisfaction.
Our QA Program accomplishes the following objectives ensuring quality and regulatory requirements are integrated into work products:
- Quality principles doctrine and education
- QA policies and procedures implementation
- Performance monitoring
- Status reporting
Our QA Plans are developed and tailored for each supported effort, however, all our QA Plans are based on core activities including:
- Requirements Validation
- Personnel Training and Awareness
- Performance-based Assessments
- Continuous Risk Assessments
- Corrective / Preventive Action Plans
- Deliverable Reviews
- Customer Feedback Assessment
- Continuing Process Improvement
QA begins with careful review of the contract, task orders, and customer requirements. We identify applicable regulatory and guidance requirements and include verification of compliance during program and project reviews. We develop responsive training plans, value-adding guidance documentation that references and supports higher flow-down documents, and work processes to ensure we meet all requirements.
We use a proactive review processes for all task and customer orders, providing early detection of problems / risks, and supporting continuous improvement. During work performance, personnel identify emerging problems without fear of retribution allowing for problem identification and documentation. We conduct periodic statistical analyses establishing trends to identify problem areas. During work execution, we build specific procedures, work instructions, traceability requirements inspection criteria, and other quality activities into the work processes.
We perform all work in accordance with approved work instructions and operating procedures and verify this by individual manager and independent quality verification, when required. We address all changes to contract and task order or customer order-related documentation and assimilate and document proper notification and training associated with the change.
Our QA Program is designed to provide the framework to ensure the highest quality services in meeting cost, schedule, and performance requirements. Our QA Program is continuously reviewed and updated, as required to minimize contract / performance risk. QA is the responsibility of all contract / task order personnel regardless of company affiliation.