1. Emulsion Task Force Meeting
Quality Assurance Essentials
Emulsion Task Force Meeting
By: Colin A. Franco, P.E.
Associate Chief Engineer
RIDOT
BOSTON Nov 29-30, 2017

2. Quality Assurance - Definition
AASHTO R10 & TRB Circular E-C173
Quality Assurance – All those planned and systematic actions necessary to provide confidence that a product or facility will perform satisfactorily in service …

3. Applicability of 23 CFR 637
Applies to projects on the NHS
State administered and locally administered
Including Design-Build - 23CFR (b)
“All provisions of (a) are applicable to Design-Build projects and other alternative contracting methods.”
Non-NHS projects
Many States apply same QA procedures as NHS

4. Core Elements of a Quality Assurance Program
QA Program
Agency Acceptance
Dispute Resolution
Independent Assurance
Contractor QC
Lab Qualification
Personnel Qualification

5. Core Elements of a QA Program
Quality Assurance
Quality
Control
Agency
Acceptance
Introduction and Key Points
We know QC is important, but what exactly is it?
Instruction
Review the definition of Quality Control: “The system used by a contractor to monitor, assess, and adjust processes to ensure that the final product meets the specified level of quality.”
Engagement
Before displaying the next slide, ask participants to state what activities might be included in a contractor‘s QC system in order to ensure quality. Write answers on a flipchart. Then compare those items to the activities shown in the definition. (Examples may include but are not limited to: control charts; preventative equipment maintenance; equipment calibration; proper materials handling and storage; employee training.)
Note how the system ensures quality during production or placement (monitoring, assessing, adjusting) and not only at the end of a project or work item.
Independent Assurance
Dispute Resolution
Laboratories
Personnel 5

6. Agency Acceptance
All acceptance activities must be carried out by the Agency or their “Designated Agent”
Agency independently performs:
Random (Verification) Testing ( Materials)
Inspection ( Workmanship)

7. Acceptance Program
Acceptance program. All factors that comprise the Agency determination of the quality of the product as specified in the contract requirements. These factors include:
verification sampling,
testing,
inspection

8. Acceptance Function
Acceptance is not focused on directing the methods used to achieve conformance
The primary objectives of agency acceptance are:
Measure the Quality of all materials produced and placed by the contractor
Determine the corresponding payment the contractor should receive

9. Acceptance Function
Quality measurement is achieved through three general acceptance activities:
Monitoring the adequacy of contractor QC activity
Performing acceptance inspection to identify visually deficient work
Performing Acceptance sampling and testing for key quality characteristics
Agency obtains information to confirm that all products meet the specified quality level

10. Independent Assurance - IA
Independent Assurance - “Activities that are an unbiased and independent evaluation of all the sampling and testing procedures used in the Quality Assurance Program”

11. Scope of IA Activities Independent Assurance activities:
Provide an assessment of personnel proficiency and equipment for both agency and contractor

12. Independent Assurance – IA (cont.)
Performed by Agency or Designated Agent personnel who are not directly responsible for project Acceptance sampling and testing
Provides periodic independent evaluation of QC and Acceptance personnel and their equipment
Not used to make a determination of work quality or acceptability

13. Contractor Quality Control
Quality Control - QC - “The system used by a Contractor party to monitor, assess and adjust their production or placement processes to ensure that the final product will meet the specified level of quality.”
Definition

14. Contractor Responsibility for Quality Control
QC is the responsibility of the Contractor
The party producing or placing the product is in the best position to exercise Quality Control

15. Scope of Quality Control Activities
Contractor’s QC system should address:
Materials production processes
Materials transportation and handling
Field placement procedures
Calibration and maintenance of equipment
Activities (sampling, testing and inspection) to maintain each process in control
Means to make timely adjustments and corrections

16. Contractor QC Operating Documents
Quality Control Plan - A project specific document prepared by the contractor which identifies QC personnel and procedures that will be used to maintain production and placement processes in control and meet the agency specification requirements.

17. Requirements for Laboratory Accreditation
Central Laboratories
Consultant Labs used for Independent Assurance (IA)
Consultant Labs used for Dispute Resolution

18. Qualified Laboratories
“Laboratories that are capable as defined by appropriate programs established by each Agency.”

19. Laboratory Qualification
Laboratory Qualification Program
All other Labs performing sampling and testing that are utilized in the Agency’s acceptance decision

20. Qualified Personnel Definition
Qualified Personnel - “Personnel who are capable as defined by appropriate programs established or recognized by each Agency.”
Definition

21. Certified Personnel Definition
Personnel who are recognized by a formal certifying body as qualified to perform specific procedures.

22. Requirement for Personnel Qualification / Certification
A complete personnel qualification/certification program should include, at minimum:
Formal training
On-the-job training
Specified re-qualification intervals
Proficiency demonstration
A written exam
A process for disqualification or decertification

23. Materials Testing Dispute Resolution
Dispute Resolution - The procedure used to resolve discrepancies between the Agency’s Acceptance and Contractor’s QC testing results that could impact payment.
Dispute Resolution system required when QC results used in Acceptance decision.

24. Responsibility for Dispute Resolution
Can be performed within the DOT
Use of accredited third party laboratory can be used.

27. Questions ?