Quality

USA’s Quality Control (QC)/Quality Management (QM) Program

USA’s Quality Management Program (QMP) is a formal program that is designed to ensure that USA provides the management staff and field employees with policies and procedures for performing and delivering quality products to our clients. The goal of the Quality Management Program is to safely deliver quality services to our customers on schedule and within budget. Our QMP is based on a commitment to quality and is structured to project this commitment from the highest corporate levels to the individual worker in the field. The success and effectiveness of our QMP is due to our understanding of safety requirements, our integrated approach to quality planning and design, an effective quality training program, and enforcement and monitoring practices. USA’s QMP is a dynamic program that is updated to keep pace with the technological advances and changes taking place in the Munitions Response Process.

Comprehensive Understanding of Quality Management Procedures

USA adheres to the USACE, NAVFAC and other government agencies quality standards and has accordingly developed a corporate quality assurance program. When required, USA prepares a site-specific work plan and quality control plan. Listed below are some of the key Quality Standards and documents USA incorporates into its quality programs and plans.

USA’s Quality Control (QC)/Quality Management (QM) Program
USA’s Quality Management Program (QMP) is a formal program that is designed to ensure that USA provides the management staff and field employees with policies and procedures for performing and delivering quality products to our clients. The goal of the Quality Management Program is to safely deliver quality services to our customers on schedule and within budget. Our QMP is based on a commitment to quality and is structured to project this commitment from the highest corporate levels to the individual worker in the field. The success and effectiveness of our QMP is due to our understanding of safety requirements, our integrated approach to quality planning and design, an effective quality training program, and enforcement and monitoring practices. USA’s QMP is a dynamic program that is updated to keep pace with the technological advances and changes taking place in the Munitions Response Process.

Commitment

USA’s commitment to quality begins with the President of USA and continues to all individual employees in the field. USA’s President and Senior Management are active participants in USA’s QMP and made aware of all quality concerns in a timely manner. USA has an Open-Door policy for personnel to voice quality concerns. Managers and Supervisors at all levels actively participate in monitoring the quality during execution of work, and for enforcing work practices prescribed in the project Work Plan (WP). USA requires that all employees take pride in the work they perform and stand behind the quality of their work.

Planning and Design

USA’s quality planning has begun well in advance of receipt of orders for services. USA has developed a comprehensive Corporate Quality Management Plan that forms the foundation for all Site-Specific Quality Control Plans (QCP). USA Corporate Quality Management Plans are developed using the experience and knowledge that USA has acquired in performing like services to USAESCH and other clients including the U.S. Navy, over the past nine+ years. This approach has resulted in a Quality Management Plan and process that is focused on the quality measures and requirements associated with MEC projects.

USA ensures that Quality is designed into each MEC project by having our Corporate Quality Control Manager (CQCM) and UXO Quality Control Specialist (UXOQCS) personnel actively participate in development of the Work Plan (WP). During WP development, these personnel work with the Project Manager (PM) and Senior UXO Supervisor (SUXOS) to evaluate the means and methods that USA will use to perform the field work, site conditions, and limitations. Using this information they perform a formal Quality Analysis for each work task/activity and develop specific Data Quality Objectives (DQO), and inspection requirements for each work task/activity. Using the data from this analysis and review, USA then prepares the Quality Control Plan for the project that documents these standards and inspection requirements, and prescribes the inspection methods and frequency of inspections.

Training

USA uses only personnel that are trained and qualified to perform their assigned work, and meet or exceed USACE qualification standards, and its associated sub-paragraphs. For personnel assigned to Quality Positions (e.g. UXOQCS), USA conducts formal Quality Management Training at its Corporate HQ. In addition to these requirements, USA performs site-specific training for individuals assigned to each project. This training includes: a review of authorized work practices and procedures, quality standards, and their responsibilities in quality process.

Quality Awareness

To reinforce Quality Awareness, USA conducts a daily safety briefing at each project site. During these meetings USA identifies specific quality considerations for that day’s operations and quality issues and concerns arising from QC Inspections. At each work area, USA’s supervisors conduct tail-gate briefings that address the specific work that the team will perform, and the quality standards and procedures for this work.