Systems Integration & Management, Inc.

Seaport Enhance Contract Info

Quality Assurance

Systems Integration and Management (SIM) Incorporated has built a history of delivering quality products on time and within budget. Delivering this same exceptional quality is one of the principal objectives of SIM in supporting its SEAPORT clients. The need for technical quality is communicated throughout the company and to each subcontractor via the quality assurance (QA) program. Our program management team and the QA Program will ensure that our subcontractors deliver the same level of quality as our own employees.

The key to every successful project is to establish and maintain clear and robust lines of communication between the customer, our subcontractors, and us. Communication between our clients, management, company personnel, and subcontractors on a daily and weekly basis, both formally and informally, will be implemented beginning on day one of task assignment. This will ensure our customers have the information they need to keep informed on all aspects of the task accomplishment throughout the life of the project. This process starts with the development of a comprehensive plan of actions and project schedule that is communicated to the customer during initial planning meetings. This action plan is a living document that is modified as needed during the life of the project and continually communicated to the customer during follow-up meetings throughout the entire period of performance. This ensures issues are handled expeditiously, provides opportunities to receive customer feedback, guarantees responsiveness to customer needs, and ensures adherence to schedule. Constant communication between our lead personnel and subcontractors serves to identify and resolve issues, from the routine to the complex, before they impact cost and schedule. SIM is committed to the proactive identification and resolution of potential issues at the lowest level possible, as early as practicable, thereby allowing those closest to the problem to address issues and immediately implement solutions. Via the QA processes and consistent communication SIM generates well thought out and practical options to use for the efficient and economic resolution of issues. SIM will address issues immediately with additional labor or material, detailed analysis, improved procedures, better management practices, or other action as needed to ensure adherence to the schedule and provide the most economical and affordable service to the government.

The SIM Quality Manual (QM) is the authoritative directive for implementing the SIM quality management program. The QM will be used for guidance and reference purposes to ensure product conformance to contract requirements and customer satisfaction with the product. The quality of products and services is, and will continue to be, the key to competitiveness in the future. All SIM employees are indoctrinated to understand and commit to the principals of continual improvement, and to using ISO and our QM as the tool to ensuring that we provide the highest quality industry standard products and services to our customers.

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The SIM QM is the baseline quality assurance standard by which we manage each contract and work site within our organization. The standard is updated as needed to reflect the statement of work and work products for each specific contract. In the case of SEAPORT services efforts, the QM will be updated as required to reflect the specific requirements of each task order assigned to SIM. This update will include a review and documentation of the business processes associated with performance to the requirements of the contract; input and correlation with the standard operating procedures; and inclusion of the specific quality procedures developed to address the documented business processes for the task order.

The Quality Procedures (QP’S) and Quality Forms (QF’S), contained in subset manuals to the QM, will be used for providing additional processes and guidance. Installation Process Control Procedures (IPCPs), Master Test Plans (MTPs) and Test Plans (TP’s) are used to guide Alteration Installation Team (AIT) work. SIM AITs perform U.S. Navy shipboard equipment and system installations in accordance with Naval Sea Systems Center (NAVSEA) 9090-310D guidance and other applicable Military Specifications (MILSPECS). QPs and QFs, developed in support of the tailored QM, will be added to the appropriate manual and be subject to the same document control provisions. Our QM also provides that each quality procedure drives the requirement for quality reporting forms such as corrective action or procedural change forms. These reports are developed as an essential component of our overall QA plan.

The SIM QM, while a standard, is a living document that is tailored at each SIM operational work site to address specific business processes. Tailoring and use at each SIM site assures that QA is built into every task; that performance-based measurements are in place; and that monitoring and reporting are ongoing. SIM approaches to quality assurance are iterative and ongoing. Each task is continually monitored. Changes to quality-controlled processes, when required, are documented at the project level and forwarded to the corporate level for review, documentation and formal issuance.

The Executive Vice President of SIM is responsible for implementing and maintaining a documented quality management system. Emphasis is focused on customer satisfaction, continual improvement of the quality management system and product realization. Continual improvement produces improved products and services, and thereby provides the company with satisfied customers. Implementation of, and adherence to, the processes prescribed in the QM is key to producing the highest quality products and services.

The SIM Quality System Management Representative (QSMR) reports directly to the Executive Vice President, and has the responsibility to control the Quality Management System documents and related data. The QSMR will ensure the control of all documents and data generated in response to implementing and managing the QM and related proposal, contract, or order requirements. The QSMR is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the currency of QM documents placed under document control and forwarding applicable documents and data to each SIM site for retention and local control.

In performance of this contract the program manager has the overall responsibility for the quality of products. Our program manager will have immediate responsibility for quality reporting documentation and storage. The program manager is additionally responsible for the implementation of corrective actions necessary in resolution of any unsatisfactory reporting. The SIM QM provides the necessary framework and management responsibility to enable the program manager to effectively manage his quality program and ensure quality is incorporated in all the products and services SIM provides. Additionally, SIM managers will routinely meet with the customer to ensure expectations are understood, acceptable schedules are set, and feedback is continually ongoing. The responsibilities of the various personnel involved in task accomplishment and quality assurance are summarized by the following:

Executive Vice President
• Define and tailor the QM
• Ensure the communication and understanding of the QM throughout the applicable functional organizations
• Commit resources for the implementation, execution, and evaluation of the QM
• Where applicable, forward QM system improvement recommendations Corrective Action Reports and Preventive Maintenance Action Reports to the QSMR.

Quality System Management Representative (QSMR)
• Document and maintain the QM
• Ensure that the QM is established, implemented, and maintained
• Chair regular reviews of the suitability and effectiveness of the QM
• Coordinate improvements to the QM
• Provide liaison with external parties on matters relating to the QM.

Vice Presidents and Division Directors
• Implement the QM at their respective site
• Obtain and communicate customer requirements to the appropriate personnel or functional organization
• Ensure that qualified, skilled, and trained personnel, and other resources are available to perform work assignments
• Ensure that products and services satisfy customer requirements including quality, safety, cost, schedule, performance, reliability, durability, accuracy, and maintainability
• Ensure that personnel comply the applicable standards, regulations, specifications, and documented procedures

Program Manager
• Coordinate, monitor, and evaluate task order execution
• monitor and evaluate work in process verifying compliance and approving deliverables, day-to-day changes, and invoices
• monitor and obtain internal and external resources required to accomplish tasks
• Review deliverables for quality and consistency before submission

QA Manager
• Review deliverables for quality and consistency before submission

SIM Contracts Manager
• Coordinate contract requirements with the Government
• Provide notice of significant and relevant contracting issues and requirements including funding actions, contract modifications, and status of physical progress in relation to costs incurred

SIM Finance
• Ensure that adequate financial controls and surveillance of contract efforts are in place

SIM Accounting
• Perform final review and approval of invoices, payments, and audits

SIM Security Officer
• Manage security requirements,
• Issue and maintain current DD254s.

Employees
• Ensure the quality of work
• Operate in conformance with the requirements of the QM
• Stop work in progress or make appropriate notifications when unsafe conditions exist or requirements are not being met.

Subcontractor (As may be contractually invoked)
• Ensure the quality of products and services
• Operate in conformance with the requirements of the QM
• Stop work in progress or make appropriate notifications when unsafe conditions exist or requirements are not being met.

The steps necessary to implement, maintain, and successfully manage a quality management system are outlined in the QM. The key processes for SIM are Business Acquisition; Product Realization; and Measurement, Analysis and Improvements. The QM outlines how these processes interact for each applicable procedure. The sequence and interaction of the Key quality management system processes (Business Acquisition, Product Realization and Measurement, Analysis and Improvements) are identified as follows:

Business Acquisition is the process by which we will identify and obtain contracts with our federal and commercial customers and determine the training and material resource requirements. The Contract Review Procedures are followed in obtaining contracts. Training Procedures provide the methods for identifying training needs, actually providing the training and maintaining training records. The Management Review procedure will assess the effectiveness of SIM in achieving our quality goals and determine the suitability of our processes for meeting future requirements.

The Product Realization process begins with the selection of the Program Manager (PM). The PM Procedure outlines to the PM the tasks required to meet customer needs, ensure delivery of a quality product and provide the documentation and record keeping supporting the Quality Management System. The PM Procedure along with Quality Procedures for Purchasing; Receiving Inspection; Control of Customer Supplied Products; Handling, Storage, Packing, Preservation and Delivery; Document and Data Control; and Control of Quality Records all interact to achieve Product Realization.

The SIM Measurement, Analysis and Improvements process ensures conformity of our product and will continually improve the effectiveness of the overall Quality Management System. The Quality Procedures for Corrective & Preventive Action; Control of Non-Conforming Product; Internal Quality Audits; and Supplier Survey will enable SIM to continually improve our products and services as well as the QM.