A QUICK HISTORY Pt2

USACE circa 1977 until 2024 -- A QUICK HISTORY (no politics) (Most QA's don't know this)

After the 6 day war Israel and the USA decided to build a number of defensive air force bases across Israel. Designs were made and around 1977 construction began with the United States Corps of Engineers as both designer, prime contractor and oversight coordinators. Day laborers, machines and subcontractors were hired. Eventually USACE brought heavy equipment to Israel to complete specialized activities. (This equipment is still inuse today.) USACE quickly realized this was not the best production process as little work was achieved due to local work practices. (Working OCONUS had its drawbacks.)

After further consideration it was decided that USACE would over-see the work done by "the contractors" but retaining the work responsibility on the contractors, thus inventing the QA/QC layout. It was decided to contract prime contractors to be responsible for activities with USACE overseeing efforts and cost loading contracts with embedded QC team into the contractors institutions.

Further refinement led to "prime" + sub-contractors and the introduction of quality personnel within the prime contractors organization (per the contract requirements. (Get use to this phrase)). Even though you are a QCM hired by the contractor, you answer to your employer & USACE which could lead to your removal for "unsatisfactory" work as a QCM or QCI representative. Larger projects have QCI representatives for all major trades: electrical, mechanical and civil covered by QCM who is the administrator of the contracted quality effort. Some contracts are allowing QCI to be from the subcontractor so (if allowed) sub's are written into the prime contractors QCP.

In the 90's QCS/RMS 2.0 was invented to track submittals and other key contract requirements both in hard copy and electronically. First renditions were met with dismay due to programming constraints of the now infamous QCS program.

The current RMS 3 software is a live, internet based, integrated QA/QC real-time program with many, many modules to learn (some more useful than others).

THE QCM POSITION (and QC representatives)

As noted above, USACE would over-see the work done by "contractors" thus inventing the QA/QC layout.

The QCM role covers all facets of the quality program. Initial documentation (QCP, APP, DPP, EPP, TCP, submittal register, all submittals, mobilization, operations, construction etc. to de-mob, close-out plan & eventual approved close-out package).

QCM documents, verifies and sign's on all daily activities within RMS for all layers of QC activities:

1. 1. Submittals + verification documentation
2. Construction inspection & documentation + adding these in daily RMS-3 reports as they happen.
3. Close-out documentation (differs per contract, see package)

Understand one thing,

The QCM is the USACE eyes, ears & official contractor documentor (some call it secretary) of all work,  good and bad. The COR also dose this so the documents should reflect actual activities during construction. 

No one in the contractors organization chart has the mandated and documented requirement to stop improper work or poor work, act with the subcontractor to rework poor work & note this in the daily report. If USACE must act "your position is under threat" and review. The SSI should be involved but...

Please note; If you let poor workmanship go you could easily loose your position as QCM and give a poor performance report leading to a low overall rating, this would affect your continuing QCM activities for this or any other contractor.

Further poor ratings effect the C-PARS & prime contractors ability to receive new contracts so be advised good work is expected.

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Contractually required on-site positions (as of 2024)

1. The Quality Control Manager & QC Inspectors (see above)
Required at all weekly progress meetings. Records the required meeting minutes, issues & may make changes USACE requires, (but it is your document & you can decline change requests).

2. The site superintendent (SSI) is a separate, contract required position (see QC org-chart), this post in charge of progress, schedule, manpower etc, who answers to the corporate director. QCM works along side the SSI to find and eliminate issues before USACE sees them. 
Optional but usually at weekly progress meetings.

3. The site safety officer (SSHO) is a separate, contract required position (see QC org-chart), who answers to the corporate director and USACE. 
Optional but usually at weekly progress meetings.

QC Inspectors*: These positions cover major disciplines like electrical, mechanical, civil and other project specific positions as needed to ensure Quality coverage of specialty disciplines (like metal skin installation). At your companies discretion.

4. Project Directors & Upper Administration*: is a separate, off-site, non-contractual position and are not usually at the weekly progress meetings until things get "contractually interesting".

    * optional

Prime contractor: The company that holds the contract with the USACE/government for services of any type. Positions 1-4 above. On small contracts QCM may do all jobs above.

 Sub-contractor: This is any entity in-which the prime contractor has contract for services of any nature. This company has contract with/under the prime. Must provide all documentation on submittals. More later.