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Description of MANDEX, Inc.’s – Quality Management Plan: |
1.1 Quality Management Plan: MANDEX, Inc. has a proven, proactive approach
to ensuring quality and accordingly maintains the highest standards of
workmanship. Quality is part of our culture and is integral to MANDEX’ overall
business plan. Our commitment sets the tone for the performance and ethical
conduct of our employees.
As such, our
company quality policy is “Quality People Providing Quality Service, meeting or
exceeding customer requirements through continuous improvement of our Quality
Management System.” MANDEX not only believes in providing our
customers with the highest quality products and services, produced in a
creative and open environment built on quality people, technical excellence,
and effective management through ethical practices. Our Motto is “Demand
Excellence”. We have developed our Corporate Trade Mark based on this
Motto and it is printed on every Employee’s business card. Satisfied customers know this is more than
just a slogan. At MANDEX, it is the way we live.
MANDEX has developed and implemented
a Quality Management System (QMS) closely aligned with the ISO 9001:2000
Standard. It provides the organization,
processes, and standards to ensure performance that meets or exceeds contract
requirements. This QMS is evidence of the MANDEX pledge to ensure that work
performed meets the highest standards, conforms to all applicable
specifications, and surpasses customer expectations. Our proven QMS has been
approved by NAVSEA. Figure
1-1 below depicts figuratively the MANDEX Team’s depth of
certifications and approval letters. MANDEX’
Quality Management processes and instructions are proven daily on numerous
successful tasks around the world.
Figure 1-1. Depth of MANDEX’ Team’s Qualifications
Their
quality plans and procedures are approved, instituted and independently
audited.
2.1 Documents and Procedures:
MANDEX’ ISO documents and procedures are divided into four levels:
¨ Quality Manual
(Level 1) – Statement of MANDEX’
Quality Policy, written by upper management (defines approach and
responsibility).
¨ Quality Procedures (Level 2) – Defines activities at the departmental level, written by
department supervisors and middle management (defines who, what, and when).
¨ Work Instructions (Level 3) – Describes how jobs are accomplished and are usually
written by the operators, planners or line supervisors (answers how).
¨ Quality Records (Level 4) – Supports quality system by retention of all supporting
documents and objective quality evidence (proves how tasks are accomplished and
tests and certifications are acceptable).
Figure 2-2. MANDEX’ Quality Management System Document
Structure
MANDEX’ QMS Document
Structure is divided into four distinct levels for use and understanding.
Because these plans, procedures, and well-defined policies
are readily accessible and constantly maintained and updated, MANDEX can easily
satisfy customer quality expectations. We developed our QMS to be in complete
alignment with our continuous improvement and customer satisfaction philosophy,
our management system, and the ISO 9001:2000 standard. The QMS implements
the corporate quality policy, establishing procedures by which we meet or
exceed customer expectations.
Performing work at this
level requires our management team to emphasize assignment of functional
experts experienced in overseeing each element of the task and ensures methods and technology are
continuously assessed for accuracy, efficiency, and effectiveness. MANDEX’
processes and instructions are proven repeatedly on tasks matching the VETS
GWAC Statement of Work.
MANDEX’ employees and subcontractors have access to QMS
documents via our internal website. Links to common procedures, work instructions,
forms, and other information sources are included. These documents provide each MANDEX team
member with the most complete and up-to-date processes, instructions, forms,
and standards. Our environment of shared knowledge is designed to include
MANDEX personnel, subcontractors, and customers who encourage dynamic teamwork
that successfully produces results with a high degree of quality and best
value.
2.2 QA
Documentation: Established quality policies, practices, and
documents are used throughout task development, planning, and execution.
MANDEX’ quality approach is comprised of seven major elements:
¨ Performance Management (including production schedule)
¨ Personnel Management
¨ Subcontractor Management
¨ Financial Information System
¨ Reports and Deliverables
¨ Customer review and feedback
¨
Process analysis and
improvement
MANDEX’ clearly defined
quality plans benefit customers by tailoring our approach to meet expectations
and effectively respond to all requirements. Coupled with a well-defined plan
for initiating task orders and solid management controls and tracking, our
quality planning identifies potential problems early on, which ensures program
requirements and customer expectations are fully achieved. This is particularly
significant in supporting programs, which must fulfill the expectations of a
diverse group of MANDEX customers.
The major component of
Performance Management with our quality plan is the development of detailed
Work Packages. Every Work Package is developed to meet the requirements of the
task order Statement of Work, applicable Standard Items, Process Control
Procedures (PCP), Technical Specifications, and internal Quality Procedures.
The Work Package integrates all requirements in a logical sequence to guide the
workforce. The document then becomes the work procedure at the job site and
captures all technical and Objective Quality Evidence (OQE) of performance. It
is also the blueprint for the success of any project and is a cornerstone of
MANDEX’ ISO 9001:2000 QMS.
2.3 QA Deficiency Correction: Non-Destructive
Testing (NDT) personnel, Quality Control Inspectors (QCI), Team Leaders, and
all members of the MANDEX work force inclusive of our subcontractors are
required within our QMS to report and document non-conforming products or processes
that do not meet specifications. Our QMS uses a systematic Corrective Action
Report (CAR) process that empowers every employee to identify,
report, investigate, and evaluate the need for corrective actions. When
necessary, employees are authorized to take actions to correct the findings so
as to reduce or permanently eliminate the root causes. This is key to the continual improvement of the quality of our
products and services. If a technical or safety question arises, the MANDEX
management team immediately addresses the issue. Each event is reported,
documented, and corrected using the ISO 9001:2000 CAR process. A manager is
assigned to investigate the root cause and recommend corrective actions to
prevent recurrence. Upper management reviews completed reports. All data is
retained for trend analysis. Lessons learned are documented, published on the
internal website, and incorporated into future planning and performance of
similar tasks.
A parallel Preventive
Action Report (PAR) process is used as an integral element of MANDEX’
continuous improvement goals. A PAR can originate as a suggestion for
improvement such as shared practices learned on the job, or recommended as an
improvement to existing processes. QA and supervisory personnel perform internal
audits and spot checks of quality and procedural compliance to “self-monitor”
work in progress resulting in preventive actions taken to avert developing
negative trends. These opportunities for improvement keep MANDEX processes
fresh and responsive. Our PAR process exceeds the requirements of the ISO
standard and provides auditable records of conformance for internal reviews and
trend analysis in addition to meeting external audit requirements.
As a dynamic management
system, the MANDEX QMS ensures product quality and conformance to
specifications. The QMS will be certified to the ISO 9001:2000 standard and
audited semi-annually by the American Bureau of Shipbuilding, a certified
third-party ISO auditing firm. MANDEX’ quality control and quality assurance measures
reflect a “proactive” rather than a “reactive” approach. Our ability to
maintain long-term quality performance is ensured by our continuing investment
in the selection of talented personnel, our commitment to the development and
enhancement of their skills through training, and our internal self-auditing
process. We maintain awareness of requirements and processes through ongoing
internal “refresher” training and “cross-training” conducted at our facilities
at no expense to the government. Quality products are our cornerstones, quality
processes are our tools for consistent performance, and quality people provide
the foundation.
2.4 Integration of Subcontractors
for Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC): The MANDEX
QSM will be used by all Team Members and will be fully integrated with the
Subcontractors’ QSM for use on this program. We have examined our
subcontractors’ quality assurance and quality control plans, policies and
procedures to ensure they are consistent with and integrated into the MANDEX’
overall Quality Management System and Quality System Manual (QSM). Our subcontractors’ plans, policies and
procedures closely comply with the internal audit procedures contained in
MANDEX QSM Section 8.2.2, Internal Audit Procedures.
Each subcontractor has dedicated
quality assurance and quality control personnel who ensure strict compliance
with all MANDEX’ quality assurance and quality control procedures. Each subcontractor QA/QC representative reports
directly to the single MANDEX Quality Manager.
2.5
Relevance of Quality Management to
QASP: The MANDEX Team has demonstrated on numerous government
contracts in the past and currently that they have the experience and
determination to be a total “Government and Contractor Team Player” through
participation in progress, performance and surveillance systems and have agreed
to the integrated team approach as presented in the government’ performance
requirements. Our Team surveillance and
performance requirements have been modified to reflect continuity with and
draws directly from government’ performance requirements as presented in the VETS
GWAC Contract.