Mission and Functions of the Office of Quality Assurnace Policy and Assistance (HS-23)

(Reports to the Office of Nuclear Safety, Quality Assurance and Environment)

Mission

The Office of Quality Assurance Policy and Assistance establishes and maintains the quality assurance (QA) policies, requirements and guidance for the Department and serves as DOE's corporate resource to ensure that products and services meet or exceed the Department's quality objectives. The Office provides assistance to Departmental elements and contractors in the interpretation and implementation of DOE quality assurance requirements and in the resolution of QA-related issues.

Functions

• Serves as the office of primary interest for quality assurance policies, guidance and other QA directives. Develops and revises quality assurance directives and standards.
• Provides authoritative interpretations of the Department's quality assurance policies, regulations and requirements. Serves as the DOE corporate resource for QA assistance and advice.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of the implementation of quality assurance policies and requirements in accomplishing the Department's quality objectives and recommends adjustments and improvements resulting from feedback from surveys, line management assessments, and independent oversight reviews.
• Works closely with the Office of Departmental Representative to interface with the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) on implementing quality assurance policies and requirements. Assists the Office of Departmental Representative in responding to the DNFSB on implementing quality assurance policies and requirements.
• Interfaces with the Office of Corporate Safety Programs with regard to the corporate quality assurance functions and/or certifications programs such as the DOE Laboratory Accreditation Program (DOELAP), Analytical Services Program (ASP), Suspect Counterfeit Items Program, and Corrective Action Management Program (CAMP) for improvements affecting the interpretation and implementation of QA requirements.
• Interfaces with the Office of Analysis regarding QA-related information in the Operating Experience Program. Trends QA events and issues contained in the Operating Experience areas across the DOE Complex.
• Coordinates with the Office of Analysis to develop strategies for evaluating the effectiveness of actions to resolve crosscutting QA issues.
• Interfaces with the Office of Independent Oversight and the Office of Enforcement regarding QA related assessments and enforcement actions.
• Interfaces with the Office of Nuclear Safety Policy and Assistance on nuclear safety QA issues related to implementation of 10 CFR 830 and related DOE directives.
• Manages the DOE Safety Software Central Registry and DOE Safety Software QA policy and program. Provides assistance to Headquarter and Field Elements in Safety Software QA assessments. Interfaces with other regulatory bodies and standard setting organizations. Responsible for updating applicable DOE Standard.
• Manages and provides technical guidance for DOE's HEPA Filter Testing Program . Reviews, trends and publishes semi-annual report for the filter testing program. Interfaces with national standard setting bodies such as American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) on HEPA filter related matters. Serves as the technical point of contact for related DOE standards.
• Consults with DOE HQ management in implementing Departmental quality assurance policies, guides, standards and other directives, and provides DOE and contractor line management with assistance in developing implementing and resolving quality program issues.
• Coordinates the reporting of management assessment results on the effectiveness of quality assurance implementation to the Deputy Secretary.
• Tracks crosscutting QA issues for the Department, and proposes solutions.
• Assists the National Training Center in the developing and delivering training on quality and software quality assurance requirements, standards and implementation.
• Interfaces with the Office of Resource Management in developing and implementing the HSS Integrated Work Management System (IWMS), supporting HSS procedures and the HSS QA Implementation Plan.
• Provides technical support to the Department's program offices and field elements in understanding how to implement internal and external QA requirements.
• Serves as chair for the DOE Federal Quality Council whose role is to promote communication, consistency, and collaboration across the DOE-complex to improve the Department's QA posture.
• Develops and maintains Department-wide quality assurance information exchange and communication mechanisms, including the DOE Quality Council, the QA Web Site and the QA newsletter.
• Provides assistance to the DOE Program Offices and Field Offices through participating in assessments and other line management activities when requested.
• Interfaces with external organizations and standards bodies such as the Energy Facility Contractors Organization (EFCOG), the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the American Society for Quality (ASQ).
• Maintains a cadre of technical experts and provides assistance to Headquarters and field organizations in the effective and efficient implementation of the Department's quality assurance requirements including quality in design and construction. Interfaces with external organizations and standard development bodies involved in design and construction such as American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), American Institute for Steel Construction (AISC) and ASME.
• Identifies Department-wide quality assurance assistance needs and opportunities. Leads communication and information exchange networks to identify site-specific as well as systemic assistance needs, prioritizes assistance activities, and resolves issues through direct interface with customers and stakeholders.
• Provides leadership and partners with other HSS offices in developing integrated strategies for evaluating cross-cutting quality assurance issues with line management to determine the extent of issues, their causes, and actions needed to prevent recurrence.
• Provides assistance to headquarters and field organizations in understanding how to implement Departmental quality assurance requirements and related external requirements.

For additional information regarding this page or feedback on its content, please contact:

Colette Broussard
Director, Office of Quality Assurance Policy and Assistance