CONSTRUCTION QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA) and QUALITY CONTROL (QC):

Instituting strict compliance to undertake Trial Section in all road construction and rehabilitation schemes under MRDP2

Q & A

Questions and Answers on

Department of Agriculture

MINDANAO RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 2

Information Bulletin No. 12/October 2012

About MRDP
The Mindanao Rural Development Program Adaptable Program Loan Phase 2 (MRDP2) continues to implement povertyreducing interventions in more poor communities across Mindanao as it expands in scope of coverage (225 towns in 26 provinces). Implemented under the Department of Agriculture, MRDP1 accomplished various projects and provided significant learning experiences on which MRDP2 takes off. MRDP2 seeks to further improve rural incomes and achieve security through agri-fisheries infrstructure, livelihood enterprise, and biodiversity conservation projects. Partnership with LGUs and other national agencies are also forged for laudible impact in Mindanao rural communities. Alongside poverty-reducing initiatives, the Program likewise reinforces the implementation of the Local Government Code and the Agricultural and Fisheries Mondernization Act. Working interdependently to bring development in the country-side are four MRDP components: Rural Infrastructure, Community Fund Agricultural Development, Natural Resources Management and Investment for Governance Reforms and Program Administration.

1. What is Quality Assurance

Quality Assurance (QA) is a function of the owner and/or implementing unit to verify that the work is done in accordance with the specifications. It includes all those planned and systematic actions necessary to provide confidence that the product or service will satisfy given requirements for quality. QA usually requires continuing evaluation of factors that affect the design or specification for intended application as well as verification of installation and inspection operations.

2. What is Quality Control

Quality Control (QC) is checking for conformance materials specifications and methods of construction or workmanship. Control on the correct plan interpretation, proper engineering construction methodology, and strict compliance of the standard specifications. Includes all procedures, which are necessary to insure that the materials used, and workmanship employed conform to the standard of quality specified. Instituted during the course of construction as a preventive tool, not as a corrective measure. Preventive measures are always more economical. A technique that ensures to fulfill the requirements for quality in any operational procedures. A process that is done to eliminate causes of unsatisfactory performance of the works. To summarize: Quality - Degree of excellence Control - To check and regulate Assurance - Degree of certainty

3. How can QA and QC be carried out

To ensure QA and QC in the project, provisions stipulated in the Contract must be carried out. The project must conform to the requirements specified in the following documents, which form part of the Contract: 1. Conditions of Contract; 2. Special Conditions of Contract; 3. Specifications; 4. Performance Security; 5. Plans and Drawings; 6. Construction Monitoring and Reporting Templates; 7. Comprehensive All-Risk Insurance; 8. Construction Safety, Health and Environmental Management Program; 9. Materials Quality Control Program; and 10. Constructors Performance Evaluation System (CPES).

4. What are the common issues encountered by LGU contractors

After contract award and upon resource mobilization, the pledged key technical personnel (SCC Clause 6.5) are nowhere to be found. In most cases these are replaced with unauthorized, sometimes unqualified personnel. Equipment mobilized are not the equipment pledged and most of the times Contractor fails to meet minimum requirement. Does not undertake as-stake survey resulting in quantity and eventually funding issues due to unforeseen variations. Materials tested for quality are not representative samples extracted from actual quarry sites.

5. What are some common issues encountered by LGU Construction Supervision team

Lacks necessary qualification and experience in construction supervision Poor supervisory and documentation skills therefore cannot enforce authority to undertake QA\QC procedures Multi-tasked with off-project responsibilities due to LGUs lack of technical personnel therefore daily presence at the site is not assured Lack of surveying skills Poor communication skills Lack of materials testing and inspection skills

6. What are the consequences if QA and QC is overlooked

QA/QC issues are likely to happen if there is no concise documentation of project activities Compromise human and environmental safety Causes unnecessary reworks Creates conflict on contract time management- owner and contractor having different accounts on delays Project design life is likely to shorten due to poor quality Breeding ground for fraud Creates reputational risks And a host of other issues

7. What are the auxillary (tool) kits for Standard Construction Supervision and Contract Management
Contract Domain 1. Quality Toolkit Materials QCP, Technical Specifications, Plans (lines and grades), Shop Drawings, Site Instructions, Request for Information, Work Requests, Materials Test Report, CPES, DLP, Performance Security Approved as-stake survey, Approved as-staked quantity, Inspection Report, Back-up Calculations, SWA, Weekly Accomplishment Report, Straight Line Diagram, PERTCPM Approved Unit Cost Analysis, SWA, Cash Flow Schedule, Payment Certificates, CARI Weather Chart, Suspension and Extension of Time, Productivity Losses, Statement of Time Elapsed, S-curve and Bar Chart, Request for Time Extension

Control measures 1. Concise and up-to-date documentation of daily activities. 2. Contract Management and QA/QC skills 3. Variations - Work for affected work items can only commence after approval of VO

2. Quantity

3. Cost

4. Time

8. What are the construction preparatory procedures

For materials quality tests:

Joint Owner-Contractor reconnaissance survey on materials source sites Extraction, marking of samples, preparation of sample cards and delivery to accredited testing center under an approved Work Request Preparation and submission by Contractor its Quality Control Plan (QCP) for approval by Owners representative.

Sampling, marking and testing of roadway materials For as-stake survey:

Blending after obtaining satisfactory test results from laboratory

Joint Owner-Contractor As-staked (pre-construction) survey (Specs, Item 104.3.20). Identify and adjust/incorporate into the As-Staked Survey the sections, sites and other details from original approved plans not consistent with actual site conditions as jointly surveyed. Submission of As-staked plans and quantities for approval by Owner. Introduce Variation Order No. 1 if possible changes in time, quantity and cost are found necessary based on the results of the as-staked survey.

As-stake survey is one of the first stages of attaining QA and QC.

9. What are the requirements that needs to be submitted by the contractor to the LGU once the Notice to Commence Work (NTC) takes effect
Materials QCP As-Staked Plans

Revised Construction Schedule (in PERT-CPM, S-Curve with Bar Chart, Manpower, Equipment) Contractors Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Program Credentials of Key Personnel (CVs) Project Signboard MRDP Standard Reporting Templates Photo Documentation Procedures Relevant Implementation Guidelines (on Variations, Time Suspension/ Extension, etc.) Contractors Organizational Structure

Discussing these concerns in pre-construction conferences does not assure Contractors compliance.

TRIAL SECTIONS

10. What are the DPWH Standard Specifications for Roads and Highways (2004, Blue Book)
>> Clause 200.3.4 and 201.3.4 Trial Sections

Purpose - to check the suitability of the materials and the efficiency of the equipment and construction method which is proposed to be used by the Contractor. Contractor must use the same material, equipment and procedures that he proposes to use for the main work. One trial section of about 500 square meters shall be made for every type of material and/or construction equipment/ procedure proposed for use. After final compaction of each trial section, the Contractor shall carry out such field density tests and other tests required as directed by the Engineer.

A new trial section shall be constructed if: a. the proposed materials, equipment or procedures in the Engineers opinion are not suitable for sub-base, b. the basic conditions regarding the type of material or procedure change during the execution of the work

>> Tolerances Quality indicator Permitted variation from design Thickness of Layer Permitted variation from design Level of Surface Permitted Surface Irregularity Measured by 3-m straight-edge Permitted variation from design Crossfall or Camber Item 200 20 mm +10 mm -20 mm 20 mm 0.3% Item 201 10 mm + 5 mm -10 mm 5 mm 0.2% 0.1%

Permitted variation from design 0.1% Longitudinal Grade over 25 m in length

11. What are the procedures in preparing trial sections

Step 1. In coordination with the Contractors Project Engineer (PE), LGU Resident Engineer (RE) identifies road section where Trial Section will be undertaken in accordance with minimum requirements of the Specifications (Block 8). RE issues Site Instruction to Contractor to undertake Trial Section starting with subrade preparation. PE submits Work Request indicating type of activity, station limits and estimated item quantities for approval by RE. Materials Quality Tests and As-staked Plans should be approved prior to approval of Work Request. Note: Preparation of the trial section should not be a prior requirement for initial/preparatory activities such as Clearing and Grubbing and Earthworks. These activities can proceed independently in accordance with approved construction schedule.

Approved QCP

Approved As-Staked Survey

Site Instruction Trial Section

Inspection and Certification

Execution

Work Request

Step 2. Inspection and Certification Lines and Grades: Refer to: a) Approved As-staked Plan, and b) Allowable Tolerances (Block 8) Quality of Compaction: Field Density Test (FDT) - refer to approved Quality Control Plan (QCP) requirements - Determine number of passes for type of roller used Repeat process if results are unsatisfactory via issuance of Site Instruction. Proceed to the next layer (Item 200) otherwise. RE signs off on Inspection Report to manifest Contractors compliance to requirements.

Step 3. Item 200 PE submits Work Request for approval by RE Lines and Grades Must comply with the allowable tolerances for Item 200 (Block 8) Quality - Compaction via Field Density Test (FDT) - refer to QCP and Specs requirements -Determine number of passes for type of roller used Repeat process if results are unsatisfactory via issuance of Site Instruction. Proceed to the next layer (Item 201) otherwise. RE signs off on Inspection Report to manifest Contractors compliance to requirements.

Step 4. Item 201 Repeat the same procedures in Item 3. Note: Make sure that all materials incorporated into the various roadway layers are in accordance with approved grading, blending and moisture content requirements, immediately preceding its incorporation. Materials passing individual quality tests done at laboratory may not necessarily qualify for incorporation due to inappropriate processing and handling.

Item 105 - Sub-grade preparation. Check compliance to lines and grades after application then for compliance to compaction requirements via FDT.

Spreading.

Compaction. Check for compliance to lines and grades prior to FDT.

Repeat the same procedure for Item 201 (and 300 if required)

Sample photos of Trial Section activities

Making available standard set of field Materials Testing Apparatus saves the Contractor substantial amount of time and money. This requirement could form part of the SCC.

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QUICK NOTES:
1. (Strictly) enforcing Trial Section is not an assurance of full compliance to the Projects QA/QC objectives. 2. It is only an initial step in achieving quality assurance related to workmanship and procedures specially for LGUs who play the major role as Construction Supervisors and Contract Managers. 3. This exercise is meant to raise the awareness of sub-project implementation stakeholders of the standard procedures of check and balance right at project start up by achieving: a.Proper construction methodology b.Concise and up-to-date documentation and monitoring of sub-project activities using basic tools such as Work Requests, Site Instructions, Requests for Information and Daily Activity Log/Weather Report. 4. QA/QC conflicts can only be resolved if the proper flow of documentation is observed to a high degree of specificity by both Contractor and Owner. 5. PSO/RPCO RIEs presence are required in this exercise.

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Produced by:

Information, Advocacy, Communication and Education (InfoACE) Unit Rural Infrastructure Component Mindanao Rural Development Program 2 PROGRAM SUPPORT OFFICE
In coordination with the

Department of Agriculture

MINDANAO RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

PROGRAM SUPPORT OFFICE
Alvarez Bldg., A. Angliongto Sr. Ave., Lanang, Davao City 8000 Telephone No.: (082) 235-8665 Telefax: (082) 235-8664 Email: mrdp_pso@yahoo.com Website: www.damrdp.net

REGIONAL PROGRAM COORDINATION OFFICES

Region 9 Department of Agriculture Western Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (WESMIARC) Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay 7001 Tel.: (062) 333-2508 Email: damrdprpco9@yahoo.com Region 11 Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 11 F. Bangoy St., Davao City 8000 Te.: (082) 221-9697 Fax: (082) 226-3625 Email: mrdp_rpcoxi@yahoo.com Region 13 Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 13 Capitol Site, Butual City 8600 Te.: (085) 341-2045 Fax: (085) 341-2114 Email: dacaraga@yahoo.com Region 10 Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 10 A. Luna St., Cagayan de Oro City 9000 Te.: (08822) 728-236 Fax: (08822) 726564 | 725725 Region 12 Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 12 3rd Flr. CSA Bldg., cor. Zulueta Gensan Drive., Koronadal City 9506 Te.: (083) 520-0622/0624/0625 Fax: (083) 520-0628 ARMM Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) ARMM ORG Compound, Cotabato City 9600 Te.: (064) 421-1396 Fax: (064) 421-1396 Email: rpco_armm76@yahoo.com

www.damrdp.net