Q1 What does CQM-C stand for?
ANS Construction Quality Management for Contractors. It is a
certification program developed jointly by the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers (USACE) and the Naval Facilities Engineering
Systems Command (NAVFAC) to ensure contractors
understand and implement quality management on government
construction projects.
Q2 What is the primary purpose of the CQM-C certification?
ANS The primary purpose is to ensure that contractors and their key
personnel understand the principles and requirements of
construction quality management so they can establish,
implement, and manage an effective Quality Control (QC)
program on government construction projects.
Q3 Which agencies jointly developed the CQM-C program?
ANS The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Naval
Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) jointly
developed the CQM-C program.
Q4 How long is a CQM-C certification valid?
ANS A CQM-C certification is valid for five (5) years. After that
period, the individual must recertify by retaking the course or
meeting recertification requirements.
Q5 Who is typically required to hold a CQM-C certification on a
USACE or NAVFAC project?
Page 1 | USACE/NAVFAC CQM-C Study Material
,ANS The Superintendent and the Quality Control (QC) Manager on
USACE and NAVFAC construction projects are typically
required to hold a valid CQM-C certification.
Q6 What is the minimum passing score for the CQM-C exam?
ANS The minimum passing score for the CQM-C exam is 70%.
Q7 What is the difference between Quality Control (QC) and
Quality Assurance (QA)?
ANS Quality Control (QC) is the contractor's internal system of
checks and inspections to ensure work meets contract
requirements. Quality Assurance (QA) is the government's
oversight function to verify that the contractor's QC program is
effective. QC is the contractor's responsibility; QA is the
government's responsibility.
Q8 What document governs the QC requirements on USACE
construction contracts?
ANS ER 1180-1-6 (Construction Quality Management) governs QC
requirements on USACE construction contracts, along with
contract specifications such as Section 01 45 00 (Quality
Control).
Q9 What is a Definable Feature of Work (DFOW)?
ANS A Definable Feature of Work (DFOW) is a task that is separate
and distinct from other tasks, has control or risk implications,
and is required to have its own preparatory, initial, and follow-
up inspection phases documented under the Three-Phase
Control System.
Q10 What is the Three-Phase Control System?
ANS The Three-Phase Control System is the core of
USACE/NAVFAC QC. It consists of three phases: (1)
Preparatory Phase – conducted before starting work on a
Page 2 | USACE/NAVFAC CQM-C Study Material
, DFOW; (2) Initial Phase – conducted at the start of work on a
DFOW; and (3) Follow-Up Phase – conducted regularly during
work on a DFOW to ensure continued compliance.
Q11 What must be accomplished during the Preparatory
Phase?
ANS During the Preparatory Phase, the QC team must: review
contract requirements and submittals; verify materials and
equipment are on hand and approved; check test equipment
calibration; review safety requirements; and discuss the work
plan with all relevant personnel.
Q12 What must be accomplished during the Initial Phase?
ANS During the Initial Phase, which occurs at the start of actual
work, the QC team verifies that: work is being performed per
the contract and approved submittals; the first portion of work
meets standards; testing is being performed; and any
deficiencies are corrected before proceeding.
Q13 What must be accomplished during the Follow-Up Phase?
ANS During the Follow-Up Phase, the QC team conducts continuing
checks throughout the duration of the DFOW to ensure work
remains in compliance with contract requirements and that
initial quality levels are being maintained consistently.
Q14 What is the role of the QC Manager?
ANS The QC Manager is the contractor's representative responsible
for implementing and managing the QC program. They oversee
the Three-Phase Control System, sign QC reports, manage
submittals, control non-conformances, coordinate with the
government's QA representative, and ensure all contract quality
requirements are met.
Page 3 | USACE/NAVFAC CQM-C Study Material
, Q15 Can the QC Manager also serve as the project
Superintendent?
ANS On projects with a contract value above $10 million, the QC
Manager and Superintendent must be separate individuals. On
smaller projects, the same person may fulfill both roles if
permitted by the contract.
Q16 What is a QC Plan?
ANS A QC Plan is a written document prepared by the contractor
that describes how the contractor will implement quality control
on the project. It includes the organizational structure,
personnel qualifications, the Three-Phase Control System
procedures, testing plan, submittal procedures, and
documentation methods.
Q17 When must the QC Plan be submitted?
ANS The QC Plan must typically be submitted within a specified
number of days after contract award (commonly within 14 to 30
days), as stipulated in the contract specifications, and it must
be approved by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR)
or Contracting Officer before construction begins.
Q18 What happens if the QC Plan is not approved before
construction starts?
ANS Work generally cannot begin until the QC Plan is approved.
Starting work without an approved QC Plan can result in stop-
work orders or the government withholding payment.
Q19 What is a QC Report?
ANS A QC Report (also called a Daily QC Report) is a written record
prepared daily by the QC Manager documenting QC activities,
weather, work performed, tests conducted, materials received,
deficiencies noted, and corrective actions taken during that
day's work.
Page 4 | USACE/NAVFAC CQM-C Study Material
ANS Construction Quality Management for Contractors. It is a
certification program developed jointly by the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers (USACE) and the Naval Facilities Engineering
Systems Command (NAVFAC) to ensure contractors
understand and implement quality management on government
construction projects.
Q2 What is the primary purpose of the CQM-C certification?
ANS The primary purpose is to ensure that contractors and their key
personnel understand the principles and requirements of
construction quality management so they can establish,
implement, and manage an effective Quality Control (QC)
program on government construction projects.
Q3 Which agencies jointly developed the CQM-C program?
ANS The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Naval
Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) jointly
developed the CQM-C program.
Q4 How long is a CQM-C certification valid?
ANS A CQM-C certification is valid for five (5) years. After that
period, the individual must recertify by retaking the course or
meeting recertification requirements.
Q5 Who is typically required to hold a CQM-C certification on a
USACE or NAVFAC project?
Page 1 | USACE/NAVFAC CQM-C Study Material
,ANS The Superintendent and the Quality Control (QC) Manager on
USACE and NAVFAC construction projects are typically
required to hold a valid CQM-C certification.
Q6 What is the minimum passing score for the CQM-C exam?
ANS The minimum passing score for the CQM-C exam is 70%.
Q7 What is the difference between Quality Control (QC) and
Quality Assurance (QA)?
ANS Quality Control (QC) is the contractor's internal system of
checks and inspections to ensure work meets contract
requirements. Quality Assurance (QA) is the government's
oversight function to verify that the contractor's QC program is
effective. QC is the contractor's responsibility; QA is the
government's responsibility.
Q8 What document governs the QC requirements on USACE
construction contracts?
ANS ER 1180-1-6 (Construction Quality Management) governs QC
requirements on USACE construction contracts, along with
contract specifications such as Section 01 45 00 (Quality
Control).
Q9 What is a Definable Feature of Work (DFOW)?
ANS A Definable Feature of Work (DFOW) is a task that is separate
and distinct from other tasks, has control or risk implications,
and is required to have its own preparatory, initial, and follow-
up inspection phases documented under the Three-Phase
Control System.
Q10 What is the Three-Phase Control System?
ANS The Three-Phase Control System is the core of
USACE/NAVFAC QC. It consists of three phases: (1)
Preparatory Phase – conducted before starting work on a
Page 2 | USACE/NAVFAC CQM-C Study Material
, DFOW; (2) Initial Phase – conducted at the start of work on a
DFOW; and (3) Follow-Up Phase – conducted regularly during
work on a DFOW to ensure continued compliance.
Q11 What must be accomplished during the Preparatory
Phase?
ANS During the Preparatory Phase, the QC team must: review
contract requirements and submittals; verify materials and
equipment are on hand and approved; check test equipment
calibration; review safety requirements; and discuss the work
plan with all relevant personnel.
Q12 What must be accomplished during the Initial Phase?
ANS During the Initial Phase, which occurs at the start of actual
work, the QC team verifies that: work is being performed per
the contract and approved submittals; the first portion of work
meets standards; testing is being performed; and any
deficiencies are corrected before proceeding.
Q13 What must be accomplished during the Follow-Up Phase?
ANS During the Follow-Up Phase, the QC team conducts continuing
checks throughout the duration of the DFOW to ensure work
remains in compliance with contract requirements and that
initial quality levels are being maintained consistently.
Q14 What is the role of the QC Manager?
ANS The QC Manager is the contractor's representative responsible
for implementing and managing the QC program. They oversee
the Three-Phase Control System, sign QC reports, manage
submittals, control non-conformances, coordinate with the
government's QA representative, and ensure all contract quality
requirements are met.
Page 3 | USACE/NAVFAC CQM-C Study Material
, Q15 Can the QC Manager also serve as the project
Superintendent?
ANS On projects with a contract value above $10 million, the QC
Manager and Superintendent must be separate individuals. On
smaller projects, the same person may fulfill both roles if
permitted by the contract.
Q16 What is a QC Plan?
ANS A QC Plan is a written document prepared by the contractor
that describes how the contractor will implement quality control
on the project. It includes the organizational structure,
personnel qualifications, the Three-Phase Control System
procedures, testing plan, submittal procedures, and
documentation methods.
Q17 When must the QC Plan be submitted?
ANS The QC Plan must typically be submitted within a specified
number of days after contract award (commonly within 14 to 30
days), as stipulated in the contract specifications, and it must
be approved by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR)
or Contracting Officer before construction begins.
Q18 What happens if the QC Plan is not approved before
construction starts?
ANS Work generally cannot begin until the QC Plan is approved.
Starting work without an approved QC Plan can result in stop-
work orders or the government withholding payment.
Q19 What is a QC Report?
ANS A QC Report (also called a Daily QC Report) is a written record
prepared daily by the QC Manager documenting QC activities,
weather, work performed, tests conducted, materials received,
deficiencies noted, and corrective actions taken during that
day's work.
Page 4 | USACE/NAVFAC CQM-C Study Material
