Streamlining the Quality Assurance Project Plan development process to reduce burdens on EPA grant recipients

EPA provides grant funding to States and Tribes to collect, produce, evaluate, and/or use environmental information under many environmental statutes (e.g., Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act). Prior to beginning work, grantees must develop and receive EPA approval of technical documents, known as QAPPs. QAPPs identify key project personnel, establish quality-related procedures, and document plans that help ensure project activities are performed correctly and accurately. Oftentimes, the process for reviewing and approving grantee QAPPs can differ across EPA’s ten regional offices. That variability can lead to inefficiency, inconsistency, and unclear expectations among grantees.

Through the E-Enterprise model, U.S. EPA, States, and Tribes used shared governance to improve QAPP processes and procedures and optimize technology support.

Project outcomes included:

• Improved Communications: Developed a set of criteria and guidelines to improve direct communications between regional QA managers and grantees.
• Standardized Quality Term and Condition: Incorpoarted consistent quality assurance requirements in award document language.
• Assessed and Provided QAPP Training: Inventoried existing training, surveyed state and tribal training needs, and conducted a gap analysis to adjust future training delivery and scope.
• Collected Data and Metrics: Collected data and tracked workflows to reduce the time required for QAPP review and approval.
• Developed Data Visualization Tool: Developed a visual dashboard to display state, tribal, and regional QAPP review and approval data.
• Finalized the Quality Management Plan (QMP) and QAPP Standard: Finalized the QMP Standard with participation from States and Tribes that write and review the plans.

U.S. EPA, States, and Tribes worked together to make the QAPP process more:

• Consistent
• Timely
• Transparent

U.S. EPA continues to coordinate with States and Tribes to further improve QAPP reviews and approvals.