The SWAMP Quality Assurance Team (QAT) performs periodic quality systems assessments of the program’s master contract laboratories. These assessments are based on the standard operating procedure (SOP):  Systems Assessment for Contract Laboratories. Their purpose is to evaluate these organizations against the requirements of the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Program Plan (QAPrP).

The onsite visit follows the agenda provided in a pre-assessment packet, and includes an opening and closing meeting. Following the assessment, the lead assessor prepares a report detailing findings and observations, supporting evidence for each, and references the QAPrP or other applicable requirements. The involved organization is then required to submit a written response to the lead assessor. Finally, this response is either approved or returned for revision and resubmittal.

At the discretion of the SWAMP Coordinator and SWAMP Quality Assurance (QA) Officer, a remote assessment may be conducted in lieu of an onsite visit. Typically, a remote assessment focuses on the documentation of the involved organization.