Hopper Dredges
- Clear and accurate draft marks
- Dragarm depth chain or calibrated pressure sensor
- Ullage tape
- Refractometer
- Water-sampling device
Certification & Recertification
The contractor is required to have a current certification from the DQM Center for all dredge plants to be used under a contract. Certification is contingent upon the system's ability to continuously meet the performance requirements outlined in the specification.
Compliance will be verified by onsite quality assurance (QA) checks and by periodic review of the transmitted data. If performance requirements are not met, the system certification may be revoked.
Certification
What DQM certification entails
The contractor is required to have a current certification from the DQM Center for all dredge plants to be used under a contract. Certification is contingent upon the system's ability to continuously meet the performance requirements outlined in the specification.
Compliance will be verified by onsite quality assurance (QA) checks and by periodic review of the transmitted data. If performance requirements are not met, the system certification may be revoked.
DQM Certification is based on the following criteria:
- The requirements outlined in the System Requirements section of the specification
- Verification of data acquisition and transfer as described in Performance Requirements
- Review of the Dredge Plant Instrumentation Plan (DPIP)
- Onsite QA checks as outlined on the DQM website
- Data quality maintained throughout the duration of the contract
- Timely communication and corrective action in response to QA notifications
- Accurate and timely entry of state data
Recertification
When and how to renew DQM certification
The owner, operator, or system provider of the dredge plant(s) must contact the DQM Center at dqm-support@usace.army.mil at least three weeks prior to certification expiration to schedule QA checks for certification renewal.
At least one week prior to the target date, the DQM Center must be contacted to verbally coordinate a specific date and location. The contractor must then follow up with a written email confirmation. The owner/operator must coordinate the QA checks with all local authorities, including the local USACE Representative.
Recertification is required for:
- Changes in sensor type or location
- Any yard work that produces modification to reported dredging operations, volumes, or locations
- For hoppers and scows: modifications that alter displacement and/or bin volume (change in bin dimensions, addition or subtraction of structure, repositioning of draft marks)
Any changes must be reported in the sensor log section of the DPIP.
Onsite QA Check Process
What to expect during a DQM quality assurance inspection
Personnel who are familiar with the system instrumentation and who have the ability to recalibrate the sensors must be on site during the QA process.
The dredging contractor will coordinate pickup times and locations and provide transportation to and from any platform with a DQM system to team personnel in a timely manner.
As a general rule, DQM Center personnel will come with personal protective equipment (PPE) consisting of hard-hats, steel-toe boots, and life jackets. If additional safety equipment is needed — such as eye protection, safety harnesses, work gloves, or personal location beacons — the dredging contractor will provide these items to the team while on site.
It is the dredging contractor's obligation to inform the QA team if the location designated for the QA checks has any site-specific safety concerns prior to their arrival.
Contractor-Supplied QA Equipment
Equipment the contractor must have available on each plant type for QA checks
Pipeline Dredges
- Suction mouth depth chain/tape or calibrated pressure sensor
Mechanical Dredges
- Bucket depth chain/tape or calibrated pressure sensor
Scows
- Clear and accurate draft marks
- Ullage tape