Keeping a dredge plant in compliance with DQM is an ongoing job, not a one-time checkbox at certification. While work is underway, the contractor is responsible for maintaining a fully operational transmission system, submitting daily state data through the DQM Contractor Management Site, notifying the DQM Center at job start and completion, responding to QA notifications within 48 hours, and promptly repairing or recalibrating sensors when issues arise.
System operability and data quality standards
The contractor's DQM data transmission system must be fully operational at the start of dredging operations and certified prior to moving dredge material on the contract.
To meet contract requirements for operability, in addition to certification, the contractor's system must, at a minimum, transmit a data string providing accurate values for all parameters reported when operating according to the specification.
Daily operational data submissions
In addition to real-time work event messages, submission of "state data" is also required. State data provides information about the current state of the dredge equipment or operations.
State data is required for hopper, pipeline and mechanical plant. It is not required for scows.
State data are submitted daily through the DQM Contractor Management Site from the first day of dredging activity on a contract through the final day, reporting on all activities for the prior day.
State data collected includes, but is not limited to: contract information, load or coverage and volume estimates, non-effective event information, as well as dredge type-specific parameters such as pipeline length and outfall information for pipeline dredges and dredge advance for pipeline and mechanical dredges.
State events (event name, time, description, comment) must be recorded as they occur and submitted to DQM no later than the following day.
Explaining an outage that backup data cannot fill
Where a system outage leaves a gap in the data that cannot be filled from the onboard backup, the contractor provides a clear explanation documenting the cause and the duration of the gap.
Record that explanation in the DQM Contractor Management Site within 48 hours.
At the completion of dredging activities, all data gaps must be filled or otherwise addressed.
Required notifications to the DQM Center
Prior to commencement of job startup and at the completion of work, the DQM Center should be notified by emailing dqm-support@usace.army.mil.
The notification should include:
Requirements for sensor repairs and recalibration
If hardware problems occur or a part of the system is physically damaged, the contractor is responsible for repairs. Sensor failures are documented in the DQM Contractor Management Site.
Corrective action — repair, replacement or recalibration — must be completed within 48 hours of discovery. If that is not feasible, notify the DQM Center before the 48-hour deadline with the cause and an estimated completion date. Notify the Center again once the work is done.
The DQM Center may request recalibration of sensors or other hardware components at any time during the contract as deemed necessary. The contractor must comply with recalibration requests promptly to maintain data quality and system certification.
Quality Assurance Comments
Response requirements for QA notifications
Upon receipt of any QA notification, the contractor will acknowledge receipt and submit a response within 48 hours identifying immediate mitigations and an estimated restoration schedule.
All notifications, actions, and supporting records will be entered in the DQM Contractor Management Site.
Failure to respond or meet these timelines may be treated as non-compliance.