Supplier Evaluation and Selection in the “Service” industry

[Dkucyk]

I have a supplier evaluation process established but the Corporate QMR does not feel it meets the intent of 7.4.1. Here is my dilemma and maybe someone else out there can help me out.

I am the QMR of a Division of the Company. Our business is in Service. Our Division provides “People (Staff Augmentation)”. We are the prime contractor on a very large Omnibus Contract. We have 25 teammates (subcontractors). Our primary customer is the US Army (Acquisition). A Program Manager (PM) is short on Logisticians and we find a “loggie” to fulfill the requirement. They need someone to do graphic presentations and we hire a qualified graphics person. Get the drift?

Now the PM needs a Modeling and Simulation person and I can’t fill the position from my personnel resources. I have a teaming agreement with a subcontractor that can fill the position with a qualified person. They get the work and I get a pass through.

The Team we built (which took place a few years prior to ISO Certification) was based on some objective, some subjective and a little political reasoning. Since these 25 subs were around before my ISO Certification I have “grandfathered” them in based on their ability to supply a product IAW the customer’s requirements.

The subs are evaluated around quarterly when we do a Customer Satisfaction Survey with our Clients and a record of this review is maintained. Does anybody see any flaws here or something that would lead an external auditor to believe there was some sort of noncompliance here? I am attaching the process I developed for your review. Please feel free to comment. Thanks to all.

Doug

[howste]

7.4.1 allows you to determine the criteria for selection of suppliers. As long as you determine appropriate criteria, evaluate them, then have records of the results of the evaluation and any actions taken, you've met the requirements of the standard.

I would think that in addition to the vendor qualification process, you would also require qualification of the individual providing the service (7.4.2b). Has this been addressed?

[Mike S.]

Since you had a relationship rrior to ISO, ss long as you can show the other company's people have been doing the job well, I see no problem grandfathering them as "qualified based on prior history".