Quality and Market Standards: RES
1. Introduction
The Quality and Market Standards (QMS) module allows NYSERDA and contracted Quality Service Providers (QSPs) to identify projects that are eligible for field inspections. A random sampling of projects is selected for inspection to verify that program and technical requirements have been met. The QMS module allows inspectors to document evidence of any non-conformance through photos and written documentation. Information collected by the inspector is uploaded into the Salesforce QA checklist and an inspection report is generated. The QMS module allows the Contractor to submit corrective action documentation as needed and for the program implementer (either initiative staff or an external company providing support) to respond.
Audience: Participating Contractors
2. Process Overview
2.1. Process Steps
The diagram below outlines the QMS Process Steps for the complete inspection process. The standard inspection process is outlined in the All Inspections row. If an inspection requires Corrective Actions, this process is included in the Correct Action Required Path. Generally speaking, Inspections without major or critical non-conformances will typically end at the Review & Approve Inspection step in the All Inspections row. If there are any CAR Tasks, the process will include the Corrective Action Required Path.
3. Process Details
3.1. Inspections
NYSERDA conducts a minimum of three field inspections for each new participating Contractor. New contractors who have not passed three inspections are listed as Provisional. When they are in good standing after these inspections, their status is updated to Full. After an installer receives Full status, NYSERDA reviews a random sample of projects for review. Contractors with a Probationary or Suspended status may have 100% of their projects inspected.
3.2. Post Inspection Report
Once an inspection has been completed and submitted by the Inspector, and is reviewed and approved by the QSP QA Manager, an Inspection Report is generated and appended to the Project Inspection Record. An email is systematically sent to the Contractor with a link to the Inspection Report.
Below are examples of the heading for an Inspection Report for both a passed and failed inspection. In an actual Inspection Report, below the Pass/Fail heading displays details on all aspects of the inspection results.
3.3. Email Communications
Contractors receive email communication about QMS inspections. When an Inspector schedules a project for QMS, an email will be sent to the contractor with the inspection date, time, and address. NYSERDA automatically sends emails for cancelled and rescheduled inspections. The QSP QA Manager - the designated manager from the QSP QA agency - approves and distributes inspection reports to the project applicant. In rare instances a Contractor may not be notified of an upcoming inspection upon the customer’s request.
3.4. Quality Scoring
The QMS Salesforce module assigns a Quality Score (on a scale of 1 to 5) based on the inspection results. This score will be provided in the Inspection report that is generated after the Inspector completes the inspection. NYSERDA provides Contractors a link to the inspection report through Salesforce.
SQA Quality Score | Quality Score Description |
|---|---|
1 or 2 | Signifies a Failed Inspection with major and/or critical non-conformances. The Contractor must provide evidence to NYSERDA that these non-conformances outlined in the Inspection Report were resolved. Inspections in this score range may also contain minor or incidental non-conformances that will still need resolution, though the Contractor is not required to provide evidence for these issues. The inspection score may be updated if the Major and/or critical non-conformances are successfully contested |
3, 4, or 5 | Signifies a Passed Inspection with only minor or incidental non-conformances. The Contractor must correct these issues but is not required to provide evidence to NYSERDA. |
4. The NYSERDA Salesforce Partner Portal
The Quality and Market Standards (QMS) module is built within the NYSERDA Salesforce Partner Portal (also known as the Partner Portal). All activity related to scheduling, conducting, reviewing and approving inspections, and managing corrective action responses and resolutions, is documented and managed from within the Partner Portal.
4.1. Log into the NYSERDA Partner Portal
Access the Partner Portal Login Page.
Enter your Username and Password and click Log In. Your username is your email address through your organization with .nyserda added to the end as shown in the example screenshot.
You create the password when accessing the Partner Portal the first time after receiving login information from NYSERDA.
If you have forgotten the password, click the Forgot Your Password? link and follow the prompts to reset your password.
4.2. Dashboard
The Dashboard page provides an overview of your projects and the available reports for Contractors/Builders.
After logging into Salesforce, click the Dashboards tab to access the Dashboard.
The Dashboard includes several visual charts to help you track your projects.
A | If you have access to several dashboards, use the dropdown menu to navigate between them. |
B | Click Refresh to update the dashboards and display the most up-to-date information. |
C | Hover your mouse over any data elements in any graph to reveal a tooltip with granular details. |
D | Each chart in the Dashboard has an underlying report that can be accessed by clicking the chart. |
4.3. Reports
To access all of the reports available to Contractors/Builders, follow the instructions below.
After logging into Salesforce, access the Dashboards tab.