DLAD 4155.7

 

 QUALITY ASSURANCE TECHNICAL 

 DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (QATDP) 

 FOR 

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY 

INVENTORY CONTROL POINTS 

 

 

 

AUGUST 1996

• 

MMLXQ 
DLAD 4155.7 

MMLXQ 

 Aug 96 

QUALITY ASSURANCE TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (QATDP) FOR THE DEFENSE 

LOGISTICS AGENCY INVENTORY CONTROL POINTS. 

(This publication has been revised significantly and must be reviewed in its 

entirety.) 

A. REFERENCES:

 

1. DLAM 4155.7, Quality Assurance Technical Development Program for 

Defense Supply Centers, Defense Depots, and DIPEC, July 1987, superseded. 

2. DLAD 4155.2, Quality Assurance Program for the Defense Logistics Agency 

Inventory Control Points, January 1995. 

3. DLAM 4745.12, Defense Business Management System User’s Manuel, 01 Oct 

95. 

 4. DoD 5000.52-M, Acquisition Career Development Program, Draft 

Replacement for Nov 1991 Version. 

5. DLAD 4105.20, Product Verification Program for Inventory Control 

Points, 20 Jan 95 

6. DoD 1430.12, Civilian Employee Development and Training, 24 Nov 87. 

7. DLAI 4155.7, Defense Logistics Agency Inventory Control Point Quality 

Assurance Technical Development Program Course Catalog. 

B. PURPOSE. This directive: 

1. Supersedes reference A1. 

2. Establishes policy and assigns responsibilities for providing quality 

assurance (QA) technical development training to Inventory Control Point (ICP) 

personnel performing the quality assurance functions defined in reference A2. 

3. Assures that a highly trained and technically competent work force is 

available to: 

a. Develop contract QA requirements and perform the full range of 

identified preaward and postaward QA functions in support of the ICP mission. 

b. Perform the full range of QA functions at Defense Fuel Supply Center 

field activities. 

4. Assists the ICPs in fulfilling their requirement to establish a career 

development and training program for personnel performing QA functions. 

5. Supports the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA), and 

subsequent guidance, DoDM 5000.52-M, Acquisition Career Development Program. 

 6. Contains guidance for Individual Development Plans (IDPs) and provides 

the means to achieve the technical skills required to perform Quality 

Assurance duties. 

7. Establishes the policy and the requirements for certification of 

product conformance and quality assurance personnel who may independently 

develop contract QA requirements or perform product conformance functions at 

the ICP. 

 

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8. Provides guidelines to be followed in approving equivalent training. 

9. Establishes policy for maintenance of certification. 

 10. Establishes guidelines and assigns responsibilities for the development, 

preparation, review and revision of course materials, and for the 

administration of training. 

C. APPLICABILITY AND SCOPE. This directive defines mandatory training and 

certification requirements for all ICP personnel performing or supervising 

product conformance or quality assurance functions as defined in DLAD 4155.2, 

QA Program for the DLA ICPs, (hereafter referred to as the ICP QA Program). 

This directive should be used in conjuction with DLAI 4155.7. 

D. DEFINITIONS: 

1. Additional Training: Additional training generally falls into three 

categories: 

 a. Training identified by the first line supervisor for employees in 

order to obtain certification in a commodity skill area and is based on item 

assignment(s) (Priority 1).

 b. Training identified by the first line supervisor for employees who 

have previously obtained certification in a commodity skill area but have been 

assigned items which necessitate additional technical training (Priority 1).

 c. Career development training (normally Priority 2). 

2. Annual Review. A formal review/analysis performed by MMLX on an annual 

basis of all courses using field comments and other input to determine whether 

there are any problems in existing courses which need to be addressed. 

3. Basic Certification. Certification in the QA Systems Skill area. 

4. Certification. Formal recognition of an individual's technical 

development and skills. Personnel may be trained technically but not 

certified due to lack of hands-on experience or failure to demonstrate 

commodity oriented technical skills. 

5. Certification Codes: Codes used to identify the certification status 

of QA personnel in the various skill areas: 

 a. Code 1: Certified and working in the skill area. 

 b. Code 2: Certified and not working in the skill area. 

 c. Code 3: Certification goal established. 

 d. Code 4: Meets academic requirements for certification. 

6. Commodity Certification. Certification in a commodity skill area. 

7. Commodity Skill Areas: A commodity specialization associated with 

product or service-oriented technical development courses identified for 

effective performance in the commodity. First line supervisors (FLSs) will 

determine the commodity skill areas to be assigned to QA personnel based on 

their job assignments, both current and planned. The following are commodity 

skill areas applicable to the QATDP: 

 a. Aerospace: Aerospace systems and primary structural components of 

the system, including launch vehicles and spacecraft. 

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 b. Aircraft: Fixed and rotary wing aircraft systems including 

structural components of the total system such as airframes, wings, or 

stabilizers. 

 c. Ammunition: Conventional ammunition and special weapons (e.g., 

chemical and biological weapons) and their components, propellants, and 

explosive devices, including quality assurance activities related to the 

serviceability and maintenance of munitions. 

 d. Automotive: Trucks, cars, buses, special-purpose vehicles (e.g., 

fire-fighting equipment, mobile maintenance shops, reconnaissance vehicles), 

track or crawler vehicles, and materials handling equipment. 

 e. Bulk Petroleum: Liquid and gaseous fuel, and lubricants. 

f. Clothing/Textile: Clothing, footwear, tentage, individual equipment 

items, life support equipment (parachutes, inflatables, etc.), and the 

materials from which produced, including leather, textiles, plastics, rubber, 

and natural and synthetic fibers. 

 g. Electronics: Electronic equipment and instruments, including radio 

and television equipment, radar, sonar, navigational computers, missile 

guidance equipment, and Electro-optical equipment. Also includes electrical 

equipment, apparatus, instruments, motors, generators, transformers, switches 

and controls. 

 h. Materials: Raw, processed, or fabricated materials including lumber, 

metals, ores, minerals, rubber, and fibers (metallic, rubber and wood). 

 i. Mechanical: Equipment, machines, and instruments powered by heat or 

mechanical energy, including steam and internal combustion power plants, 

industrial and ordnance equipment, heating and air-conditioning equipment, 

machine tools, and mechanical equipment not included under other 

specializations. 

 j. Medical Devices: Hospital, surgical, and laboratory equipment. 

 k. Subsistence: Meats, water foods, dairy products, poultry and eggs, 

fruits and vegetables, operational rations, and general products. 

8. Control Codes: Codes used to identify QA personnel performing Center 

QA functions or providing support to QA functions. 

 a. Code 1: QA personnel actually performing in-plant: surveillance; 

Center QA functions. 

 b. Code 2: QA personnel providing support to personnel performing QA 

functions (staff specialist and supervisors, etc.). 

 c. Code 3: QA personnel in formal training programs (QA Interns). 

9. Course Validation. A formal review performed by the subject matter 

expert (SME) on courses that do not have DLA Programs of Instruction (POIs) to 

determine if the course is still adequate to meet the needs of DLA personnel. 

10. Defense Business Management System (DBMS). The automated system, 

defined by DLAM 4745.12, and used by the Civilian Personnel Office and 

supervisors to identify, track, monitor, and schedule training and 

certification requirements designated in the QATDP. 

11. Equivalent Experience. Relevant experience that has been approved as a 

substitute for a training course. 

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12. Equivalency Testing. An approved test (oral and/or written) which, upon 

successful completion, can be used to grant credit for courses. 

13. Equivalent Training. Any training course that has been approved as a 

substitute for a QATDP training course. 

14. First-Line Supervisors (FLS). Employee’s immediate management 

representative responsible for employee’s performance appraisal. Does not 

include “lead” or “senior” specialists nor team leaders unless these personnel 

are officially responsible for employee’s performance appraisal. 

 

15. Hands-On Experience. Applying, directing, evaluating, and/or supporting 

techniques utilizing the technical knowledge and skills pertinent to the 

products covered by the commodity. 

16. Major Change. Any change to course content required when DLA policy is 

affected. 

17. Mandatory Training Courses. Courses identified in Figures 1A or 1B and 

additional courses identified by the FLS from Policy Paragraph 15 which must 

be completed based either on a specific skill area requirement or contract 

assignments. 

18. Minor Change. Any change to course content when DLA policy is not 

affected. 

19. Onsite Training. Training normally provided by certified DLA 

instructors who are assigned to a DLA training activity; e.g., DCMDs, DCPSO, 

Centers and Depots. Onsite training is normally given at a location 

convenient to class participants. 

20. Periodic Course Evaluation. A formal review performed by the SME on 

courses that are taught onsite using DLA POIs to determine if the course 

curriculum is still adequate and current for use by DLA personnel. Normally, 

periodic course evaluations are performed after the annual review unless 

otherwise specified by MMLX. 

21. Priority Codes. Codes used to identify the priority of training 

requirements. 

a. Priority 1: Mission essential course which is required in order for 

the employee to perform his/her duties in a satisfactory manner. All courses 

prescribed in Figure 1A. are Priority 1 courses if needed for certification in 

an assigned skill area. 

 b. Priority 2: Course which is required for career development, 

attainment of skills/knowledge for future assignments, or replacement of 

skills/knowledge lost due to extended periods of nonuse. 

c. Priority 3: Optional Course that will increase productivity of 

employee or cross-train employee in additional job series. 

22. Product Verification Testing. Actions taken by the ICPs to assess 

product conformance and usability of a select population of items either 

purchased or in inventory. 

23. Product Conformance. The subset of quality assurance which deals with 

assessment of post-manufacturing or post-service actions. Product conformance 

includes the assessment of usability, conformance to purchase requirements, 

investigation of deficiencies, test and evaluation, customer satisfaction, 

deficiency costing, readiness impact, and product quality/usability feedback 

systems. 

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24. Program of Instruction . The lesson plan for an onsite course that 

includes a listing of course objectives. POIs are prepared in a standardized 

format as specified by MMLX. 

25. Quality Assurance. An integrated system of actions comprising the 

prevention, detection, and assessment of product or service deficiencies and 

the cost and readiness effect of deficiencies on materiel management systems. 

26. Quality Assurance Personnel. All personnel who are performing QA 

functions at DLA Inventory Control Points. 

27. Quality Assurance Technical Development Program (QATDP). The formal 

program for identifying and accomplishing the technical development needs of 

personnel performing product conformance or other quality assurance functions. 

28. Systems Skill Area. Skill area for personnel performing QA functions 

which requires knowledge of basic QA systems and skills and are not commodity 

oriented. 

 

29. Subject Matter Expert. The person, generally from HQ DLA staff, 

responsible for the technical accuracy and content of a specific course. 

30. Support Quality Assurance Personnel. Technical specialists who do not 

work specifically in the product quality area but who do provide support with 

respect to commodity areas and specialized subjects such as quality systems, 

materials processes, calibration, reliability, etc. 

31. Technical Development. The activities associated with providing QA 

personnel training needed to develop required skills, knowledge, and abilities 

associated with their assignment. 

E. POLICY. 

1. ICPs shall develop and maintain technical staff expertise relating to 

product conformance. This expertise is necessary to insure that procurements 

have adequate requirements for control of product or service characteristics. 

These controls are necessary to insure the usability of all procured items. 

2. Technical expertise related to product conformance is also necessary to 

assure that national inventories satisfy the requirements of the military or 

civilian end user. 

3. The technical expertise necessary involves knowledge of two areas: 

a. general control systems related to product conformance (QA system 

skills) 

b. detailed product knowledge related to specific methods and processes 

used to manufacture a commodity (commodity skills). 

4. The QATDP certification program provides a consistent approach to 

obtaining the necessary technical expertise. 

5. ICPs shall establish a career development and training program to 

assure that personnel performing product conformance functions possess the 

knowledge and skills for their assigned commodities. 

6. The QATDP defines the minimum knowledge required to perform product 

conformance/QA functions at the ICPs. The following is a list of the specific 

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knowledge requirements needed by personnel performing ICP quality functions: 

a. Knowledge of DLAD 4155.2 

b. Knowledge of Contracting 

c. Knowledge of Quality Systems 

d. Knowledge of ISO 9000 

 e. Knowledge of Risk Assessment 

f. Knowledge of Contract Law 

 

g. Knowledge of FAR, DFAR, DLAR 

h. Knowledge of Specifications/Standards 

i. Knowledge of Packaging/Storage 

j. Knowledge of Statistics 

k. Knowledge of Data Analysis Techniques 

l. Knowledge and Ability to Query Automated Systems

 

7. The QATDP establishes the minimum requirements in training and 

experience necessary to obtain the knowledge requirements listed above and to 

certify personnel performing product conformance/QA functions at the ICPs. 

8. The QATDP identifies current sources for obtaining the required 

knowledge. 

9. All personnel performing quality assurance functions defined in DLAD 

4155.2 are required to participate in the QATDP. Supervisors of personnel 

performing quality assurance functions must attend either Course S61, Defense 

Supply Center Contract Quality Assurance, or QA for Commodity Business Units 

and Commodity Management Groups 01-01. At Defense Fuel Supply Center (DFSC), 

supervisors of personnel performing quality assurance functions can attend 

S61A, DFSC Quality Assurance Course, to meet the requirements of this 

paragraph. 

 10. Each person performing product conformance/QA functions defined in DLAD 

4155.2 on specific commodities is required to attain certification in the 

skill area related to that commodity. Personnel will not normally be assigned 

to work outside of their commodity specialization unless technical assistance 

is provided. FLSs will promptly schedule their employees for commodity 

technical training upon assigning their employees to a new commodity area. 

 11. The commodity specializations are: aerospace, aircraft, automotive, bulk 

petroleum, clothing/textile, electronics, materials, mechanical, medical 

devices, and subsistence. 

 12. First line supervisors will determine the commodity skill areas that are 

applicable to their employees. The Federal Supply Class (FSC) Code of 

items/systems the individual is responsible for will not be used by the FLS as 

the sole measure for determining the commodity skills of their employee. 

 13. The following matrices list the courses which are mandatory for each 

skill area (core courses). The course identifiers used in the following 

matrices are listed in DLAI 4155.7 and include descriptions, length, 

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objectives, prerequisites, equivalencies, and sources. Besides the core 

courses, the FLS may designate additional mandatory courses for each employee 

based on the type of contracts/items assigned to them. All courses required 

for certification are Priority 1 training requirements. NOTE: DAWIA courses 

identified in these matrices are included only to the extent required for 

technical development purposes. DAWIA certifications are authorized by public 

law and form a separate requirement for all acquisition professionals. 

 REQUIRED TRAINING COURSES FOR INVENTORY CONTROL POINTS 

SKILL AREA/Code Code Mandatory Course Numbers 

QA Systems Q1 CON101 SQC001 S61* S60 ISO001 

Aerospace QL S50 S06 S44 S48 

Aircraft QA S48 S50 S06 S44 

Automotive Q9 S48 G20 S13 S44 S50 S06 

Petroleum QU J20 J22 

Clothing QC C15 C16 P01 P02 

Electronic QW S55 S06 S44 S54 

Materials ** QM S44 S50 F06 S48 

Mechanical QG S50 S06 S44 S48 

Medical Devices QK S50 S06 S44 S48 

Subsistence QS H02 H03 H04 H05 

 

* Personnel performing quality assurance functions for the DFSC petroleum 

commodity can substitute S61A for S61. 

** “QA of Rubber Products” or equivalent will be added when a source is found. 

Policy Paragraph 15 identifies other courses that may be mandatory depending 

on each individual's assignment. Courses in Policy Paragraph 15 are in 

addition to those listed above and must be completed prior to certification. 

 

 Figure 1A

 REQUIRED TRAINING COURSES FOR 

 DFSC FIELD ACTIVITIES

 QUALITY SURVEILLANCE REPRESENTATIVE (QSRs)

 

Skill Area Code Mandatory Course Numbers 

 QA Systems Q5 SQC001 PQM101 S60 S61A 

 Petroleum Quality QT J07 J20 J22 

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 Courses listed are the basic "core" courses which are mandatory for each 

skill area. Policy Paragraph 15 identifies other courses that are mandatory 

depending on each individual's assignment. Courses in Policy Paragraph 15 are 

in addition to those listed above and must be completed prior to 

certification. 

RECOMMENDED TRAINING COURSES 

FOR 

DFSC FIELD ACTIVITIES 

(QSR's)

The following courses are not mandatory for certification but are recommended 

to expand the QSR's expertise. Applicability is based on an individual's 

assignment. 

 J23 Marine Measurement 

 J24 Introduction to Petroleum Refinery Processing 

J25 Oil Spill Control Course J26 Petroleum Tankship Operations 

 J27 Aviation Fuels, Specifications and Test Methods 

 Figure 1B 

 14. Additional training courses required for certification will be 

identified by first line supervisors in order to provide the employee with the 

necessary skills to accomplish contract or supply quality assurance actions 

for the items and duties assigned. 

 15. Additional training or specialty courses (i.e. QA of Wood Products), 

over and above base certification requirements, may be necessary for 

developing technical skills associated with certain items or facilities. 

ADDITIONAL COURSES FOR SPECIFIC COMMODITIES/PROCESSES 

(Applicable to the extent indicated.) 

 Course Applicability 

BBR101 Any personnel who require ability to read engineering 

drawings. 

C02 Personnel performing quality functions on footwear and/or leather 

products. 

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C03 Personnel performing quality functions on parachutes and/or 

parachute components. 

C05 Personnel performing quality functions on embroidered insignia 

items. 

C06 Personnel performing quality functions on tentage items. 

C15 Personnel performing quality functions on clothing and textiles. 

C16 Personnel performing quality functions on cloth, fabrics, or inplant testing of textile fabrics. 

C17 Personnel performing quality functions on either life-support 

clothing or equipment manufactured from synthetic rubber coated 

cloth. 

C20 Personnel performing quality functions on dress clothing items. 

E04 Personnel performing quality functions on items involving 

manufacture of solid state electronic devices to military 

specifications MIL-PRF-19500 or MIL-M-38510. 

E11 Personnel performing quality functions on items where 

electromagnetic compatibility testing is required. 

E12 Personnel performing quality functions on electronic equipment 

involving the use of digital techniques. 

F06 Personnel performing quality functions on items involving wood 

products. 

G02 Personnel performing quality functions for the manufacture, 

maintenance, and overhaul of units using gas turbine engines. 

G10 Personnel performing quality functions for the manufacture, rework, 

or modification of railcars. 

G15 Personnel performing quality functions items involving the rework, 

overhaul, or manufacture of industrial plant equipment. 

J03 Personnel performing quality functions items involving the 

manufacture of propellants and/or oxidizers. 

J06 Personnel performing quality functions items involving compressed 

gas cylinders or compressed gases. 

J07 Personnel performing quality functions into-plane service 

contracts. 

J08 Personnel performing quality functions on coal. 

J15 Personnel performing quality functions on aviator's breathing 

oxygen items. 

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J22 Quality Assurance personnel assigned to Tanker/Barge operations or 

confined spaces where hazard recognition is required 

J23 Quality Assurance personnel assigned to Tanker/Barge operations. 

J24 Quality Assurance Personnel assigned to refinerey operations. 

J25 Quality Assurance Personnel assigned to Government-owned terminals. 

J26 QASs assigned to monitor tankship operations. 

J27 Supervisory field personnel or fuel laboratory supervisors. 

N12 Personnel performing quality functions to items which invoke the 

Material Control Standard, MCS-6. 

P04,Q54 Personnel performing quality functions that require releasing 

hazardous material for shipment in the public transportation 

system. 

P01,P02

P03 

Personnel performing quality functions relating to contracts/items 

which require military packaging, packing, preservation, and 

marking to military specification. 

P05 Personnel performing quality functions on contracts that involve 

the packaging and handling of Electrostatic Discharge Materiel. 

Q54 Personnel performing quality function dealing with the packaging of 

hazardous materiel. 

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Q61 Personnel performing quality functions related to the preparation 

of military specifications or standards. 

S06 Personnel performing quality functions that require the ability to 

measure dimensional product features with standard measuring 

equipment. 

S07 Personnel performing quality functions on items which require 

monitoring calibration requirements of ANSI Z540-1 or DLAD 4155.21. 

S09 Any personnel performing functions where statistical sampling per 

specifications are required. 

S44 Personnel performing quality functions on contracts that require 

the reading of drawings required by contract or specification. 

S44A Personnel determining product conformance of geometrically 

toleranced parts or using coordinate measuring machines. 

S48 Personnel performing quality functions on items that require the 

surface treatment of metals (plating, corrosion control, etc.). 

S50 Personnel performing quality functions on contracts/items that 

require metal forming, heat treatment, and testing of metals. 

S53 Personnel performing quality functions contracts/items that involve 

the use of composite materials. 

S81 Any personnel required to measure or demonstrate statistical 

control of a continuous process. 

S91 Any personnel required to measure or demonstrate statistical 

control of a short-run process. 

U10 Personnel performing quality functions that involve the use of 

ultrasonic evaluation. 

U11 Personnel performing quality functions that involve the use of 

magnetic particle evaluation. 

U12 Personnel performing quality functions that involve the use of 

radiographic evaluation. 

U13 Personnel performing quality functions that involve the use of 

liquid penetrant evaluation. 

U14 Personnel performing quality functions that involve the use of eddy 

current evaluation. 

16. Courses identified in this directive should be used to the maximum 

extent possible for the technical and career development of personnel 

performing product conformance or QA functions. When it has been determined 

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that the required training cannot be obtained through established sources, 

MMLXQ shall be advised in order that a DLA-unique course may be developed. 

 17. Requirements for certification in the QA Systems Skill area are as 

follows: 

a. Completion of all required courses for the QA Systems Skill area as 

identified in Figure 1A. 

b. Minimum of 6 months experience in performing QA/product conformance 

functions. 

c. Acceptable performance appraisal. 

 18. Requirements for certification in a commodity skill area are as follows: 

a. Completion of all required courses for the applicable commodity skill 

area as identified in Figures 1A and 1B 

b. Completion of all Priority 1 additional training courses applicable 

to a specific commodity skill area that have been identified by FLSs as a 

requirement for certification. 

c. Current acceptable performance appraisal. 

 19. Training in commodity courses can be accomplished prior to obtaining 

certification in the QA systems skill area. 

 20. Eligibility for certification occurs when employees reach the full 

performance level. 

 21. Certification in the QA systems skill area will be completed no later 

than 18 months after entering the QATDP. Certification in a commodity skill 

area will be accomplished within 18 months after certification in the QA 

systems skill area. Certification in any additional commodities will be 

accomplished no later than 18 months after the identification of the 

additional commodity. 

 22. Personnel who are certified in a skill area will normally maintain 

certification as long as they maintain an acceptable performance rating and 

perform acceptably in the commodity skill area in which they are certified. 

FLSs will periodically review their employees' skills to assure that their 

employees are not dealing with commodities which require additional training, 

even though they may already be certified in a commodity skill area. 

 23. An individual's certification will be revoked as a result of 

unacceptable performance directly related to either systems or a commodity 

skill area. When performance is determined to be unacceptable, the supervisor 

will initiate action to delete the individual's certification in the 

applicable skill area (may be the QA systems or a commodity skill area). 

Documentation supporting the unacceptable performance will be forwarded to the 

QATDP Panel for review and action as warranted. 

 24. An individual's certification will not be revoked when new requirements 

are identified as mandatory because of a policy change or new item 

assignments. However, all additional courses identified as mandatory will be 

identified as Priority 1, and promptly scheduled for attendance or equivalency 

evaluation. 

 25. Individuals will not lose credit for QA technical development courses 

completed or for which equivalency credit was granted; however, unsatisfactory 

performance, excessive time away from the commodity in question, advances in 

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the technology governing the commodity, or substantive changes in course 

content may require retraining in one or more courses related to system or 

commodity skills. Identification of retraining situations should be the 

purview of both the FLS and applicable employee. Assistance will be provided 

by the QATDP Panel and the cognizant personnel office training coordinator. 

 26. The supervisor will take prompt action to reestablish certification when 

it is determined that the individual is again meeting all program requirements 

and performance is considered acceptable. 

 27. Individuals are not authorized to independently develop contract QA 

requirements or be assigned product conformance/QA functions for specific 

items or duties when certification has been revoked. 

 28. Authorization to execute DD Forms 250 for DFSC field activities will 

only be vested in personnel who have met the following requirements: 

a. Grade GS-9 and above, or assigned military QSRs. 

b. Certified in the applicable systems skill area of the QATDP. 

c. Fully certified in the appropriate commodity skill area(s) which 

includes completion of all training that has been designated by their 

supervisors that is germane to the products/services being tendered by 

contractors for acceptance. 

 29. DFSC FLS will also identify courses as additional Priority 1 

requirements whenever the duties of the employee are changed due to new 

assignments or DLA policy change. 

 30. HQ DFSC may waive these requirements for a period not to exceed twelve 

(12) months where the QAS is considered qualified and there is a necessity to 

keep materiel flowing. Waivers shall be documented and extensions to the 

first 12 month period shall not be granted. HQ DFSC may also waive these 

requirements for assigned military, provided the waiver is for one assigned 

tour only. 

 31. Each ICP shall establish a QATDP Panel. The QATDP Panel is responsible 

for approval of related training and/or previous experience which is 

determined to be equivalent to the courses identified in this directive. For 

specific information regarding equivalency, see the course equivalency section 

of each individual course description. 

 

 32. Administration of DLA equivalency tests is also the responsibility of 

the QATDP Panel. 

 33. Applicable personnel may also be given credit for previous experience 

and related training toward technical development when considered equivalent 

to the prescribed course. Equivalency training may be available through other 

sources such as correspondence courses, vocational schools, community 

colleges, professional societies (e.g. American Society for Quality Control, 

National Contract Management Association) and universities. 

Contractor-furnished training may also be used for equivalent training 

provided it is obtained in accordance with the quidance of DoD 5000.52m and 

DLAR 1430.12. Credit for equivalent training for QATDP courses will be 

determined by using the equivalency guidelines of this directive. DLAM 4155.6 

must be followed when determining training that is equivalent to career 

development courses. 

 34. Experienced QA personnel may complete an equivalency test when available 

for course credit rather than attend the formal training course. 

 35. Individuals may receive equivalency credit by the following methods: 

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a. Successful completion of an equivalent course as determined by using 

the criteria in paragraph 38. 

b. Experience in the skill area which is directly related to the 

material covered in the prescribed QATDP course as determined by using the 

criteria of paragraph 38. 

c. Successful completion of the final course examination, under 

controlled conditions, when used as an equivalency test. 

d. Combination of the above methods. 

 36. Each equivalency will stand on its own merit on a case-by-case basis, 

with the exception that prerequisites for the course in which equivalency is 

being sought do not have to be completed since prerequisites are intended to 

assist personnel who will actually attend the QATDP course. 

 37. Requests for equivalency training and/or experience approval shall be 

submitted by the FLS to the QATDP Panel. All requests for course 

equivalencies will be reviewed by the appropriate commodity technical advisor, 

engineer, or course instructor who will recommend approval/disapproval to the 

QATDP Panel. 

 38. In determining if a course is equivalent to a prescribed course, the 

following criteria will be used: 

a. Length of course. 

b. Course content. 

c. Currency of subject matter. 

d. Scope and range of subject. 

 39. The following guidelines should be used when approving equivalent 

training based upon experience: 

a. Experience in the related skill area encompasses the latest 

technological development or change included in the course curriculum. 

b. Has at least one (1) year of hands-on experience in the skill area in 

which certification is being sought. 

c. The individual's technical expertise and knowledge would not be 

enhanced by attending the prescribed course. The degree to which significant 

knowledge can be gained by attending a course should be taken into account 

before expending resources. 

 40. An approved equivalency test may be used in combination with the above; 

as the sole basis for granting equivalency; or as an arbitration tool if 

equivalency has been disapproved. Individuals will be notified of all 

approvals and disapprovals concerning both equivalency requests and 

certification requests. Disapprovals will include a rationale. 

 41. Administration of training within DLA will be conducted so as to achieve 

optimal technical training responsive to Center needs. 

 42. The need for courses will be determined by MMLXQ through inputs from 

MMLXQ Teams, Military Services, PLFAs and other customers. 

15
 43. When a training need is identified, MMLXQ will conduct a review and 

analysis to determine the type of instruction needed and the sources 

available. If a source is not available and the decision is made to conduct 

training in-house, MMLXQ will designate a SME who will be responsible for the 

development of the course POI. The SME will solicit input for the course from 

all affected organizations. The SME will coordinate the development of 

instructors for the course. 

 44. PLFAs will schedule and conduct onsite training courses and arrange for 

DLA instructors, DCPSO or contractors to conduct the training, as applicable. 

PLFAs will also arrange for course delivery by local colleges or universities. 

 45. Course feedback concerning the adequacy of POIs, instructors, and 

facilities, including recommendations for improvement or requirements for new 

courses, will be provided to MMLXQ. 

 46. An annual review of courses will be conducted to ensure that courses are 

both current and adequate. 

 47. Course presentations and course feedback will be audited by SMEs to 

ensure program objectives are being met. 

F. RESPONSIBILITIES

..

 1. The Executive Director, Human Resources, CAH, will administer and 

evaluate employee development and training plans and policies to assure that 

DLA-wide training needs for required skills are met. 

 2. MMLXQ is the office of primary responsibility (OPR) for all 

certification requirements and will: 

 a. Serve as a final approval body for prioritizing training projects, 

incorporating changes due to DoD/DLA policy, certification program course 

additions, modifications, or deletions within this Program. 

 b. Provide staff supervision over the implementation and operation of the 

program.

 c. Review input concerning need for training and determine applicability, 

feasibility, validity, and duplication of existing courses. 

 d. Monitor all approved courses from the point of view of professional 

quality, currency of subject matter, and effectiveness. 

 e. Coordinate the development of a course and POI for new proposed QATDP 

courses. 

 f. Coordinate with an established source for training. 

 g. Validate all new POIs for format, purpose, and desired learning 

objectives and coordinate with PLFAs, customers, and Military Services, as 

appropriate. 

 h. Coordinate the initial presentation of any new or major revised course 

for PLFA/DCPSO instructors. 

 i. Conduct an annual review of all courses. 

 j. Obtain feedback on courses to use in review process. 

 k. Assess compliance to the requirements of this directive. 

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 l. Designate an SME for applicable courses. 

 3. Inventory Control Point Commanders will: 

 a. Assume responsibility for the management of the program at the ICP. 

 b. Assign a high level priority to fulfillment of training requirements 

and authorize appropriate funds in support of this objective. 

 4. The Inventory Control Point will: 

 a. Implement and effectively manage the program as required by this 

manual. 

 b. Identify to MMLXQ the need for new training course development and the 

revision of training courses which are no longer current or adequate. 

 c. Develop commodity specific courses as identified by MMLXQ. 

 d. Establish a Center QATDP Panel. Members of the QATDP Panel will 

consist of the Senior Quality Assurance Staff member (or designated 

representative) who will serve as chairperson; the Chief, Career Development 

Division of the Civilian Personnel Office (CPO) servicing the ICP or his or 

her representative; and other members as required. A representative from the 

local union organization will be invited to attend all panel meetings. 

 e. Prepare DLA Form 1385, Quality Assurance Certification, for 

presentation to the individual. The completed DLA Form 1385 will be presented 

to the PLFA Commander and QATDP Panel Chair for signature to provide 

appropriate recognition of the individuals accomplishments. A certification 

form will be issued for each system or commodity skill area. 

 f. Complete DLA Form 1538, Request for Certificate of Quality Assurance 

Certification, and submit for inclusion in the individuals official personnel 

folder. 

 g. Prepare onsite training schedules and provide a copy to MMLXQ. 

 h. Prepare and input data into the on-line DBMS Training Application as 

necessary. 

 i. Coordinate arrangements to support course delivery at their location. 

 j. Provide for cost effective implementation of the QATDP. 

 l. Insure the DBMS contains accurate timely information on the training 

and certification status of all employees performing product 

conformance/quality assurance functions. 

 n. Review analyze, and monitor QATDP data products. 

 o. Survey for, obtain, and make distribution of space allocations for 

Service School training.

 5. The QATDP Panel will: 

 a. Meet formally at the discretion of the panel chairperson, 

 b. Review certification applications and approve individuals for 

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certification when they meet the requirements. Formal documentation of panel 

decisions will be provided to QA personnel who are affected. 

 c. Review course descriptions for related training sources and approve or 

disapprove crediting such training for equivalency. The type and availability 

of courses which can be considered equivalent varies from activity to 

activity. 

 d. Maintain a list of courses which have been determined to be equivalent 

to QATDP courses. 

 e. Review previous experience documentation and approve or disapprove 

substitution of the experience for the required training. 

 f. Administer final examinations as equivalency tests when applicable. 

 g. Provide notification to employees of disapprovals of requests for 

course equivalency and certification. 

 h. Review and take action on all cases of revocation of certification. 

 i. Resolve problems. The panel shall have the final word at the ICP 

concerning resolution of problems. Problems that could impact the overall 

QATDP will be referred to MMLX for action. 

 j. Distribute course equivalency information as appropriate. 

 6. The SMEs will: 

 a. Develop the technical content of the POI to include practical 

exercises and examinations. Each course POI must contain a formal evaluation 

of the student's ability to learn the skills specified by the course’s 

learning objectives. 

 b. Determine course prerequisites. 

 c. Conduct initial course presentation to PLFA/DCPSO instructors for 

course validation. 

 d. Review recommended changes and revise/update the technical content of 

POIs, as appropriate. 

 e. Review the technical content of non-DMET courses taught by the 

Military Services and validate the need for these courses in the QATDP on an 

annual basis. 

 f. Evaluate course feedback for all certification courses (DLA and 

non-DLA). 

 g. Identify the need for new training courses. 

 h. Seek alternate training sources. 

 7. ICP FLSs will: 

 a. Identify training and career development needs of subordinate 

personnel to provide for the required skills, knowledge, and abilities in 

order to perform their duties. Particular attention must be given to 

identifying the additional training requirements which are over and above 

those prescribed by Policy Paragraph 13. FLSs will assure that all personnel 

are entered into the QATDP immediately upon assignment to QA functions 

organization by on-line review of the DBMS. 

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 b. Review and discuss technical development requirements and status with 

subordinates. 

 c. Obtain a training summary for each assigned QA employee to aid in the 

assignment process. 

 d. Assure that QA Personnel are provided with a sufficient amount of 

hands on experience to demonstrate commodity or related technical skills that 

will enable them to perform satisfactorily. 

 e. Assure that all technical development training requirements are 

incorporated in each employee's Personnel Master Record Report. 

 f. Review and analyze data products. 

 g. Assist subordinate personnel in the development of requests for 

equivalencies for training courses. 

 h. Determine appropriate commodity skill area(s) for subordinate 

personnel and submit changes as they occur. 

 i. Initiate action to change an employee's certification code when the 

employee has not worked in the skill area for more than 12 months. 

 j. Initiate action to revoke an employee's certification when an 

employee's unsatisfactory performance is directly related to a commodity skill 

area deficiency. 

8. QA Personnel will: 

 a. Prepare, review, and submit course application forms. Provide 

evidence of completion of training to their supervisor upon return to their 

duty station. 

 b. Review and discuss technical development requirements and status with 

the FLS. 

 c. Prepare and submit to their FLS requests for equivalencies for 

training courses. 

 d. Notify their FLS of specialized technical development training 

requirements not previously identified but required by current item 

assignments. 

 e. Identify training needs to their supervisors as the need arises. 

G. EFFECTIVE DATE AND IMPLEMENTATION

 1. This directive is effective and shall be implemented upon publication in 

the DLAPS CD-ROM. 

 2. The Executive Director, Supply Management Policy, HQ DLA, may issue 

instructions as an aid to implementation of this directive. 

 3. Supplementation of this directive is authorized; however, 

supplementation must not conflict with the content of this directive. 

Supplemental documents shall be submitted for approval to HQ DLA, ATTN: MMLXQ 

prior to publication. 

H. INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS 

 1. The QATDP is an on-line training application integrated into the Defense 

Business Management System (DBMS). 

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 2. Data required by this directive will be entered by the FLS into the DBMS 

training application in accordance with instructions in DLAM 4745.12 Volume 

VI, Part 8. 

 3. Training needs and accomplishments will be identified and included in 

each employee’s Personnel Master Record of the DBMS. 

 4. Updates, requests for reports and inquiries to the DBMS are made via 

terminals that access the PLFA's minicomputer. Disclosure outside of DoD ` 

requires prior approval from MMLXQ. Within DoD, this information may only be 

disclosed to the individual to whom the information relates and to individuals 

who need to know such information for the performance of their assigned 

duties. 

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