[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 23, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 23CFR637.203]

[Page 211]
 
                           TITLE 23--HIGHWAYS
 
 CHAPTER I--FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 637--CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION AND APPROVAL--Table of Contents
 
        Subpart B--Quality Assurance Procedures for Construction
 
Sec. 637.203  Definitions.

    Acceptance program. All factors that comprise the State 
transportation department's (STD) determination of the quality of the 
product as specified in the contract requirements. These factors include 
verification sampling, testing, and inspection and may include results 
of quality control sampling and testing.
    Independent assurance program. Activities that are an unbiased and 
independent evaluation of all the sampling and testing procedures used 
in the acceptance program. Test procedures used in the acceptance 
program which are performed in the STD's central laboratory would not be 
covered by an independent assurance program.
    Proficiency samples. Homogeneous samples that are distributed and 
tested by two or more laboratories. The test results are compared to 
assure that the laboratories are obtaining the same results.
    Qualified laboratories. Laboratories that are capable as defined by 
appropriate programs established by each STD. As a minimum, the 
qualification program shall include provisions for checking test 
equipment and the laboratory shall keep records of calibration checks.
    Qualified sampling and testing personnel. Personnel who are capable 
as defined by appropriate programs established by each STD.
    Quality assurance. All those planned and systematic actions 
necessary to provide confidence that a product or service will satisfy 
given requirements for quality.
    Quality control. All contractor/vendor operational techniques and 
activities that are performed or conducted to fulfill the contract 
requirements.
    Random sample. A sample drawn from a lot in which each increment in 
the lot has an equal probability of being chosen.
    Vendor. A supplier of project-produced material that is not the 
contractor.
    Verification sampling and testing. Sampling and testing performed to 
validate the quality of the product.