GLNPO’s Quality Assurance Resources Site for Grantees Supporting the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
GLNPO’s Quality Assurance Resources Site provides tools and guidance for grantees planning projects funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. This page describes the site content, how to obtain access, navigate resources, and submit a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP).
Overview
Contact your Project Officer as soon as possible to discuss:
- the level of quality documentation (QD) required.
- acceptable types of project-level QD.
- critical project dates.
- roles and responsibilities.
- any other project requirements.
Advanced planning and early communication can help streamline the development, review, and approval process.
We recognize that the development, review and approval process for project-level quality documentation may require significant effort. Our goal is to help:
- ensure you and your project benefits from the process.
- increase the scientific rigor of your environmental project.
- make results more transparent, reproducible, and legally defensible.
The ultimate success of an environmental project depends on the quality of the information collected and used in decision-making. The quality of this information may depend significantly on the adequacy of the project-level QD and the effectiveness of its implementation.
A Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) is the most widely used form of QD for EPA assistance agreements. It is a document that provides comprehensive details about the quality assurance, quality control, and technical activities that must be implemented to ensure that project objectives are met. QAPPs should be prepared in accordance with EPA QA/R-5, EPA Requirements for Quality Assurance Project Plans.
EPA quality requirements, per 2 CFR 1500.11 , are defined in Environmental Information Quality Policy - EPA Order CIO 2105.1 supersedes CIO 2105.0, Policy and Program Requirements for the Mandatory Agency-Wide Quality Management System
Supplemental information is contained in EPA Quality Manual for Environmental Programs CIO 2105-P-01-0
Quality Assurance Resources
The Great Lakes National Program Office offers resources and tools for planning and implementing QA in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative projects at a single location online called QA Resources. QA Resources will help you (1) understand the process and requirements; and (2) develop your project-level QD, such as QAPPs. QA Resources is a site for developing QAPPs that provides:
- Presentation on quality assurance topics.
- Training documents and videos.
- Submission portal for QAPPs
Accessing QA Resources
To access the QA Resources Site, you will need credentials for GLNPO.net. Follow these steps to request an account:
- Go to the GLNPO.net account request page (https://login.glnpo.net).
- Select the Sign Up tab.
- Enter your contact details and select QA Resources under Project/Site.
- Click Submit Request. You should receive login credentials within 24 hours.
Navigating the QA Resources Site
- Select QA Resources from the list of applications.
- Refer to the How-to Wiki for instructions on using the site.
- Use the left-side menu to navigate site content.
Submitting a QAPP
Click on GLRI QD Submission from the left-side menu.
Note: QA Resources has two QD Submission Sites: one for Great Lakes Legacy Act and one for GLRI grantees. Be sure to choose the GLRI site.
Click + New Item
- Complete the submission form and attach your QAPP file(s) before saving:
- Use the Attach File button on the top ribbon.
- Select a file, click Ok. Repeat as needed.
- Attached files will appear with a “fakepath” filename.
- Click Save to submit. You will not be able to edit your submission after saving. Confirm all information and attachments before submitting.
- You will receive an automatic email confirming submission. The GLNPO Quality Team and your Project Officer will also receive a notification. Your Project Officer will follow up with the review outcome via email.