QA vs QC in Federal Construction: What’s the Difference?

In Short -

QA (Quality Assurance) represents and reports to the Owner.

QC (Quality Control) represents and reports to the General Contractor.

QC - QC builds quality into the project. Checks their own (GC's) work to ensure compliance with contract documents. They provide third party testing where required by specifications. QC does daily inspections for the contractor to ensure work and products comply with contract document requirements. QC manages the submittal log and tracks RFi's, deficiencies, corrective actions, and daily QC reports.

QA- Ensures quality was built correctly — and per contract. Verifies the QC, or GC, is checking their work properly, and verifies QC documentation. QA does not perform or direct contractor testing. QA witnesses, verifies, and validates compliance.

Both parties assume different risk factors in their performance

QC - If the QC fails, there can be costly rework, delays, back charges, and in some cases liquidated damages.

QA- If the QA fails, the owner (often Govt) may be accepting non-compliant work leading catastrophic failure, claims, audit findings, and potentially political exposure.

On federal projects

QC- Is governed by contract clauses and specifications. Throughout Division 01 and specifically 01 45 00 - Quality Control

QA- Authority comes from F.A.R 52.246. Government Inspection Rights, and Resident Engineer authority,

Our philosophy at Aftermath Company views quality as contract compliance, not aesthetic satisfaction. We interpret silence in the specifications as not authorized. All work is performed in strict accordance with governing specifications, referenced standards, and approved submittals. We read specs literally, we understand federal posture, we don't “field engineer” without approval.

Our Motto: Quality is not subjective - Its contractual