Can a contractor have an approved QC plan without a contract with the Department?

The answer indicating that a contractor cannot have an approved QC plan without a contract with the Department is correct because the Quality Control (QC) plan is inherently linked to specific contracts and projects. Each QC plan is tailored to the requirements and stipulations outlined in the contract with the Department, ensuring it meets the project's unique standards and expectations for quality management.

In order for a QC plan to be approved, it must reflect the details and conditions of the contract, which dictates how quality will be monitored and enforced throughout the duration of the project. Without a contract, there is no formal agreement or guidelines to base the QC plan upon, rendering it ineffective and unrecognized.

Approval processes and requirements may differ depending on the specifics of each contract; hence, having a generic or previously approved QC plan does not suffice in the absence of a contract. It emphasizes the importance of alignment between the QC plan and the contractual obligations.