TO 00-20-14 30 SEPTEMBER 2011 - Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

30 September 2011 TO 00-20-14SECTION 11PROFICIENCY TESTING/MEASUREMENT ASSURANCE PROGRAM(PT/MAP)11.1 PROFICIENCY TESTING/MEASUREMENT ASSURANCE PROGRAM (PT/MAP).PMELs shall be required to complete proficiency testing as directed by AFMETCAL. Proficiency testing results may bebased on PMEL compliance with completion and return of Exchange Standard Intercomparison Data Sheets found in TO33K-2-11, data collected upon PMEL receipt and processing of exchange or transfer standards, or testing performed on aunique measurement artifact. The AFMETCAL Assessment and Certification Program shall consider the results ofproficiency testing as objective evidence, along with Preassessment and on-site assessment findings, of the PMEL’sability to perform competent calibrations.11.1.1 Proficiency Testing on unique artifacts is the process used to assess laboratory performance by means ofcomparing and evaluating calibrations or tests on a measurement artifact. If a PMEL is selected for Proficiency Testingon a unique artifact, paragraphs 11.1.1.1 through 11.1.1.4 will apply. The objective is to assess both the technicalcompetence of laboratory personnel and the PMEL’s measurement capability.11.1.1.1 Measurement artifacts for selected measurement areas shall be distributed to PMELs by the AFPSL based on aschedule determined by AFMETCAL. The number of proficiency tests required of each PMEL annually will varydepending on the availability of measurement artifacts, but shall not exceed six (6) artifacts per PMEL annually.11.1.1.2 Artifact testing shall be scheduled by the AFPSL on behalf of AFMETCAL. PMELs shall be notified in advanceas to the approximate arrival date of the measurement artifact. Instructions for performing the test, reporting results,notifying AFMETCAL and the AFPSL and shipping will be included with the artifact.11.1.1.3 The PMEL shall be required to perform measurements on an artifact using the same calibration methods used tocalibrate customer equipment or methods directed by AFMETCAL. The PMEL shall report results as indicated in thePT/MAP instructions and data sheets provided by AFMETCAL. The PMEL is expected to complete proficiency testingof a measurement artifact within the time allotted in the PT/MAP instructions. The measurement artifact shall not leavethe PMEL unless otherwise directed by the PT/MAP instructions.11.1.1.4 Unless otherwise stated in the PT/MAP instructions, the performance of the proficiency test is judged bycalculating the error, normalized with respect to the uncertainty, of the measurement as follows:Enormal=ValueUncertaintyPMEL2PMEL−Valueref+ UncertaintyWhereE normal = normalized error of the PMELValue PMEL = the value as measured by the PMELValue ref = the value as measured by the AFPSL (reference laboratory)Uncertainty ref = the overall uncertainty of the AFPSL (reference laboratory)Uncertainty PMEL = the overall uncertainty of the PMEL (e.g., Measurement uncertainty that would be provided toa customer)NOTEAll Values and Uncertainties shall be expressed in the same units. To pass the proficiencytest the PMEL shall have a value for E normal less than 1 (e.g., E normal