§246.402. Government contract quality assurance at source.

48 C.F.R. § 246.402

Do not require Government contract quality assurance at source for contracts or delivery orders valued below $400,000, unless—

(1)

Mandated by DoD regulation;

(2)

Required by a memorandum of agreement between the acquiring department or agency and the contract administration agency; or

(3)

The contracting officer determines that—

(i)

Contract technical requirements are significant (e.g., the technical requirements include drawings, test procedures, or performance requirements);

(ii)

The product being acquired—

(A)

Has critical characteristics;

(B)

Has specific features identified that make Government contract quality assurance at source necessary; or

(C)

Has specific acquisition concerns identified that make Government contract quality assurance at source necessary; and

(iii)

The contract is being awarded to—

(A)

A manufacturer or producer; or

(B)

A non-manufacturer or non-producer and specific Government verifications have been identified as necessary and feasible to perform.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

[70 FR 8543, Feb. 22, 2005, as amended at 75 FR 45074, Aug. 2, 2010; 85 FR 61504, Sept. 29, 2020; 90 FR 41486, Aug. 25, 2025]

Authority: 41 U.S.C. 1303 and 48 CFR chapter 1.

Source: 56 FR 36460, July 31, 1991, unless otherwise noted.

[70 FR 8543, Feb. 22, 2005, as amended at 75 FR 45074, Aug. 2, 2010; 85 FR 61504, Sept. 29, 2020; 90 FR 41486, Aug. 25, 2025]