---
kind: "section"
citation: "48 C.F.R. § 246.402"
title: "48"
number: "246.402"
heading: "Government contract quality assurance at source."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/48/246.402"
---

# §246.402. Government contract quality assurance at source.


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

[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

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

### Source

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

### Amendments

[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]