Subpart 46.2
Contract Quality Requirements
FAR Subpart 46.2 requires contracting officers to tailor quality requirements to each contract based on risk, complexity, and mission needs, ensuring effective quality assurance without unnecessary burden.
Overview
FAR Subpart 46.2, "Contract Quality Requirements," establishes the framework for determining and applying quality requirements to government contracts. It outlines the general principles for ensuring that supplies and services meet specified quality standards, describes the types of contract quality requirements that may be imposed, and provides criteria for selecting appropriate quality requirements based on the nature and complexity of the acquisition. The subpart guides contracting officers in tailoring quality assurance provisions to the needs of each contract, balancing risk, cost, and performance considerations.
Key Rules
- General Principles (46.201)
- Contracting officers must ensure that contracts include quality requirements appropriate to the acquisition, considering the importance of the item or service to the government mission.
- Types of Contract Quality Requirements (46.202)
- Quality requirements can range from simple inspection to more rigorous quality assurance provisions, depending on the contract's complexity and risk.
- Criteria for Use (46.203)
- The selection of quality requirements must be based on factors such as technical complexity, criticality, past performance, and the likelihood of defects affecting performance or safety.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Must assess and specify appropriate quality requirements in each contract, using the criteria provided.
- Contractors: Must comply with the quality requirements specified in the contract, including any inspection, testing, or reporting obligations.
- Agencies: Should provide oversight to ensure quality requirements are effectively implemented and enforced.
Practical Implications
- This subpart ensures that government contracts are structured to achieve the required quality outcomes without unnecessary cost or burden.
- It impacts daily contracting by requiring careful consideration of quality needs and documentation in solicitations and contracts.
- Common pitfalls include over-specifying or under-specifying quality requirements, leading to increased costs or performance failures.