General
Government contract quality assurance must be planned, documented, and performed at designated times and places to ensure contract compliance, with clear procedures for inspection, documentation, and oversight.
Overview
FAR 46.401 outlines the general requirements for government contract quality assurance (QA). It mandates that QA activities be conducted at appropriate times and locations—including subcontractor facilities—to ensure supplies or services meet contract requirements. Quality assurance surveillance plans should be developed alongside the statement of work, specifying both the work to be surveilled and the methods used. Contracts must clearly state where the government reserves the right to perform QA. If QA is to be performed at the source, any change in location requires contracting officer approval. When inspection occurs away from the delivery destination, reinspection at destination is generally limited to checking for quantity, transit damage, or fraud. All government inspections must be performed or supervised by government personnel and documented according to agency procedures. Agencies may use stamps to indicate inspection status and control materials.