46.404 Government contract quality assurance for acquisitions at or below the simplified acquisition threshold
Source: FAR 46.404 on acquisition.gov
For contracts at or below the simplified acquisition threshold, quality assurance requirements are generally minimal but must be increased for critical or high-risk items.
Overview
FAR 46.404 outlines the requirements for government contract quality assurance (QA) for acquisitions at or below the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT). The regulation directs contracting officers to tailor the type and extent of QA based on the criticality of the supplies or services, potential losses, and the ease of replacing defective work. Generally, inspections for these contracts are less rigorous, focusing on basic attributes such as type, quantity, damage, operability, and packaging. However, special situations—such as contracts for critical items or those with higher risk—may require more detailed QA measures, including standard or higher-level inspection requirements. The regulation also allows for reduced inspection frequency when a contractor has a proven history of defect-free performance on repetitive purchases.
(a) In determining the type and extent of Government contract quality assurance to be required for contracts at or below the simplified acquisition threshold, the contracting officer shall consider the criticality of application of the supplies or services, the amount of possible losses, and the likelihood of uncontested replacement of defective work (see 46.202-2).
(b) When the conditions in 46.202-2(b) apply, the following policies shall govern:
(1) Unless a special situation exists, the Government shall inspect contracts at or below the simplified acquisition threshold at destination and only for type and kind; quantity; damage; operability (if readily determinable); and preservation, packaging, packing, and marking, if applicable.
(2) Special situations may require more detailed quality assurance and the use of a standard inspection or higher-level contract quality requirement. These situations include those listed in 46.402 and contracts for items having critical applications.
(3) Detailed Government inspection may be limited to those characteristics that are special or likely to cause harm to personnel or property. When repetitive purchases of the same item are made from the same manufacturer with a history of defect-free work, Government inspection may be reduced to a periodic check of occasional purchases.