52.246-1
Contractor Inspection Requirements
Contractors must proactively inspect and test all deliverables to ensure compliance, as their inspection obligations take precedence over government inspections unless otherwise specified.
Overview
FAR 52.246-1, Contractor Inspection Requirements, establishes that the contractor is fully responsible for conducting all inspections and tests necessary to ensure that supplies or services provided under the contract meet all specified requirements. This includes verifying compliance with technical requirements and manufacturer specifications. The clause clarifies that the contractor's inspection obligations take precedence over any government inspection or testing, except where the contract specifically assigns certain specialized inspections or tests to the government. The intent is to ensure contractors proactively manage quality assurance and do not rely solely on government oversight.
Key Rules
- Contractor Responsibility for Inspection and Testing
- Contractors must perform or arrange all necessary inspections and tests to confirm compliance with contract requirements, including technical and manufacturer specifications.
- Precedence Over Government Inspection
- The contractor's inspection responsibilities override government inspection and testing, except for specialized inspections/tests explicitly assigned to the government in the contract.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Ensure the clause is included in applicable contracts and clarify any specialized government inspection roles.
- Contractors: Implement and document inspection and testing processes to verify compliance with all contract requirements.
- Agencies: Specify any specialized inspections/tests to be performed by the government in the contract.
Practical Implications
- This clause exists to place primary quality assurance responsibility on the contractor, reducing reliance on government inspection.
- Contractors must have robust inspection and testing procedures in place and cannot assume government inspection will catch deficiencies.
- Common pitfalls include inadequate inspection documentation or misunderstanding the precedence of contractor versus government inspections.