9.203 QPL’s, QML’s, and QBL’s
Source: FAR 9.203 on acquisition.gov
Qualification and listing in QPLs, QMLs, or QBLs is a pre-acquisition process ensuring only compliant products, manufacturers, or offerors are eligible for certain government contracts.
Overview
FAR 9.203 outlines the process and requirements for qualification and listing in Qualified Products Lists (QPLs), Qualified Manufacturers Lists (QMLs), and Qualified Bidders Lists (QBLs). These lists identify products, manufacturers, or offerors that have demonstrated compliance with specific standards through examination and testing, typically before any acquisition action. The section details where specifications requiring qualified products can be found (such as the GSA Index and the DOD ASSIST website) and references key manuals and procedures for qualification. It also provides sources for obtaining relevant publications and instructions for qualification procedures, ensuring that contractors and contracting officers know where to find and how to comply with qualification requirements.
(a) Qualification and listing in a QPL, QML, or QBL is the process by which products are obtained from manufacturers or distributors, examined and tested for compliance with specification requirements, or manufacturers or potential offerors, are provided an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities to meet the standards specified for qualification. The names of successful products, manufacturers, or potential offerors are included on lists evidencing their status. Generally, qualification is performed in advance and independently of any specific acquisition action. After qualification, the products, manufacturers, or potential offerors are included in a Federal or Military QPL, QML, or QBL. (See 9.202(a)(2) with regard to any product, manufacturer, or potential offeror not yet included on an applicable list.)
(b) Specifications requiring a qualified product are included-
(1) In the GSA Index of Federal Specifications, Standards and Commercial Item Descriptions; and
(2) On the Department of Defense Acquisition Streamlining and Standardization Information System (ASSIST) website at https://assist.dla.mil" target="_blank">https://assist.dla.mil.
(c) Instructions concerning qualification procedures are included in the following publications:
(1) Federal Standardization Manual, FSPM-0001.
(2) Department of Defense Manual 4120.24, Defense Standardization Program (DSP) Procedures, ( http://www.esd.whs.mil/Directives/Issuances/dodm" target="_blank">www.esd.whs.mil/Directives/Issuances/dodm ) as amended by Military Standards 961 and 962 ( https://assist.dla.mil" target="_blank">https://assist.dla.mil ).
(d) The publications in paragraphs (b)(1) and (c)(1) of this section may be obtained from the address in 11.201(d)(1).