GOVERNMENT FIRST ARTICLE TEST

The Defense Logistics Agency awarded Contract SPE4A726C0084 to Mills Manufacturing Corporation, CAGE 02693, for a total value of $2,781,665.00, with an award date of May 21, 2026, under Solicitation SPE4A7-26-R-0376. The contract encompasses the provision of a harness assembly and associated first article test items, with delivery and acceptance requirements specified at the contractor’s facility in Asheville, North Carolina, and final delivery to the DLA Distribution facility in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. The contract includes a firm-fixed-price structure with no option periods or flexible quantities, and all items must comply with stringent packaging standards per MIL-STD-2073-1E and MIL-STD-129, including designated container types, unique marking codes, shelf life of 21 years, and 2D Data Matrix barcoding on all packaging levels. First Article Test samples are explicitly labeled to prevent stock posting and require prominent identification with contract details. The contractor is responsible for maintaining a quality management system consistent with ISO 9001:2015 and ensuring full adherence to inspection and acceptance protocols governed by FAR 52.246-2 and 52.246-3, with final Government inspection and acceptance occurring at origin. Production Lot Testing follows ANSI/ASQC Z1.4-2008, Level S-2 sampling, and all deliveries must include a DD Form 250 or equivalent WAWF-generated receiving report. Compliance is mandated with multiple Federal Acquisition Regulation clauses addressing cybersecurity, including safeguarding Controlled Unclassified Information under DFARS 252.204-7012 with required cyber incident reporting to DIBNet and submission of malware samples to DC3. Additional clauses require adherence to anti-kickback provisions, prohibition of payments to influence federal transactions, restrictions on subcontracting with debarred entities or state sponsors of terrorism, and mandatory use of electronic funds transfer via SAM for payments. Accelerated payments to small business subcontractors are required, and all invoicing must be submitted through Wide Area WorkFlow. The contract also incorporates provisions for the utilization of Indian organizations and Native Hawaiian small business concerns, tax handling, interest accrual, and assignment of claims, with deviations applied to several reporting and representation clauses. Packaging and labeling requirements include specific codes for unit, intermediate,