[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 48, Volume 1]

[Revised as of October 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 48CFR46]



[Page 869]

 

            TITLE 48--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM

 

                CHAPTER 1--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION

 

PART 46_QUALITY ASSURANCE--Table of Contents

 

           Subpart 46.4_Government Contract Quality Assurance

 

46.405  Subcontracts.



    (a) Government contract quality assurance on subcontracted supplies 

or services shall be performed only when required in the Government's 

interest. The primary purpose is to assist the contract administration 

office cognizant of the prime contractor's plant in determining the 

conformance of subcontracted supplies or services with contract 

requirements or to satisfy one or more of the factors included in (b) 

below. It does not relieve the prime contractor of any responsibilities 

under the contract. When appropriate, the prime contractor shall be 

requested to arrange for timely Government access to the subcontractor 

facility.

    (b) The Government shall perform quality assurance at the 

subcontract level when--

    (1) The item is to be shipped from the subcontractor's plant to the 

using activity and inspection at source is required;

    (2) The conditions for quality assurance at source are applicable 

(see 46.402);

    (3) The contract specifies that certain quality assurance functions, 

which can be performed only at the subcontractor's plant, are to be 

performed by the Government; or

    (4) It is otherwise required by the contract or determined to be in 

the Government's interest.

    (c) Supplies or services for which certificates, records, reports, 

or similar evidence of quality are available at the prime contractor's 

plant shall not be inspected at the subcontractor's plant, except 

occasionally to verify this evidence or when required under (b) above.

    (d) All oral and written statements and contract terms and 

conditions relating to Government quality assurance actions at the 

subcontract level shall be worded so as not to--

    (1) Affect the contractual relationship between the prime contractor 

and the Government, or between the prime contractor and the 

subcontractor;

    (2) Establish a contractual relationship between the Government and 

the subcontractor; or

    (3) Constitute a waiver of the Government's right to accept or 

reject the supplies or services.



[48 FR 42415, Sept. 19, 1983, as amended at 60 FR 34760, July 3, 1995]