Q-1B.pdf

This document is a Procurement Quality Requirements specification from NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC), approved March 2, 2026.

The document establishes mandatory procurement standards for electronic parts and supplier quality management. For electronic parts procurement, suppliers must source components exclusively from the original manufacturer, authorized dealers, or suppliers obtaining parts directly from original manufacturers or authorized dealers. All electronic parts must be accompanied by full traceability documentation back to the original manufacturer or authorized distributor and an OEM or Authorized Distributor Certificate of Conformance verifying authenticity and compliance. When required parts are unavailable from authorized sources, procurement is permitted from NASA-identified or contractor-approved suppliers under specified conditions, including contractor assumption of full responsibility for part authenticity, mandatory inspection and authentication, maintenance of traceability information with date codes and serial numbers, and NASA review and audit of contractor-approved suppliers. If a supplier suspects or discovers counterfeit electronic parts, notification to the prime contractor is required immediately, with prime contractor notification to NASA in writing within 30 calendar days of discovery or suspicion. The counterfeit prevention requirements must flow down unaltered to all subcontractors and commercial product/service providers.

The document also prohibits four hazardous materials: mercury liquid (due to toxicity and joint penetration risks), polyvinyl chloride (due to hazardous outgassing), pure tin plated parts or hardware, and nylon materials. Prime suppliers must employ competent and qualified personnel for aircraft parts handling and maintain quality management systems such as AS9100, AS9120, ISO 9001, AS5553, or AS6081. NASA AFRC monitors supplier performance through multiple systems including the Supplier Assessment System, Government-Industry Data Exchange Program, and Procurement Quality Assurance Database. Contractors must retain records according to Federal Acquisition Regulation subpart 4.7.