ATTACHMENT 8 - FAT (Contractor Testing).docx

ATTACHMENT #8 - FIRST ARTICLE TEST (CONTRACTOR TESTING)

(a) The first article shall consist of:

-1-which shall be examined and tested in accordance with contract requirements, the item specifications, Quality Assurance Provisions (QAPS) and all drawings listed in the Technical Data Package.

(b) The first article shall be representative of items to be manufactured using the same processes and procedures and at the same facility as contract production. All parts and materials, including packaging and packing, shall be obtained from the same source of supply as will be used during regular production. All components, subassemblies, and assemblies in the first article sample shall have been produced by the Contractor (including subcontractors) using the technical data package provided by the Government.

(c) The first article shall be inspected and tested by the contractor for all requirements of the drawing(s), the QAP(s), and specification(s) referenced thereon, except for:

(1) Inspections and tests contained in material specifications provided that the required inspection and tests have been performed previously and certificates of conformance are submitted with the First Article Test Report.

(2) Inspections and tests for Military Standard (MS) components and parts provided that inspection and tests have been performed previously and certifications for the components and parts are submitted with the First Article Test Report.

(3) Corrosion resistance tests over 10 days in length provided that a test specimen or sample representing the same process has successfully passed the same test within 30 days prior to processing the first article, and results of the tests are submitted with the First Article Test Report.

(4) Life cycle tests over 10 days in length provided that the same or similar items manufactured using the same processes have successfully passed the same test within 1 year prior to processing the first article and results of the tests are submitted with the First Article Test Report.

(5) Onetime qualification tests, which are defined as a onetime on the drawing(s), provided that the same or similar item manufactured using the same processes has successfully passed the tests, and results of the test are on file at the contractor’s facility and certifications are submitted with the First Article Test Report.

(d) Those inspections which are of a destructive nature shall be performed upon additional sample parts selected from the same lot(s) or batch(es) from which the first article was selected.

(e) A First Article Test Report shall be compiled by the contractor documenting the results of all inspections and tests (including supplier’s and Vendor’s inspection records and certifications, when applicable). The First Article Test Report shall include actual inspection and test results to include all measurements, recorded test data, and certifications (if applicable) keyed to each drawing, specification and QAP requirement and identified by each individual QAP characteristic, drawing/specification characteristic and unlisted characteristic. The Government Quality Assurance Representative’s (QAR) findings shall be documented on DD Form 1222, Request for and Results of Tests, and attached to the contractor’s test report. Two copies of the First Article Test Report and the DD Form 1222 will be submitted through the Administrative Contracting Officer to the Contracting Officer with an additional information copy furnished to -2- .

(f) Notwithstanding the provisions for waiver of first article, an additional first article sample or portion thereof, may be ordered by the Contracting Officer in writing when (i) a major change is made to the technical data, (ii) whenever there is a lapse in production for a period in excess of 90 days, or (iii) Whenever a change occurs in place of performance, manufacturing process, material used, drawing, specification or source of supply. When conditions (i), (ii), or (iii) above occurs, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer so that a determination can be made concerning the need for the additional first article sample or portion thereof, and instructions provided concerning the submission, inspection, and notification of results. Costs of the first article testing resulting from production process change, change in the place of performance, or material substitution shall be borne by the Contractor.