First_Article_Process.pdf

Page: 1 of 2

This First Article process 13 June 2017

Items that require a first article (FA) follow a distinct process flow in this office.

When a particular national stock number requires a first article, the actual first article will be identified in the schedule of the solicitation.

Upon receipt of a contract which includes a FIRST ARTICLE you should begin your processes and activities associated with the manufacture of the first article

We require that you build 2 each of that national stock number as a first article. Until the first article is approved you are not authorized to procure materials or perform labor associated with the production quantity of a contract, except at your own risk.

Upon award of a contract with a first article, you will be required to develop a first article test plan. This plan should be developed in accordance with the specifications and guidance found in the technical data package for the national stock number that was provided with the solicitation. Once the plan is developed, it must be delivered to the engineering section here at Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex (WR-ALC). This plan should be delivered to WR-ALC in accordance with guidance set forth in the solicitation and any attachments to the solicitation (see DD Form 1423-1’s). Often our engineers want the first article test plan and first article test reports delivered on a CD in PDF format to allow for searching for particular items of interest to them in their review. It should also be sent to the buyer who handled the acquisition. The responsible engineer will review and approve or disapprove the plan. If the plan is rejected, you will be afforded the opportunity to revise the plan to correct deficiencies.

After the first article test plan has been approved, you are authorized to submit a DD250 for the first article test plan, if the first article test plan was separately priced. The same engineering section will approve the DD250 for the first article test plan and you can receive payment.

After you have manufactured the first article, you will perform the first article test in accordance with the procedures detailed in your approved first article test plan. In accordance with guidance found in the contract or any attachments thereto including this document, you must notify the Government of the date and time you intend to perform this test. The engineering section here at Robins and the quality assurance representative from the Defense Contract Management Agency must be advised of this date and time and afforded the opportunity to witness this test. Failure to follow this guidance could render your test and its results invalid. The results of this test will be recorded on your first article test report and submitted to WR-ALC in accordance with guidance set forth in the solicitation and any attachments to the solicitation (see DD Form 1423-1’s). It should also be sent to the buyer who handled the acquisition. The responsible engineer will review and approve or disapprove the first article test report. If the report is rejected, you will be afforded the opportunity to revise the report to correct deficiencies. Of course there is a limit to the number of attempts you will be granted.

Page: 2 of 2

Upon approval of the first article test report you may submit a DD250 for the first article test report, if the first article test report is separately priced, and again acceptance by the Robins engineering section will be annotated on the DD250 and you can receive payment.

Approval of the first article test report constitutes approval of the actual first article. Once you receive notification from the buyer that the first article test report and first article have been approved, you may offer the first article for inspection and acceptance. The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) quality assurance representative (QAR) will perform the inspection and acceptance of the first article.

After this inspection and acceptance of the First Article from the QAR, the First Articles will be retained by the contractor.