Q-1B.pdf

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

Section B establishes counterfeit prevention requirements for electronic parts procurement. Suppliers must obtain electronic parts exclusively from original manufacturers, authorized dealers, or suppliers working directly with authorized sources. All electronic parts must be accompanied by full traceability documentation back to the original manufacturer or authorized distributor and an OEM or Authorized Distributor's Certificate of Conformance verifying authenticity and compliance. If required parts are unavailable from these sources, procurement may proceed from NASA-identified or contractor-approved suppliers under specified conditions: the contractor assumes full responsibility for part authenticity, performs inspection and testing, maintains traceability information including date codes and serial numbers, and provides this documentation to NASA upon request. All contractor-approved suppliers are subject to NASA review and audit. The document requires suppliers to immediately notify the prime contractor of any suspected counterfeit parts, with the prime contractor notifying NASA in writing within 30 calendar days.

The Procurement Quality Assurance Terms and Conditions require prime suppliers to ensure competent and qualified personnel handle all aircraft parts. Suppliers must flow down NASA AFRC quality requirements to sub-tier suppliers and maintain or ensure sub-tier suppliers have certified quality management systems (AS9100, AS9120, ISO 9001, AS5553, or AS6081). NASA AFRC will monitor external provider performance through the Supplier Assessment System, GIDEP, ERAI, non-conformance reports, and the Procurement Quality Assurance Database. Contractors must retain records per FAR subpart 4.7. The document also lists prohibited materials due to hazard avoidance concerns: mercury liquid, polyvinyl chloride, pure tin plated parts, and nylon materials.