Why Part 46 Matters

Quality assurance determines whether deliverables meet contract requirements and is the basis for acceptance or rejection. Warranty provisions under Subpart 46.7 extend the government's remedies beyond the inspection period. Contractors must maintain adequate quality control systems, and government QARs (Quality Assurance Representatives) conduct surveillance based on the contract's QASP. Nonconforming supplies or services can be rejected, resulting in rework costs, schedule delays, and negative past performance evaluations.

Key Topics in Part 46

FAR Part 46 addresses several critical areas of the federal acquisition process. Understanding these topics is essential for both contracting officers and contractors working within this regulatory framework.

• Inspection and acceptance procedures
• Government quality assurance at source vs. destination (Subpart 46.4)
• Warranty provisions and administration (Subpart 46.7)
• Contractor quality control systems
• Quality Assurance Representatives (QARs)
• Higher-level quality standards (ISO, AS9100)
• Nonconforming supplies and corrective action

How FAR Part 46 Applies

The Federal Acquisition Regulation is organized into 53 parts, each covering a distinct area of the procurement process. Part 46 (Quality Assurance) is part of this framework and works in conjunction with other FAR parts to create a comprehensive regulatory structure. Contracting officers must comply with all applicable parts when executing procurement actions, and contractors must understand the requirements that flow from these regulations into their contracts.

The requirements in Part 46 may be implemented through specific contract clauses prescribed in FAR Part 52. When a clause references Part 46, the substantive requirements originate here, while Part 52 provides the actual clause language incorporated into contracts and solicitations.

Subparts

FAR Part 46 is divided into 8 subparts, each addressing a specific aspect of quality assurance.

• 46.1 — General
• 46.2 — Contract Quality Requirements
• 46.3 — Contract Clauses
• 46.4 — Government Contract Quality Assurance
• 46.5 — Acceptance
• 46.6 — Material Inspection and Receiving Reports
• 46.7 — Warranties
• 46.8 — Contractor Liability for Loss of or Damage to Property of the Government

Reading FAR Part 46

The full text of FAR Part 46 is available on the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The eCFR provides the most current version of the regulation, including any recent amendments published through Federal Acquisition Circulars (FACs). For historical versions, use the eCFR's point-in-time search feature.

• What does FAR Part 46 cover?

  FAR Part 46 covers quality assurance within the federal acquisition process. FAR Part 46 establishes quality assurance policies and procedures for government contracts. It covers government contract quality assurance at source and destination (Subpart 46.4), inspection and acceptance procedures, warranties (Subpart 46.7), and contractor responsibilities for quality control. The level of quality assurance varies by contract type and criticality, from standard inspection clauses to higher-level quality requirements based on technical specifications.

• Who must comply with FAR Part 46?

  FAR Part 46 applies to all executive branch agencies conducting acquisitions, unless a specific exemption exists. Contractors must comply with the requirements that are incorporated into their contracts through prescribed clauses from FAR Part 52. Agency-specific supplements (DFARS, GSAM, etc.) may add additional requirements beyond the base FAR.

• Where can I read the full text of FAR Part 46?

  The full text is available on the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). You can also access it through acquisition.gov, which is maintained by the General Services Administration. Both sources reflect the most current version of the regulation.

• How does FAR Part 46 relate to contract clauses?

  FAR Part 46 establishes the substantive policies and procedures. The actual clause language that gets incorporated into contracts is found in FAR Part 52. Each clause in Part 52 includes a "prescription" that references the relevant policy part, creating a direct link between the requirement and its implementation in the contract.