FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 46: Quality Assurance › Subpart 46.4
FAR 46.405 Subcontracts.
The codified text (eCFR, as of 2026-10-02). Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul ↗, agencies follow class deviations with new text for many parts while the formal rules go through the Federal Register: check the solicitation and your contract's clauses, which rule.
In plain English
This section explains when the Government will perform quality assurance at the subcontractor level rather than relying on the prime contractor. It matters because it sets the conditions for Government inspection of subcontracted work and clarifies that such actions do not change the prime contractor's responsibilities or create a direct Government-subcontractor relationship.
Applies to: Prime contractors with subcontracted supplies or services under Government contracts
What it requires
- When appropriate, the prime contractor shall be requested to arrange for timely Government access to the subcontractor facility.
Key terms: Government contract quality assurance · subcontractor · prime contractor · contract administration office · inspection at source
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
(a) Government contract quality assurance on subcontracted supplies or services shall be performed only when required in the Government's interest. The primary purpose is to assist the contract administration office cognizant of the prime contractor's plant in determining the conformance of subcontracted supplies or services with contract requirements or to satisfy one or more of the factors included in (b) below. It does not relieve the prime contractor of any responsibilities under the contract. When appropriate, the prime contractor shall be requested to arrange for timely Government access to the subcontractor facility.
(b) The Government shall perform quality assurance at the subcontract level when—
(1) The item is to be shipped from the subcontractor's plant to the using activity and inspection at source is required;
(2) The conditions for quality assurance at source are applicable (see 46.402);
(3) The contract specifies that certain quality assurance functions, which can be performed only at the subcontractor's plant, are to be performed by the Government; or
(4) It is otherwise required by the contract or determined to be in the Government's interest.
(c) Supplies or services for which certificates, records, reports, or similar evidence of quality are available at the prime contractor's plant shall not be inspected at the subcontractor's plant, except occasionally to verify this evidence or when required under (b) above.
(d) All oral and written statements and contract terms and conditions relating to Government quality assurance actions at the subcontract level shall be worded so as not to—
(1) Affect the contractual relationship between the prime contractor and the Government, or between the prime contractor and the subcontractor;
(2) Establish a contractual relationship between the Government and the subcontractor; or
(3) Constitute a waiver of the Government's right to accept or reject the supplies or services.
Sections it refers to
- 46.402 Government contract quality assurance at source.
← 46.404 Government contract quality assurance for acquisitions at or below the simplified acquisition threshold. · 46.406 Foreign governments. →
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.