FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 46: Quality Assurance › Subpart 46.5
FAR 46.501 General.
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 that when the government accepts supplies or services, it generally means they meet the contract's quality and quantity requirements, unless stated otherwise in this subpart or the contract. Acceptance can happen before, at, or after delivery, but normally not before government quality assurance actions are complete. It also describes how acceptance is usually documented.
Applies to: Government acceptance of supplies or services under a contract
What it requires
- Do not expect acceptance before completion of Government contract quality assurance actions, unless an exception applies.
- Ordinarily evidence acceptance by executing an acceptance certificate on an inspection or receiving report form or commercial shipping document/packing list.
Key terms: Acceptance · Government contract quality assurance actions · Acceptance certificate · Inspection or receiving report form · Commercial shipping document/packing list
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
Acceptance constitutes acknowledgment that the supplies or services conform with applicable contract quality and quantity requirements, except as provided in this subpart and subject to other terms and conditions of the contract. Acceptance may take place before delivery, at the time of delivery, or after delivery, depending on the provisions of the terms and conditions of the contract. Supplies or services shall ordinarily not be accepted before completion of Government contract quality assurance actions (however, see 46.504). Acceptance shall ordinarily be evidenced by execution of an acceptance certificate on an inspection or receiving report form or commercial shipping document/packing list.
← 46.408 Single-agency assignments of Government contract quality assurance. · 46.502 Responsibility for acceptance. →
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.