FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 9: Contractor Qualifications › Subpart 9.2
FAR 9.203 QPL's, QML's, and QBL's.
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 qualification and listing on a Qualified Products List (QPL), Qualified Manufacturers List (QML), or Qualified Bidders List (QBL) is a process where products, manufacturers, or potential offerors are examined and tested to show they meet specified standards. It matters because qualification generally happens in advance and separately from a specific acquisition, and the names of those who qualify are placed on federal or military lists. The section also points to where specifications requiring a qualified product and the related qualification procedures are published.
Applies to: Products, manufacturers, and potential offerors seeking qualification and listing on a QPL, QML, or QBL
Key terms: QPL · QML · QBL · qualification · qualified product
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
(a) Qualification and listing in a QPL, QML, or QBL is the process by which products are obtained from manufacturers or distributors, examined and tested for compliance with specification requirements, or manufacturers or potential offerors, are provided an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities to meet the standards specified for qualification. The names of successful products, manufacturers, or potential offerors are included on lists evidencing their status. Generally, qualification is performed in advance and independently of any specific acquisition action. After qualification, the products, manufacturers, or potential offerors are included in a Federal or Military QPL, QML, or QBL. (See 9.202(a)(2) with regard to any product, manufacturer, or potential offeror not yet included on an applicable list.)
(b) Specifications requiring a qualified product are included—
(1) In the GSA Index of Federal Specifications, Standards and Commercial Item Descriptions; and
(2) On the Department of Defense Acquisition Streamlining and Standardization Information System (ASSIST) website at https://assist.dla.mil.
(c) Instructions concerning qualification procedures are included in the following publications:
(1) Federal Standardization Manual, FSPM-0001.
(2) Department of Defense Manual 4120.24, Defense Standardization Program (DSP) Procedures, (www.esd.whs.mil/Directives/Issuances/dodm) as amended by Military Standards 961 and 962 (https://assist.dla.mil).
(d) The publications in paragraphs (b)(1) and (c)(1) of this section may be obtained from the address in 11.201(d)(1).
← 9.202 Policy. · 9.204 Responsibilities for establishment of a qualification requirement. →
Rule changes for FAR Part 9
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 9, 27, and 47 ↗ · proposed 2026-09-18 · comments due 2026-10-19
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Prohibition on Certain Semiconductor Products and Services ↗ · proposed 2026-02-17 · comments due 2026-04-20
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · final rule 2025-08-27 · effective 2025-10-01
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition ↗ · proposed 2025-01-15 · comments due 2025-03-17
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Controlled Unclassified Information ↗ · proposed 2025-01-15 · comments due 2025-03-17
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate-Related Financial Risk ↗ · proposed 2025-01-13
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Improving Consistency Between Procurement and Nonprocurement Procedures on Suspension and Debarment ↗ · final rule 2025-01-03 · effective 2025-01-17
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Certification of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses ↗ · final rule 2024-12-16 · effective 2024-12-16
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.