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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 9: Contractor Qualifications › Subpart 9.3

FAR 9.302 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 first article testing and approval is used to confirm a contractor can deliver a product that meets all contract acceptance requirements. Before requiring such testing, the contracting officer must consider its impact on cost or delivery time, the risk to the Government if the test is skipped, and whether other less costly quality assurance methods exist.

Applies to: Contracting officers considering first article testing and approval

What it requires

  • Consider the impact on cost or time of delivery before requiring testing and approval
  • Consider the risk to the Government of foregoing such test
  • Consider the availability of other, less costly, methods of ensuring the desired quality

Key terms: first article testing and approval · contracting officer · cost or time of delivery · risk to the Government · less costly methods

Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.

The text

First article testing and approval (hereafter referred to as testing and approval) ensures that the contractor can furnish a product that conforms to all contract requirements for acceptance. Before requiring testing and approval, the contracting officer shall consider the—

(a) Impact on cost or time of delivery;

(b) Risk to the Government of foregoing such test; and

(c) Availability of other, less costly, methods of ensuring the desired quality.

← 9.301 Definition. · 9.303 Use. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 9

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.

FAR 9.302 General · SpendQuery