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

FAR 9.303 Use.

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 may require testing and approval of a contractor's product. It applies if the contractor has not previously supplied the product, or if there have been changes, production gaps, or past problems, or if the product is described by a performance specification, or if an approved first article is needed as a manufacturing standard.

Applies to: Contractors whose products may be subject to testing and approval

Key terms: testing and approval · first article · performance specification

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

The text

Testing and approval may be appropriate when—

(a) The contractor has not previously furnished the product to the Government;

(b) The contractor previously furnished the product to the Government, but—

(1) There have been subsequent changes in processes or specifications;

(2) Production has been discontinued for an extended period of time; or

(3) The product acquired under a previous contract developed a problem during its life.

(c) The product is described by a performance specification; or

(d) It is essential to have an approved first article to serve as a manufacturing standard.

← 9.302 General. · 9.304 Exceptions. →

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 9.303 Use · SpendQuery