| Q-l General Quality Practices Q-2 Quality Program Requirements Q-3 Calibration System Requirements Q-4 Order of Precedence Q-5 Purchase Order Flow Down Q-6 Statistical Process Control/Improvement Q-7 Packaging Requirements Q-8 Qualification Lot Q-9 Special Processing Q-10 Certification of Conformance Requirement |
Q-11 Raw Material Certification Q-12 Casting and Forging Certification Q-13 Mercury Prohibition Certification Q-14 Inspection and Test Plan Q-15 First Article Inspection Q-16 TAG Engineering Source Inspection Q-17 Age Control Q-18 DFARS Compliance Q-19 Electrostatic Discharge Sensitive Material |
The Quality Assurance Provisions as specified herein shall become an integral part of the Purchase Agreement when indicated by the provision number(s) on the Purchase Order. These provisions, supplement the presently existing terms and conditions of the Purchasing Agreement. The QAP and can be accessed via the web at http://tagengineering.com/quality_clauses.html . The Subcontractor/Service supplying material and/or service, are requested to review this document and establish and maintain, as required, documented procedures for ensuring the control and compliance of these specified provisions. Subcontractor/Service requiring exceptions to specified provisions must submit a written request to the TAG Engineering Purchasing Agent.
Tag Engineering values relationships that are grounded in a shared commitment to performing in accordance with the highest standards of professional business conduct and encourages all suppliers to implement an effective ethics program, including adopting a written code of conduct. In performance of this Contract, both parties are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the principles expressed the Defense Industry Initiative Model Supplier Code of Conduct available at https://www.dii.org/featured-tools.
Q-l General Quality Practices-Mandatory for all Purchase Orders.
A. Prohibited Practices: Changes to Drawings, Specifications, Processes, Materials and Procedures:
The Subcontractor's Quality system shall provide for procedures assuring the latest applicable drawings and specifications are utilized. Subcontractor shall remove from use all obsolete drawings and specifications with the receipt of new and/or amended documentation. Special processes, materials and procedures, previously approved, utilized by the subcontractor to become a qualified source, shall not be changed without written approval from TAG Engineering.
Material review authority is not permitted on this purchase order. Subcontractors may submit a written request for deviation of the contract requirements. However, formal authorization from the buyer is required before shipping the material.
Unauthorized Repair: Authority for the repair of nonconforming materials is NOT permitted on this P.O.
Re-submittal of Nonconforming Material: Material rejected by TAG Engineering, which, has been returned to conformance and subsequently resubmitted to TAG Engineering for evaluation, shall be clearly identified as such on the shipping documents.
Unauthorized Production Submittal: Subcontractor shall not submit material from a production lot without initial acceptance of a "First Article" inspection when specified by the purchase order.
Notification of Facility Change: The subcontractor shall not utilize or relocate any production, manufacturing and/or processing facility during the performance of this Purchasing Agreement from those which have been previously qualified.
B. On-Site Survey/Inspection: TAG Engineering reserves the right to conduct on-site survey/inspection(s), for the evaluation of processing capabilities, adequate quality systems and assurance of continuous compliance to the requirements of the Purchasing Agreement. This survey/inspection may include representatives from TAG Engineering customer base and encompass visiting the subcontractor's sub-tier supplier(s).
C. Conformance to Contractual Requirements: On-site survey/inspection(s), conducted by TAG Engineering or a customer representative, as well as first article and receiving inspections, shall not relieve the subcontractor of the responsibility for furnishing items which compliance to the contractual requirements of the Purchase Order. The Subcontractor is responsible and shall control sub-tier supplier procurement to the extent necessary for ensuring specified quality requirements are satisfied. Documented evidence shall be maintained as validation of this control.
D. Retention of Documentation: The subcontractor shall maintain records substantiating material certification, inspection and test for a minimum period of five (5) years from the close of the contract. These records are subject to TAG Engineering review and must be available at the subcontractor's facility, upon request.
E. Corrective Action: TAG Engineering may request corrective action for quality related issues surfacing from received material, deliverable documentation discrepancies and/or problems associated with material detected further in the process.
Which can be attributed to the subcontractor’s manufacturing practices? At a minimum, the subcontractor's response must include
- Analysis of root cause,
- Action taken to prevent a reoccurrence,
- The date of effectively.
- The signature of an authorized representative.
F. Access to Facilities: Tag Engineering shall have the right of access Supplier’s operations, assist the Supplier in the resolution of Quality problems, witness at any stage (subject to proprietary considerations) the manufacture, processing, test, inspection and all applicable records of items being manufactured for Tag Engineering and the customers of Tag Engineering.
Government Contracts - On items intended for use in Government contracts, the access to the Supplier’s facilities as defined above shall be made available to authorized Government representative(s) upon request.
Q-2 Quality Program Requirements: The subcontractor shall establish and maintain a documented Quality System Program in compliance to one of the following, Military Specification Mil-I-45208 "Inspection System Requirements" or International Standard ISO 9002 "Quality Systems-Model for quality assurance in production and installation". Demonstrated adherence to the Quality System must be evident for the assurance of conformance to specified requirements.
Q-3 Calibration System Requirements: The subcontractor shall establish and maintain a documented calibration program in compliance to the requirements of one of the following, ISO 10012-1, ISO/IEC 17025, or ANSI NCSL Z 540-1-1994.
Q-4 Order of Precedence: In case conflicts occur between the requirements of the purchase order, drawing, referenced specification, statement of work and the enclosed QAP, the purchase order will take precedence. Formal changes to the purchase order require written approval from the TAG Engineering buyer. Original purchase order requirements not modified by the change must be met in full, unless otherwise specified.
Q-5 Purchase Order Flow Down: The subcontractor is responsible to flow down all applicable requirements as well as the necessary documentation (i.e. drawings, referenced specifications, artworks, etc.) to insure contractual adherence, to sub-tier suppliers.
Q-6 Statistical Process Control/Improvement: The subcontractor shall establish and maintain a documented system for the application and implementation of Statistical Techniques for the qualification, measurement, monitoring, control and continuous improvement of critical processes, where appropriate. The subcontractor shall identify key process characteristics and as required, provide objective evidence as to the performance of these indicators. Evidence shall include but not limited to; identification of key characteristic, method of measuring performance, distribution values, CPK level, etc.
Q-7 Packaging Requirements: The subcontractor shall establish and maintain a documented system for the control and monitoring of their packaging and shipping practices. Included will be provisions for handling, preservation, storage, packaging and final shipment. The system must be designed to insure the quality of deliverable material through prevention of damage, deterioration and degradation. Packaging requirements are as stated on the purchase order. When not specified, the method used will be "best commercial practices".
Q-8 Qualification Lot: Proposed subcontractor, as a alternative method for placement onto the Approved Vendors List (AVL), shall manufacture, inspect and test, a qualification lot of material and/or service(s). The qualification lot shall be produced with the processes, materials and equipment planned for production orders. The requirements of the qualification lot shall be documented and flowed down to the proposed subcontractor through the purchasing document. An inspection and test plan shall be prepared by TAG Engineering’s Quality department for verification of the qualification lot upon receipt. Results of this verification will be forwarded to the subcontractor through the purchasing department if requested.
Q-9 Special Processing: The subcontractor and sub-tier suppliers shall establish and document procedures for the control of all special processes (i.e. plating, heat treat, brazing, welding, bonding, coating, etc.). Special processing utilized in the manufacturing of materials for this purchase order requires prior approval, as well as the methods of verifying compliance. This approval does not relieve the subcontractor of responsibility for delivering compliant material to the stated requirements. A Certificate of Compliance is required for each shipment in which material was produced utilizing a special process. (See Q-10 for certification format)
Q-10 Certification of Conformance Requirement: The subcontractor and associated sub-tier supplier, shall submit with each shipment, a Certificate of Compliance stating that the supplied material/product was processed, fabricated, inspected and tested is in compliance with all specified requirements of the purchasing contract. The certification shall state that the subcontractor has on file all data validating compliance to the specified requirements. Data substantiating compliance must be assessable for examination by TAG Engineering and associated customer.
The Certificate of Compliance must include as a minimum the following:
- Subcontractor name
- Purchase Order number
- Part / Tool Number
- Lot identification or certificate number if applicable
- List of serial / model numbers if applicable
- Date Code if applicable
- Quantity by Date Code, if applicable
- Standards and the traceable NIST numbers, The date the calibration was performed and the next due date, if applicable
- Statement Certifying Compliance of material/product
- Date and signature of authorized company representative.
Q-11 Raw Material Certification: Chemical and Physical analysis of raw materials furnished under this purchase order is required. Certification substantiating the raw material adherence to the specifications and requirements imposed by the purchase order shall be stated. Test reports must indicate the key characteristic analysis, specification or drawing requirements, actual measured results and acceptance. Documented report shall include as a minimum, the following information:
- Purchase Order number
- Part Number
- Lot Identification number
- Complete Chemical and Physical Test Data
- Date and Signature of Authorized Company Representative
Q-12 Casting and Forging Certification Requirements: The subcontractor and associated sub-tier supplier shall submit with each shipment, a Certificate of Compliance stating that the supplied material/product was processed, fabricated, inspected and tested and are in compliance with all specified requirements of the purchasing contract in accordance with Quality Clause Q-10 with addition of the following requirements.
- Complete Chemical and Physical Test Data with applicable Specification
- X-rays with certification of inspection criteria and results
- Heat treat certification / charts traceable to supplied product
Q-13 Mercury Prohibition Certification: The subcontractor and or associated sub-tier supplier shall submit with each shipment, a Certificate of Compliance stating that the supplied material/product furnished on this contract contain no functional mercury, nor have external contamination by metallic mercury or mercury compounds or mercury vapor.
Q-14 Inspection and Test Plan: The subcontractor shall prepare an inspection and test plan for materials processed and delivered against this purchase order. A copy shall be sent to TAG Engineering accompanied by any referenced documentation. Production may not commence on this purchase order until the subcontractor receives formal written approval from TAG Engineering. The inspection and test plan shall include the manufacturing/processing sequences, in-process and final inspection points in relation to procurement, manufacture and final acceptance. The method of inspection, which will be utilized, measuring and test equipment and system of delivery. Number shall reference all applicable procedures, specifications and work instructions. TAG Engineering may elect to establish inspection points, consistent with the subcontractor's plan.
Q-15 First Article Inspection: Written acceptance by TAG Engineering of the First Article produced or processed against this purchase order is required before subsequent production, processing or shipping is authorized. The First Article sample(s) shall been fabricated, utilizing parts, materials and processes proposed for full production. Additionally, the manufacturing shall have occurred at the same location for which production is proposed.
The First Article report shall be submitted and will as a minimum, include the following:
- Part Number
- Purchase Order number
- Applicable drawing number and revision
- Applicable specifications and revision
- Dimensional and/or physical characteristics with tolerances listed
- Actual measurements (raw data)
- Associated test data
- Date and signature of authorized company representative. The sample(s), certifications and First Article report will be sent to TAG Engineering for full inspection and validation. Results shall be communicated to the subcontractor through the purchasing activity.
Q-16 TAG Engineering Source Inspection: TAG Engineering will perform source inspection to the requirements of the purchase order at the subcontractor's facility, prior to the shipment of material. The subcontractor 'shall provide reasonable inspection facilities and measuring equipment necessary to validate the compliance to contractual requirements. TAG Engineering reserves the right, should the need present itself, to verify processing methods with the exception of proprietary processes. This includes those processes of the subcontractor's sub-tier supplier. Subcontractor shall have available all documentation, shop order and/or rout sheet, drawings and specifications, inspection and test results, purchase order, test samples and material for inspection. The subcontractor shall notify the TAG Engineering buyer not less than five (5) working days before the time in which the material will be complete for source inspection. Source inspection acceptance by TAG Engineering does not relieve the subcontractor from the responsibility of providing acceptable product.
Q-17 Age Control: Materials with defined characteristics, which over time are susceptible to quality degradation through use or storage, shall be clearly identified on the lowest level of unit packaging. The package shall be marked to indicate the critical date the shelf life was initiated and date of expiration. As a minimum, materials shall be marked with the date of manufacture, expiration date, storage temperature and humidity requirements, special handling conditions, in addition to the standard identification requirements. Materials at the date of receipt by TAG Engineering shall have a minimum of seventy-five (75) percent of the usable shelf life remaining.
Q-18 DFARS Compliance: This purchase order is issued pursuant to a U. S. Department of Defense Sub-Contractor. Seller agrees to comply with DFARS 252.225-7014, AIt.1, Preference for Domestic Specialty Metals. Specialty metals incorporated in articles delivered to TAG Engineering must comply with the requirements of this clause.
Q-19 Electrostatic Discharge Sensitive Material (ESD): Materials with ESD defined characteristics, shall be maintained, packaged and shipped in accordance with the most current revision of ANSI/ESD S-20.20. Each layer of packaging including cartons and boxes to the lowest level of unit packaging will be clearly identified as ESD sensitive material.Issue Date 11/10/08
7.4_9 Quality Assurance Provisions: Rev A
Reproduced copies of this document are Not Controlled