-

I I I

"

-_-

1&_..
' ..'_1$_'","..........W. . . . . .

PREFACE
Date: April 20, 1962
The

QUALITY

PROGRAM

PROVISIONS

FOR SPACE SYSTEM

CONTRAC TORS (NPC 200-2) is established to provide common, general

requirements for contractor quality program.s to ensure the required

quality of NASA space systems and elements thereof. This publication

is

consistent with existing Department of Defense quality aSSurance

policies (as of date of publication) and specification MIL-Q-9858, and

amplifies, in considerable detail, the requirements which may be invoked in a space systenl contract.

NASA installations shall invoke the requirements ofthis publication

contractually to the extent needed and consistent with program planning
for procurements of complete space

craft, and associated ground

systems~

launch vehicles, space-

support syst~m's. NASA space system

contractors will also invoke requirements of this publication in selected

major subcontracts.
To facilitate timely execution of NASA programs, the cognizant

NASA installation may delegate authority for detailed implementation

to its field representatives or to the designated inspection agency,. as

appropriate. Where decisions concerning the contractor's quality program are not delegated,

the most direct and expeditious means of

communication with the NASA installation should be used,

Contro-ents and questions concerning the requirements set forth in

this publication should be referred to the Office of Reliability and

Quality Assurance, NASA Headquarters, Washington 25, D.C. Questions
concerning its application to specific procurements should be referred

to the designated NASA field representative or, if there is none, to the

cognizant NASA installation.
This publication is authorized in accordance with NASA General
Management Instruction 4-2-2.

As sociate Administrator
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
For :!ale by the Supermteodent of Documentll, US Government Prmtmg Office
Washmgton 25, DC - Price 4Q cent..

(i)

I I 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Quality Publication NPC 200-2
Page
Section 1: Introduction
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6

General....................................................................................
Applicability....
Relation to Detail Requirements
Relation to Reliability Requirements
Government Quality Assurance Actions
Revisions
0. 0 0...... 0.... 0 0. ... . .

1
I
I
I
I
2

Section 2: Basic Requirements

2.1
2.2
2.3

General
0. 0. 0......... 00 . 0...........................
Quality Program Documentation
Change Control..........................................................................

3
4

Section 3: Management
3.1
3.2

Planning
Organization

'"

, ..
0 0

5
5

Section 4: Design and Development Control

4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4

General....
Drawing and Specification Review..................
Qualification Tests
Identification.............................................................................

7
7
8
9

!""'\

Section 5: Control of Contractor Procured Material

5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
5.10

General....................................................................................
Selection of Procurement Sources
Procurement Documents
Government Source Inspection
Contractor Source Inspection
Receiving Inspection
Identification
,
, .. 0... 0 0 00 ... 0 0 0. ,....
Failure and Deficiency Feedback
Supplier Rating and Preferred Source Lists
Coordination of Contractor - Supplier Measuring and Test Equipment
and Standards.........................................................................

11
11
12
14
14
14
15
16
16
16

Section 6: Control of Government Furnished Property (GFPj

6.1
6.2

Inspection of GFP.......................
Defective GFP...

17
17

Section 7: Control of Contractor -Fabricated Articles

7. I
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5

General....................................................................................
Conformance Criteria
Inspection and Test Planning
Inspection and Test Performance
Fabrication Controls
0.0 0. 0. 0o. 000 0. 0...
(iii)

19
19
19
20
22

c n

it

1111'

IT

Page

Section 8: Nonconforming Material

8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4

Material Review........................................................................
Approval of Contracting Officer.
Control of Nonconforming Material...............................................
Rework Without MRB

25
25
25
26

Section 9: Inspection, Measuring, and Test Equipment

9.1
9.2
9.3

9.4
9.5
9.6
9.7

General...
Calibration
Calibration Facilities and Standards
Evaluation
Maintenance and Control...............
Written Procedures...........
Records...

27
27
27
27
28
28

29

Section 10: Inspection Stamps

10.1

General....................................................................................

31

Section 11: Preservation, Packaging, Handling, Storage and Shipping

11.1
11.2
11.3
11.4

11.5
11.6

General....................................................................................
Preservation
Packaging..........................................................
Handling. .. . . . . . . . . . . . .
. .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . .
. .. . ..
. .. .. . . . .. . .
Storage
Shipping

33
33
33
33
33
34

Section 12: Statistical Planning, Analysis, and Quality Control

12.1
12.2
12.3
12.4

General
Statistical Analysis and Test Planning
Sampling Plans
Statistical Quality Control Charts

35
35
35
35

Section 13: Training and Certification of Personnel

13.1
13.2

Training
Certification of Fabrication and Inspection Personnel.......................

37
37

Section 14: Data Reporting and Corrective Action

14.1

14.2
14.3

General
Data Reporting
Corrective Action

0.

39
40
41

..................................

43
43

Section 15: Audit of Quality Program Performance

15.1
15.2

Performance of Audits
Audit Reports and Corrective Action

Appendix A: Glossary of Terms

A-i

Appendix B: Quality Program Documentation

B-i

(iv)

II

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
(')
\~

1. 1

GENERAL
The "Quality Program Provisions for Space System Contractors "(NPC 200-2)"
sets forth general requirements for contractor quality programs necessary to
ensure that complete space systems, launch vehicles, spacecraft, and

associated ground support equipment meet the quality requirements of the

contract. These requirements include the establishment and maintenance of an
effective quality program from the design conception to the delivery of articles
of satisfactory quality level meeting the intended design.

1. 2

APPLICABILITY
This publication is applicable when invoked by reference to it in the contract,
to NASA space system prime contracts. It also applies to those major subcontracts to which its provisions are pertinent, as determined by the cognizant
NASA installation or by the prime contractor.

1.3

RELATION TO DETAIL REQUIREMENTS

The quality program requirements setforth in this publication shall be satisfied
in addition to all detail requirements contained in the statement of work or in
other parts of the contract. Regardless ofthe requirements of this publication,
the contractor is responsible for compliance with all provisions of the contract
and for furnishing specified articles which meet all the requirements of the
contract. To the extent of any inconsistency between the contract Schedule or
its General Provisions and this publication, the contract Schedule and the
General Provisions shall control. (The term "contract schedule" is not to be
confused with the delivery schedule. See Glossary).

o
1.4

RELATION TO RELIABILITY REQUIREMENTS

The quality program provisions herein are intended to aid in achieving the

required reliability of the complete space systems, launch vehicles, spacecraft, and ground support systems involved. Detailed reliability requirements
generally will be contained in the contract work statement. Certain require:ments herein, such as testing, may be considered common to quality and

reliability programs. The contractor's quality program shall be planned and

used in a manner to effectively support the contractor's reliability program.

1. 5

GOVERNMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE ACTIONS

The quality programs of the contractor and of his subcontractors are subject to
continuous evaluation, review, and inspection by the cognizant NASA installation
or its designated representatives. Actions by or on behalf of the Government
will determine not only whether the requirements ofthis publication have been
met, but also that the contract articles are of satisfactory quality and meet the
intended design. The contractor I s existing quality program will be considered
adequate upon demonstration satisfactory to the cognizant NASA installation
that it continuously provides an equivalent to the provisions herein.

IIII

Quality Publication 200-2

1.6

1. 6

REVISIONS
When this publication is revised, the contractor is encouraged to follow and

to authorize his subcontractors to follow the applicable portions of the revised

publication. However, the contractor is not required to comply with revisions
made after the effective date of the contract except as a contract change. If
the contractor elects to follow the revised publication without a contract
change, he shall notify the contracting officer, the cognizant NASA installation,
and its designated representative in writing.

II

SECTION 2: BASIC REQUIREMENTS

2.1

GENERAL
The contractor shall maintain an effective and timely quality program planned
and developed in conjunction with all other contractor's functions necessary to

satisfy the contract requirements. The program shall demonstrate recognition

of the quality aspects of the contract and an organized approach to achieve
them. The program shall ensure that quality requirements are determined
and satisfied throughout all phases of contract performance, including
preliminary and engineering design, development, fabrication, processing,
assembly, inspection, test, checkout, packaging, shipping, storage, mainte ..
nance, field use, flight preparations, flight operations, and flight analysis.
The program shall ensure that quality aspects are fully included in all designs
and are continuously maintained in the fabricated articles. Any changes
required to improve component, subsystem, or system performance without
compromising quality or reliability shall be incorporated at the earliest
practical point in development and fabrication. The program shall provide
for the early and prompt detection of actual or potential deficiencies, system
incompatibility, marginal quality, and trends or conditions which could result
in unsatisfactory quality. It shall also provide timely and effective corrective
action of all such conditions. Objective evidence of quality conformance,
including records of inspection and test results, shall be made readily available
to the cognizant NASA installation and its designated representative.

2.2

QUALITY PROGRAM DOCUMENTATION

The contractor shall develop and provide simultaneously to the cognizant NASA
installation and its designated representative all documentation specified herein
and tabulated in Appendix B. Depending upon requirements specified by the
NASA installations, contracts may provide for departures from the documentation specified herein. Where this is done, the contract requirements shall be
followed. All quality program documents, such as process and quality control
procedures. which are peculiar to, or developed for, a particular space system
shall include identification with that system. For ready use, such documents
shall be maintained separate from common documents. All documentation will
be subject to actions of the cognizant NASA installation or its designated
representative, as follows:

2.2.1

Avvroval. The cognizant NASA installation approval will be granted in

wnting within the time specified in the contract. The contractor shall
not implement documents in this category until NASA installation
approval is granted. Neither approval nor waiver of such approval shall
relieve the contractor of his obligation to meet requirements of the
contract.

2.2.2

Review. Documents in this category shall be received by the NASA

installation or its designated representative a minimum of two weeks
prior to the intended or required use by the contractor. If the contractor
has not been notified of disapproval within the two-week period, he may
proceed. However, subsequent changes in such documents may be
required by the NASA installation.

Illd

Quality Publication 200 - 2

2.2.3

2.2.3

Information. All documents in this category shall be submitted for the

purpose of determining current quality prograITl status, progress, and

future planning.
Appendix B.

2.3

The submittal schedules shall be as specified in

CHANGE CONTROL

2.3.1

General. A system shall be provided by the contractor to ensure

control of all documents affecting the quality program and for the
incorporation of changes thereto. These documents include quality
control procedures, engineering drawings J inspection and test procedures, specifications, procurement docuITlerits, engineering orders,
process, manufacturing, and operating instructions, and similar documents. These documents shall be distributed to the proper points at
the proper times, in order that contract work and all quality program
functions are accomplished in accordance with the latest applicable
documents. The system shall also provide for the prompt removal of all
obsolete documentation from operating areas and that quality program
personnel shall review all changes to determine their effect upon the
quality of the fabricated articles, and upon the operation of the contractor's quality program. Special attention shall be given to changes
involving interface relationships, including those changes affecting
articles not under the design control of the contractor.

2.3.2

Effectivity. The contractor shall clearly define the effectivity point

of all changes, except those which affect only presentation of information on a document (e.g., spelling or completeness) and do not affect
:materials, fabrication, or perforrnance. The contractor shall ensure
that changes are accomplished On the affected articles at an appropriate
point, the changed articles are appropriately marked or identified,
and applicable documents are revised accordingly. Provisions shall be
made for adequate and timely inspection and test of all changed articles.

I I I

SECTION 3: MANAGEMENT

()

3.1

PLANNING
The contractor shall demonstrate an organized approach to his quality program
which includes:
a.

Clearly specified policies and objectives,

b.

A written operating plan for the quality program, and

c.

Documented meanS for measuring realization against the plan.

These shall encompass the total range of actions of the contractor's quality
program from the initial phase throughout the development, fabrication, and
delivery of articles of required quality, and constitute the contractor's quality
program plan. All contractor quality activities shall be coordinated so that
specific quality program functions can be effectively directed, and their
accomplishments and effectiveness measured.

3.1.1

Quality Program Plan Submission. The contractor's quality program

plan shall be available in preliminary form within 45 days after award
of the contract for review and discussion with the NASA installation
and/or its designated representative. The preliminary plan shall
include:

a.

A flow chart or tabulation showing the contractor's proposed

quality program operations in general terms of what, where, and
how.

b.

Proposed reV1Slons or additions to present quality operations to

satisfy the contract.

c.

Time schedule for quality program docume"ts to be prepared by or

on behalf of the contractor.

d.

Contractor's organizational structure, showing all elements which

will perform functions required by this publication.

The contractor's quality program plan shall be subsequently detailed

and submitted for review to the cognizant NASA installation and its
designated representative within 45 days after the review of the
preliminary plan. Further details, including changes and additions.
shall be submitted as prepared and two weeks prior to their implementation.

3.2

ORGANIZATION
No single organizational pattern is mandatory to satisfy the requirements of
this publication. Personnel performing quality program functions shall have
sufficient, well-defined responsibility and the organizational freedom to
recognize and assess quality problems and to initiate, recommend, and/or
provide solutions. The effectiveness of quality program functions and the
ability of assigned personnel to objectively assess, document, and report true

III I

Quality Publication 200-2

3.2

quality findings shall be maintained during all phases of the contract work, and
shall not be reduced by other considerations, such as the influence of engineering changes, rework, or rescheduling. The one responsible for directing the
quality program shall have direct, unimpeded access to higher management
and shall report regularly on the status and adequacy of the program.

I I \

it

SECTION 4: DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT CONTROL

,~,

\.~

4.1

GENERAL
Product quality shall be a major consideratl0n in the contractor IS design and
development efforts. The contractor shall initiate a prograITl to establish,
document, and ensure compliance with design control requireITlents and
quality criteria during the preliminary design and development stages and
maintain it throughout the life of the contract articles.

4.2

DRAWING AND SPECIFICATION REVIEW

4.2.1 General. The contractor shall perform design review of drawings,
specifications, and technical docurnents to establish the characteristics
which determine the quality and reliability of the system, and to provide criteria to judge conformance to these characteristics. The contractor shall docu1TIent design reviews and make such documentation
avallable to the NASA installation and its designated representative.
The contractor shall ensure that drawings, specifications, and technical documents contain adequate requirements for determining and
controlling the quality of all items purchased or produced by the contractor. Such requirements shall be related to all phases of the system
development including design, fabrication, testing, and end-use. Indetailing quality requirements, documents shall mclude:

(J

a.

Identification of the article,

b.

Characteristics deterITIined to influence quality,

c.

Inspection and test methods (including specific test equipment,

environmental conditions, and sample size, as applicable), and

d.

Conformance limits.

\~

4.2.2

Qualified and Preferred Parts.

The design review shall include specific actions to maximize the use of parts and components which
have been qualified as meeting the performance, reliability, and
quality requirements of the contract. Feedback of information from
previous experience with similar or related designs is a necessary
input at this stage of the system development. The design review
shall include application of any preferred parts lists cited in the
contract Or req\lired to be established by the contractor to:
a.

Eliminate from the design parts known to be inadequate, and

b.

Aid in planning part and component testing and screening.

4.2.3

Government Document Review.

4.2.4

Planning. The contractor shall use these reviews for timely planning
for fabrication tooling, m.easuring and test equipment, and inspection
and test procedures.

The contractor shall review applicable

Government drawings, specifications, and technIcal documents as
above, for adequacy and provide necessary addenda and supplements
to adequately define the quality requirements of the fabricated articles.

1111,'

4.3

4.3

Quality Publication 200-2

QUALIFICATION TESTS
4.3.1

General.

Qualification test of parts, components, subassemblies,

and higher levels of assembly shall be performed to demonstrate
that the design is inherently capable of meeting the established requirements. Tests shall be designed to:
a.

Locate significant failure modes,

b.

Determine the effects of varied stress levels,

c.

Determ.ine the effects of combinations of tolerances and drift of

design parameters, and

d.

Determine the effects of combinations and sequences of environments and of stress levels.

Destructive tests and an inspection of disas sembled articles shall be

included as appropriate. The contractor shall document and submlt
qualification test procedures in accordance with paragraph 7.3.1 and
the contract. These procedures shall be statistically designed where
advantageous to obtain the maxiITlum of useful information. Data shall
be submitted as specified in Section 14.

4.3.2

Parts, Components, and Subassemblies. Qualification tests of parts,

components, and subassemblies shall be appropriate for the system
performance, environments, and associated time requireTIlents.

4.3.3

SystemS and Major Subsystems. These qualification tests shall include

demonstration, ana1ysls, and evaluation of system and subsystem
effectiveness, interaction, integration, and compatibility under conditions which simulate actual end-use to the highest practical degree.

4.3.4

Requalification Tests. Qualification tests performed on identical

articles prior to Or outside the scope of the contract TIlay be accepted
at the discretion of the NASA installation to reduce qualification testing. Actual test data, environments, and procedures for such tests
shall be made available to the NASA installation when the qualiflcation test procedures are submitted. Qualification tests shall be repeated at intervals specified by the NASA installation. Requalification
may be required when inspection, tests, or operational data indicates the
inadequacy of a qualified article or when the des ign has been changed.
Requalification shall be accomplished only after necessary corrective
achon has been implemented.

4.3.5

Qualification Status List. The contractor shall prepare and maintain

a qualification status list showing the planned and completed qualification status of each part, component, subassembly, and higher level
of assembly. The basis for any omiSSIon of qualification tests shall
be shown. Where qualification is based on tests conducted under the
applicable contract, reference shall be made to the pertinent test
reports or data. The qualification status list and changes thereto
shall be submitted for approval in accordance with paragraph 2.2 and
Appendix B at intervals mutually agreed upon with the NASA mstallation.

I I 1

4.4

Design and Development Control

(',
\-.J

4.4

IDENTIFICATION
MaterIals, processes, and design parameters shall be so identified in the
design documentation that the engineering features to be evaluated may be
associated with the particular articles. Each article, including parts and
components, shall be identified by a unique part number and serial or lot
number. Certain articles, such as rivets, will not be serialized or identified
by lot numbers after fabrication, provided that selection of such are approved
by the NASA installation or its designated representative. These identification
numbers shall be consistent WIth the engIneering drawing and change control
system used throughout the contract. When the contract requires mechanized
or electronic processing of data for distribution, the identification numbers
shall be suitable for. such processing.

C,
/

II

SECTION 5: CONTROL OF' CONTRACTOR PROCURED

MATERIAL
5.1

GENERAL
The contractor shall as su:me the responsibility for the adequacy and quality
of all purchased materials, articles, and services unless otherwise directed
by the contracting agency in writing. This responsibility includes:

5.2

a.

Selection of qualified procurement sources;

b.

TranslTIission of all design, reliability, and quality requirements

to procurement subcontracts and purchase orders;

c.

Evaluation of the adequacy of procured arhcles;

d.

Effective provisions for early infor:mation feedback and correction of deficiencies; and

e.

Providing technical assistance and training to suppliers when

necessary to achieve desired reliability and quality levels.

SELECTION OF PROCUREMENT SOURCES

5.2.1

General. The contractor shall evaluate and approve his procure:ment

sources. Approval shall be based upon the supplier's quality history
records or a survey report covering the requirements stated below.
The contractor's quality organization shall review and provide com:ments on the adequacy of all procurement sources. Each selected
supplier shall satisfy one of the following conditions:
a.

The supplier shall have a previous and continuous quality record

of supplying high quality articles ofthe type being procured. These
quality records shall be supported by docu:mented qualitative and
quantitative information.

b.

If no previous quality records are avallable, a survey of the sup

plier's facilities and quality control inspection systeno. shall indicate that he is capable of supplying articles which :meet all quality
requirements. Results of these reviews shall be documented and
made available to the cognizant NASA installation or its designated representative, upon request.

When co:mmercial or off-the-shelf items are to be procured and the

contractor has no previous quality record of the supplier, a survey of
the supplier's facilities and quality control inspection system will not
necessarily be required. In these cases, the contractor shall ensure
that a thorough inspection is performed to deter:mine qualification and
conform.ance.

5.2.2

()

Records. Records necessary for establishing and maintaining a quality

history for each subcontractor and supplier shall be :maintained by the
contractor.
11

5.3

5.3

Quality Publication 200-2

PROCUREMENT DOCUMENTS
5.3.1

Contents. Subcontracts and purchase orders issued at all tiers of

procurement shall include provisions for the following, as applicable:

a.

Basic Technical Requirem.ents: All drawings, engineering orders,

specifications, quantitative reliability requirements test and
inspection procedures, special inspection and test equipment,
I

and the latest applicable revision symbol shall be referenced

and made available as necessary.
b.

Government Source Inspection Requirements: When Government

SOurce inspection is required, include the following statement;

"All work on this order is subject to inspection and test by

the Government at all times (including the period of performance) and places; and, in any event, prior to shipm.ent. The
Government representative who normally services your plant
should be notified forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the
tilne articles or processes are ready for inspection Or test."
All other orders shall mclude the following statement:
liThe Government reserves the right to inspect any or all
of the work included in this order at the supplier's plant."
c.

d.

COntractor Source Inspection. When the need for contractor source

inspection has been determined, the requirements shall be detailed in subcontracts and purchase orders.

Subcontractor Quality Programs. The subcontractor shall provide

and maintain a quality program which conforms to one of the
following:
(1)

Subcontractors for major subsystems, as designated by the

contractor or the NASA installation, shall be required to follow this publication.

(2)

Suppliers of materials, parts and components (including offthe-shelf items) shall be required as a minimum to follow
NASA Quality Publication NPC 200 -3.

(3)

All other subcontractors having design responsibility orproducing complex assemblies or subassemblies shall be required to follow the contractor 1 s document containing, as a
minimum, applicable pOrtions of this publication and all the
provisions of NASA Quality Publication NPC 200-3.

In all cases, the cognizant NASA installation, its authorized

representative, or the contractor, may survey the subcontractor's
quality program or inspection system to verify com.pliance.
e.

Purchased Raw Materials. Purchased raW materials which are

required to satisfy documented specifications shall be accompanied
with chemical and physical test results, as applicable.

12

I I 1

Control of Contractor Procured Material

5.3.2

5.3.2

f.

Raw Materials Used in Purchased Articles. Tests performed on

specimens or detailed analyses of supplier's acceptance test results on all raw materials that are required to satisfy specification requirements and which are employed in the fabrication of
articles purchased on this subcontract Or purchase order shall be
made available to the procuring contractor upon request.

g.

Evidence of Supplier Inspections Performed. Evidence of specific

tests and inspections of procured articles shall be submitted to
the contractor and made available, on request, for review by the
NASA installation or its designated representative. Particular
emphasis shall be given those characteristics which cannot be
normally inspected by the contractor after receipt. Inspection
records maintained by the supplier must be adequate to ascertain
the quality level of required articles and ofthe supplier's production processes.

h.

Identification, Preservation, and Packaging. Requirements for

adequate identification, special preservation, and transportation
packaging required to preserve the quality of the article shall be
referenced.

i.

Age Control. Materials and articles having definite characteristics

of quality degradation Or drift with age and/or use shall be marked
to indicate the date and test time Or cycle the critical life was
initiated or the date and test time or cycle at which useful life
will be expended. Variables data shall be recorded and maintained. The supplier Or contractor shall ensure renloval of such
materials on a scheduled basis.

j.

Resubmission of Rejected Material. All articles rejected by the

contractor and subsequently resubmitted by the supplier to the
contractor shall bear adequate identification of such resubm.ission either on the articles or onthe supplier's shipping document.
Reference shall be made to the contractor's rejection document
and evidence given that the causes for rejection have been corrected.

k.

ArtIcles of Supplier Design. The supplIer shall notlfy the COntractor of any proposed changes in design, fabrication method, or
process and obtain approval of the change from the contractor
before making the change. Appropriate identification of those
articles on which the change is incorporated shall be required.

Review. Each procurement document shall be reviewed by the contractors 1 quality organization prior to release of the docum.ent for
procurement, and all procurement documents shall be available for
review by the NASA plant representative and/or the designated inspection agency. This review will require as a minimum the following:
a.

Assurance that the applicable provisions of paragraph 5.3.1 are

included in adequate degree.

b.

Determination that the supplier has been approved in accordance

with the procurement source selection requirements of paragraph 5.2.

13

------~------ ------~-~- - - - - - -

------- ---

- - - - - - -~~-

IIIII

Quality Publication 200-2

5.4
c.

5.4

When articles are being purchased for delivery direct to the Government, that a requirement exists that these articles be qualified
for their specified application in accordance with the qualification
requirements of the contract.

GOVERNMENT SOURCE INSPECTION

Source inspection performed by and for the convenience of the Government
on any procured articles shall not, in any way, replace contractor source inspection or relieve the contractor of his responsibilities for ensuring the
quality of these articles. The need for Government source inspection will be
determined by the NASA installation or its designated representative.

5.5

CONTRACTOR SOURCE INSPECTION

The contractor shall either provide for non-Govermnent inspection at source
or require objective evidence that the subcontractor complies in detail with
applicable requirements when the procuring contractor's receiVing inspection cannot verify the quality of the articles because of the following:

5.6

a.

Articles being procured are at a level of assembly which prevents

verification of quality at the procuring contractor's plant, or

b.

In-process controls have such an effect on the quality of the

articles, that the quality cannot be determined solely by inspection or tests of the completed articles, !

c.

Verification tests are destrucbve in nature or the environments

or special test equipment required cannot be feasibly and economic ally reproduced or made available at the procuring COntractor's plant.

RECEIVING INSPECTION
The contractor's receiving inspection shall provide for the following:
a.

That articles shall not be accepted unless:

(1)

They have been qualified in accordance with paragraph 4.3,

are designated for Buch qualification, or om.ission of
qualification has been justified on the approved qualification
status list; and
Or

(2)

b.

They have been inspected by the supplier in accordance with

the purchase orders and satisfactory evidence of such inspection is submitted.

Planning and performance of inspections and tests on all procured

articles to verify quality requirements of specifications and drawings and changes thereto, either at the source, or at the contractor's plant, or both. Inspections performed at receiving inspection shall as a minimum, include verification of all drawing
and specification characteristics which have not been source
inspected by the contractor, and which can be verified without
disassembly of the article. Per i 0 die disas sembly shall be

14

I 1111

Control of Contractor procuredlMaterial

;

5.7

accomplisl\ed 'as appropriate for m.ore detailed verification of the

specified ~equirements. Particular emphasis shall be placed on
those charactJristics for which deficiencies m.ay not be detected
during subsequent inspections and tests. The quantity and degree
of inspection perform.ed shall be consistentwith the critical nature
of the article, the information available frornprevious inspections
or tests, and the quality history of the article. Statistical sampling
techniques may be used, where applicable, if in accordance with
the statistical quality control requirements of Section 12.

c.

That inspection and test equipment, drawings, specifications and

instructions will be available to perform necessary tests and in~
spection upon receipt of the articles being purchased. Where the
cost of certain mspection or test equipm.ent is considered
prohibitive, verification at the supplier's plant will be necessary.

d.

That procured articles which are subject to age deterioration include an indication of the date that the critical life of the article
was initiated Or the date at which the useful life will be expended.
All such articles shall be adequately protected in subsequent
stores and handling operations.

e.

That chemical analyses and physical tests as necessary to verify

material quality shall be conducted on test specim.ens submitted
with purchased articles. Where used, sampling plans shall be in
accordance with paragraph 12.3.

f.

Chemical analyses and physical tests necessary to verify that

raw m.aterials conform. to specifications shall be periodically
conducted on samples randomly selected from the raw materials
received.

g.

That physical separation of raw materials and of purchased

fabricated articles shall be maintained. This shall provide, as a
minimum, separation of:
(I)

Materials or articles awaiting inspection or test results,

(2)

Conforrrling m.ate rials or articles, and

(3)

Rejected materials or articles.

The integrity of lots awaiting inspection and test results shall be

maintained.

5.7

IDENTIFICATION
All receipts at the contractor's plant shall be clearly identified and this
identity maintained In store rooms and during processing in order that items
procured under NASA contract m.ay be readily recognized. This requirement
does not include commercial Or off -the -shelf material cornman to other
projects, unless otherwise specified in the contract. Raw materials shall be
identified at receiving and this identification shall be maintained either on the
fabricated article Or On records traceable to the fabricated article. All
purchased articles released from. the contractor's receiving inspection shall

15

-----------...................-Quality Publication ZOO-Z

5.8

be clearly identified to indicate conforman e ,or rejection. Rejected iterns

shall be handled in accordance with the requirements of Section 8.

5.8

FAILURE AND DEFICIENCY FEEDBACK

The contractor shall maintain a system to feed back rapidly to suppliers the
information necessary for correction of deficiencies detected during any
phase of inspection, test, assembly operation, final checkout, or use of the
purchased articles. The system shall meet the corrective action requirements of paragraph 14.3.

5.9

SUPPLIER RATING AND PREFERRED SOURCE LISTS

The quality capabilities of each supplier shall be objectively evaluated and
docum.ented by the contractor. Preferred source lists based on these evaluations and any preferred parts lists cited in the contract shall be made available to, and used by, those responsible for procurement and selection of
procurement sources as required in paragraph 5.2.

5.10 COORDINATION OF CONTRACTOR-SUPPLIER MEASURING AND TEST

EQUIPMENT AND STANDARDS
The contractor shall ensure early and continuous coordlnation of all inspection, measuring, and test equip:ment and correlation of inspection and test
procedures between the contractor and his suppliers.

16

IIII

I I I

~--

~-

-~

-- ------

-~- ~

SECTION 6: CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT FURNISHED

PROPERTY (GFP)
6.1

INSPECTION OF GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

Upon receipt, the contractor shall inspect Govermnent furnished property to
the extent practical to detect damage in transit, and to determine that the
property is complete, qualified for the intended end-use, and of proper type,
size, or grade. The contractor shall provide protection, periodic inspections,
and controls to ensure that quality is maintained, that storage conditions are
adequate, and that damage or deterioration does not occur in handling or
storage. Unless otherwise specified, the contractor shall perform functional
testing prior to further processing or installation to determine satisfactory
operation.

6.2

DEFECTIVE GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

The contractor
representative
functioning, or
further damage

shall advise the cognizant NASA installation and its designated

of any Government furnished property found damaged, malunsuitable for its intended use. The contractor shall prevent
or additional repair costs.

()

17

SECTION 7: CONTROL OF CONTRACTOR-FABRICATED

ARTICLES
7.1

GENERAL
The contractor shall maintain a program for quality control and necessary
supporting documentation for all contractor -fabricated articles to ensure that
all applicable contract, drawing, and specification requirements are obtained
and maintained in the completed articles. The program and its application to
all phases of fabrication shall provide maximum assurance that the quality
inherent in the design is m.aintained.

7.2

CONFORMANCE CRITERIA
The contractor shall provide documented criteria for determining conformance of all articles produced by the contractor in accordance with contract
requirements. These documents shall be available in advance of the time and
at the place articles are inspected for conformance. These criteria shall include standards for judging whether Or not the articles meet the drawing and
specification requirements.

7.3

INSPECTION AND TEST PLANNING

The contractor's program shall provide the necessary planning function for
tests and inspections conducted during the entire phase of fabrication,
processing, and assembly. The planning shall be based on a comprehensive
study of:

a.

The articles,

b.

The fabrication and processing operations,

c.

The methods of material integration, assembly, and checkout, and

d.

The End-Item Test Plan required in paragraph 7.4.2.

An outline of the general plan shall be documented and submitted as part of

the quality program plan, paragraph 3. L The outline shall include flow charts
indicating inspection stations and control points.

7.3.1

Inspection and Test Procedures.

Specific written inspection and test

procedures, except those which are an integral part of detail fabrication documents, shall be prepared and submitted for each inspection
and test operation to be performed by the contractor or his subcontractors. These procedures shall include at least the following:
a.

Identification of the article to be inspected Or tested (e.g .. part

number J system involved, and nomenclature).

b.

The objectives of the inspection or test.

C.

Measuring and test equipment to be used, specifying range,

accuracy, and type. Specify the particular scale, dial, or device
to be observed. If recording type, indicate details of tape, film,
sensitized paper or punchcards involved.

19

. ",

mm

"

Quality Publication 200-2

7.3.2
d.

Detailed operations to be performed by the test operator including

operational checks or preliminary calibration of test setup.

e.

Exact method of inspecting or measuring, including necessary

manipulation of controls on the article involved and on the
measuring and test equipment.

f.

Conditions that must be maintained during inspection and test,

including ambient Or environmental conditions and precautions to
be observed to prevent damage to the articles or instruments
involved.

g.

Criteria for passing or failing the test, or for determining conformance or rejection of the article, including reference to workmanship inspection standards.

h.

Details of sampling plans to be used, if applicable.

These inspection and test procedures shall be readily available to

inspection and test personnel and shall be physically located at the
applicable station at the time of inspection or test.

7.3.2

Establishment of Values to be Observed.

Each characteristic to be

observed shall be defined in terms of:

a.

The conditions which should exist at each examination point,

b.

The tolerance conditions under which the characteristic being

examined may be considered acceptable, and

c.

The levels or limits of inputs or stresses.

In the case of visual inspection, the optimum acceptable condition

shall be well defined.

7.3.3

Workmanship Inspectl.on Standards. Where samples of acceptable

workmanship are necessary, the samples will be jointly selected by
the contractor and the cognizant NASA installation Or its designated
representative in the early phase of fabrication and utilized for the
duration of the contract. When design changes are initiated, the
sam.ples shall be reviewed and replaced as necessary. These samples,
if properly protected throughout their use as standards, may be used
as spares or end item components at the end of the fabrication period,
provided acceptability has been determined by adequate reinspection
and retest.

7.4 INSPECTION AND TEST PERFORMANCE

The contractor shall perform inspections and tests covering all fabrication
operations. The contractor shall maintain a system of defect prevention by
observing, analyzing, and recording nonconformances during all phases of
fabrication and shall initiate corrective action in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 14.3. The contractor shall ensure that each operation of
inspection (and to the extent practicable, fabrication) is traceable to the
individual responsible for its accomplishment. All inspection personnel shall
20

--,----

Control of COntractor-Fabricated Articles

7.4.2.4

be qualified in accordance with the training and certification requirements of

Section 13.

'7.4.1

In-Process Inspection. The contractor shall provide for the verification of an plant processing and fabrication operations in accordance
with established test and inspection planning. Inspections shall be
established at points which will minimize potential delays resulting
from deficiencies, and in all cases shall be at Or before the last point
at which the acceptability of the operation or quality of the characteristic may be verified.

'7.4. 2 End-Item Tests and Final Inspection

7.4.2.1

End-item Test Plan. Contractor conducted tests shall be documented

in an End-Item Test Plan which has been submitted for approval
prior to beginning tests on completed end items intended for delivery under the contract. The End-Item Test Plan shall provide:

a. A technical description of the system, assemblies, and subassem.blies;

b. Parameters to be inspected and tested on each installed system, assem.bly, and subassembly;
c. The nominal and tolerance values of these parameters; and
d. Sequence of tests.

7.4.2.2

Tests and Inlf{Jeotion& The final tests and inspections shall be performed in such a manner and under such conditions as will sim.ulate end-use to the highest degree practicable without damage to
the end item, and which will provide a valid measure of overall
quality. The degree, duration, and number of such final tests
performed on each end item shall be sufficient to provide as surance that the required quality is present. Detailed end-item test
and inspection procedures, documented per paragraph 7.3.1, shall
be submitted for approval prior to beginning these tests and inspections. In addition to deterro-ining contractual conformance,
the contractor shall report immediately any unusual phenomena,
occurrence, difficulty Or questionable condition, whose detection
and correction is not specifically contained in the applicable
requirements, to the cognizant NASA installation, Or its desiJnated representative, in order that the necessary action and/or
provision of contractual coverage may be initiated.

7.4.2.3

Documents and Records. Data on the final tests of the end items shall
be submitted to the cognizant NASA installation and in accordance
with the data reporting requirements of paragraph 14.2.

7.4.2.4

Modifioations after Final Tests and {...speomo.... After completion of final

tests and inspection, any modifications, repairs Or replacements,
either authorized or unauthorized, shall necessitate a reinspection and retest to the extent determined necessary by the cognizant NASA installation Or its authorized representative to completely verify acceptability and compatibility with associated
components, subassem.blies, assemblies, and systems.

21

emRldPtm'

"'

Quality Publication 200-2

7.4.2.5

7.4.2.5

Personnel. The contractor personnel responsible for perfor:ming

final tests and inspections shall be technically competent in each

area of a ign:ment. They shall be able to perfor:m analyses and

com.patibility evaluations of methods and equipm.ent used, results
obtained, and adequacy of test procedures.

7.5

FABRICATION CONTROLS
'7.5.1

Production Toolin and Fabrication E ui ment. Production tooling,

jigs, ixtures and other fabrication equip:ment which control di:mensians l contours, or location of fabrication operations shall be controlled to ensure initial accuracy and repeatability during u.e.

'7.5.2

Material Control. Materials and article. undergoing fabrication or

as sembly shall be identified and shall :maintain this identification
either on the fabricated articles or on records traceable to the fabri"
cated articles. Controls shall ensure that only conforming materials
and articles are used. Materials and articles not conforming or not
required for the operation involved shall be removed from work operations. Positive action shall be taken to protect controlled proces 5e s
or operations from contamination by residue from nonconforming
materials from previous operations. Materia16 and articles having
definite characteristics of quality degradation or drift with age and/or
use shall be marked to indicate the date and test time or cycle the
critical life wa. initiated or the date and test time or cycle the useful
life will be expended. Variable. data .hall be recorded and maintained
for such articles. The contractor .hall plan his operations so that
material and articles with limited useful life will not be used unless
an adequate hfe will remain for subsequent periods of fabrication,
storage, and operation. The remaining useful life of limited life
articles .hall be recorded and supplied as part of the shipping documentation.

'7.5.3

Control of Cleanliness of Fabrication and Test Spaces. Propellants,

lubricants, chemicals, and precision articles shall be handled, assembled, and processed under controlled cleanliness conditions as
specified or as necessary to maintain the required quality. Special
procedures to maintain such cleanliness shall be included or referenced
on applicable contractor -prepared dr awings, s p e c i fie at ion s, and
process documents. Special attention shall be directed by the contractor to the review and enforcement of cleanlines s procedures,
clean or white room require:m.ents, and to the clothing of personnel
working in such areas.

'7.5.4

Process Control. The contractor shall maintain a defect prevention

program for the control of all metallurgical, chemical, material
cleaning and bonding, welding, coating, plating, and other processes
where uniform, high quality cannot be assured by inspection of article.
alone. In addition, special inspection processes, such as radiography,
ultrasonic test, liquid penetrant, and magnetic particle, shall be controlled to ensure that the results uniformly and accurately indicate
true quality. Contractor fabrication and inspection personnel, including
personnel responsible for the control of processes or critical materials, shall be trained and properly certified in accordance with the
requirements of .ection 13.

22

"

"

Control of Contractor-Fabricated Articles

7.5.4.3

7.5.4.1

ProceS8 Control P1'(}cedures. Process control procedures shall be prepared and submitted when necessary to supplem~nt applicable
process specifications to provide detailed performance and control
methods. The procedures shall fulfill the applicable test and inspection planning reqUlrements of paragraph 7.3 for both the
processing and its inspection. These procedures shall document
the preparation, fabrication details, conditions to be maintained
during each phase of the process, the methods of verifying the
adequacy of proces sing materials, solutions, equipment, their
associated control param.eters, including statistical quality control
plans where applicable, and the required records to indicate the
results of such inspection and process verification. The contractor's quality organization shall review the written procedures
for these process controls and conduct audits to determine that
the actual operations conform with approved methods and procedures.

7.5.4.2

Process Environments. Where processes must be conducted in special

enviromnents, such as under vacuum. or inert gases, the process
controls shall include means of maintaining the required environments and means of indicating or measuring the environments maintained.

7.5.4.3

Process Certification. The contractor shall provide for the certification of machines, equipment, and procedures used in selected
process operations. Records shall be maintained of the qualifying tests performed and the results of such tests. Machines,
equipment, and procedures shall be recertified as indicated
necessary by the results of quality audits. trends in inspections
and tests performed, or when major changes are made such as
material type or thickness, sequence of operation, design, relocation J power source, capacity, sensitivity, voltage and current
densities. The proficiency, capabllity, and adequacy of the personnel responsible for performing certifications, including the
inspection and testing operations for continuous control, shall be
subject to verification and disapproval by the cognizant NASA
installation.

23

"

"

SECTION 8: NONCONFORMING MATERIAL

~~

'-/

8.1

MATERIAL REVIEW
The contractor shall provide for the review, control, and disposition of nonconforming m.aterial. Each nonconformance shall be reviewed, a disposition
made by personnel vested with this responsibility, and positive corrective
action taken to prevent recurrence of similar discrepancies. Except as provided in paragraph 8.4, the contractor may offer material having minor nonconformance for review of a decision-making material review board (MRB).
Each MRB shall be composed of one contractor representative whose primary
responsibility is design, one contractor representative whose primary responsibility is product quality, and one Government representative acting on
behalf of the cognizant NASA installation. Acceptance of nonconforming material shall be deterrrdned by unanimous agreement of the MRB. Pertinent
technical competence and thorough knowledge of product quality and functional
requirements shall be prerequisite qualifications for all MRB members.
Material review board members may consult with other organizations and
personnel as required to arrive at optimum decisions. The decisions of the
board shall be supported by records of all cases submitted for action, including
material that can be reworked to specification, and corrective action taken.
Pertinent drawings and documentation shall be changed or initiated as neces5ary.

8.1.1

o
8.2

Subcontractor MRB. These requirements also shall apply to subcontractors to whom MRB responsibility is delegated by the contractor.
The contractor shall limit the authority of the subcontractor's MRB
dispositions to those of a minor Or incidental nature not affecting
safety, function, or interchangeability.

APPROVAL OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

Written requests for approval of the contracting officer shall be made if the
nonconformance may adversely affect safety, reliability, durability, performance, interchangeability of parts or assemblies, weight, Or the basic
objectives of the contract. If the contracting officer is other than the cognizant
NASA installation, the latter shall be supplied copies of all such requests for
approval.

8.3

CONTROL OF NONCONFORMING MATERIAL

The contractor shall provide facilities for the segregation and positive identification of defective articles. The method of identification shall describe the
nature and probable cause of the defect and indicate whether the defective
articles are to be returned for repair in accordance with approved procedures, are to be reworked to drawing, or are to be submitted to material
-review for disposition. In cases where departures from drawings or specifications are authorized by the MRB for particular characteristics, the articles
shall be identified as nonconforming and accepted byMRB so that an evaluation
may be made at later assembly, inspection, and test points as to the effect on
higher levels of assembly.

25

"

Quality Publication 200-2

8.4

8.4

REWORK WITHOUT MRB

Disposition of nonconforming material in the categories of "return for com~
pletion of operations I! or Ilreturn for rework to drawing!! may be authorized
without formal material review only if written procedures clearly define the
types of rework included in these categories, and l'einspections are performed to ensure that the reworked material meets drawing and specification
requirements.

26

I II' 'I

SECTION 9: INSPECTION, MEASURING,

AND TEST EQUIPMENT

'0
9.1

GENERAL
The contractor shall provide for the selection, evaluation, approval, maintenance, and control of all inspection standards, gages, m.easuring, and test
equipInent neces sary to determine conformance with specification, drawing,
and contract requirements. The requirements of this publication include
production tools and automated equipment incorporating an inspection,
measuring, Or test function. All equipment shall be used in an enVlrOnrrlent
and in a manner to ensure continued measurements of the required accuracy.

9. 2

CALIBRATION
All inspection, measuring, and test equipment shall be calibrated at scheduled
intervals against certified standards which have known, valid relationships to
national standards. Records shall be maintained indicating the date of last
calibration and due date. The due date or other identification attesting the due
date of the next calibration shall be displayed on each item of inspection,
measuring, and test equipment or tools. The contractor shall provide the
procedures and means for pet-iadic operational checks to be performed prior
to use of each inspection, measuring, and test equipment (e.g., warmup and
setting of electronic instruments, and check of micrometers against shop
standards)

9.2.1

o
9.3

Tooling Used for Measuring. Tools, gages, jigs, Or fixtures which

measure dimensions, contours, Or locations affecting quality characteristics shall be initially checked for accuracy prior to use.
Periodic check and recalibration shall be made at predetermined
intervals to ensure their continued accuracy.

CALIBRATION FACILITIES AND STANDARDS

The contractor shall have his ownor use the services of an approved standards
laboratory for the calibration of all inspection, m.easuring, and test equipm.ent
compatible with the design and quality requirements ofthe articles and of this
publication.

9.4

a.

Standards Laboratory. The standards laboratory shall maintain

temperature, humidity, and dust controls compatible with the
accuracy and design characteristics of the standards involved.

b.

Standards. Within state -of-the -art limitations, the standards

used for calibration of inspection, measuring, and test equipment
shall have a tolerance no greater than 10% of the allowable tolerance for the equipm.ent being calibrated.

EVALUATION
Prior to use, the contractor shall inspect and evaluate all inspection, measuring' and test equipment and shall document the results. These evaluations
shall determine the accuracy of the inspection, measuring, and test equipment
for determining the quality of the articles. Evaluations shall determine the
am.ount of the specified product tolerance that will be occupied by the

27

9.5

Quality Publication 200-2

inspection, measuring, and test equipment tolerances and inaccuracies. The
types of evaluations required are dependent on the following classes of equip:m.ent and their manner of use:

a.

Commercial equIpment for which sufficient information is available relative to accuracy, stability, and repeatability, when used
in a m.anner consistent with its design, need not necessarily be
subjected to evaluation tests. However, it is necessary that
calibrations be made and the results documented to indicate the
am.ount of measurement error throughout its entire range.

b.

Special equipment (e.g., automated test and checkout equipment)

designed to provide specific measurements shall be evaluated. In

addition to the evaluation tests, all special test equipment shall

be subjected to a rigid series of tests under the intended methods
of operation. During the operational tests, the special equipment

shall be set up under simulated test conditions and tests performed utilizing intended operating personnel. These tests shall
be designed to verify:
(1)

That the special equipment measures the desired parameters

of the article being measured and provides the desired indications or records. Such tests shall provide assurance that
the indicated measurements are those of the article being
measured and not of the test eqUIpment itself.

(2)

Accuracy and tolerance of the special equipment.

(3)

Compatibility of the test equipment with the product and supporting or related test hardware.

(4)

Ease of operation.

(5)

That the operating instructions are correct and complete.

Results of all evaluations shall be submitted to the cognizant NASA installation

and its designated representative for review in accordance with paragraph 2.2
and Appendix B.

9.5

MAINTENANCE AND CONTROL

The contractor shall periodically inspect, maintain, and recalibrate all inspection, measuring, and test equipm.ent~ The intervals for each eC!uipment
shall depend upon the use, accuracy, type of equipment, required precision,

and other conditions affecting measurement control. Procedures shall include

provisions for the removal from service of any equipment that has not been
maintained or recalibrated in accordance with established schedules, including
those found to exceed allowable limits. Where physical removal is impractical
due to weight, service connections. or other characteristics of the equipment,
it shall be impounded by the attachment of signs, tags, or other means of
positive identification.

9.6

WRITTEN PROCEDURES
Written procedures for calibration, operational check, evaluation, approval,

maintenance,

and

control

shall be prepared and maintained. Applicable

28

"

"

Inspection, Measuring, and Test Equipment

9.7

Government or industry standards may be referenced in these procedures in

lieu of repeating them in full. The procedures shall provide for posltive
identification and either removal or prevention of use of equipment that is
defective, obsolete, Or for which the due date for recalibration has expired.
All procedures shall be available to the cognizant NASA installation or its
designated representative.

9.7 RECORDS

Records shall be malntained on the recalibl'ation status, condition, and COrrectiona or :repairs for each inspection, measuring, and test equipment. Variables
data shall be maintained and an analysis performed to determine trends of
wear, deterioration, and adequacy of maintenance. Procedures and schedules
shall be realistically revised accordingly.

29

'9'''0'

I"

SECTION 10: INSPECTION STAMPS

10.1 GENERAL
The contractor shall establish and maintain an inspection stamp control system which includes but is not limited to the following:

()

a.

Stamps, decals, seals, or method of their application, shall be

designed to identify that articles have undergone in-process,
partial inspection, final subasse.mbly inspection, functional tests,
or end item final inspection. Article s which have been rejected
or are being held for MRB action need not be stamped, but the
reject or withhold stamp shall be applied to the hold tag or other
documentation as appropriate.

b.

Each stamp shall be traceable to the individual responsible for

its use and records shall be maintained to identify individuals
with specific inspection stamps.

c.

Stamps indicating that inspections have been performed shall be

applied directly to conforming articles unless this is impractical
due to physical limitations of the article or will compromise the
quality of the articles.

d.

In the event that stamping of articles as described in c above is

impractical, stamps shall be applied to tags, cards, or labels
attached to individual articles as practical. In the case of extremely small parts, the inspection card, tag, or label may be
attached to the container to indicate the status of all parts included
in the C ontaine r .

e.

Stamp design shall not resemble Government inspection stamps.

31

III

II

SECTION 11: PRESERVATION, PACKAGING, HANDLING,

STORAGE, AND SHIPPING
11.1 GENERAL
The contractor shall prepare written procedures for preservation, packaging,
handling, storage, and shipping to provide necessary protection of all articles
throughout the scope of the contract to prevent damage, loss, deterioration,
degradation, and substitution. The contractor's quality organization shall
review all these procedures prior to their implementation. These procedures
shall be made available to the cognizant NASA installation or its designated
representative upon request.

11.2 PRESERVATION
Articles subject to deterioration or corrosion through exposure to air,
moisture, or other elements during fabrication and any interim storage
cycle shall be cleaned and preserved by methods necessary to ensure
maximum life and utility. Articles packaged for shipment under the terms
of the contract, shall be preserved in accordance with the applicable requirements~

11.3 PACKAGING
Articles subject to deterioration, corrosion, or damage in the packaged state
shall be packaged in a manner and with such materials as necessary to prevent damage. Requirements for packaging shall consider conditions affecting
the article while at the contractor I s plant, transportation to destination, and
the expected or specified conditions at destination. Packaging methods shall
be established and documented by the contractor when the methods are not
adequately covered by existing specifications. Packaging shall include means
for indicating critical environments within the package, such as moisture
content, temperatures, or gas pressure. When maintenance of specific
internal or external environments are necessary, these shall be included
in the packaging and necessary special instructions shall be provided on the
exte rior of the package.

11.4 HANDLING
The contractor shall provide special handling for articles which are susceptible to handling damage. During fabrication and processing, special carts,
boxes, containers, and transportation vehicles shall be utilized as necessary
to prevent damage due to handling. All installation and test sites shall be
provided copies of special handling instructions to ensure safe and adequate
handling.

11.5 STORAGE
Article s which are required to be stored shall be adequately protected against
deterioration and damage. Means shall be provided for adequate safety, preventive maintenance, and periodic inspection. In the event temporary storage
of end items is required. the procedures shall be submitted to the cognizant
NASA installation for review as required by paragraph 2.2 and Appendix B.

33

III I

Quality Publication 200-2

11.6

11.6 SHIPPING
The contractor shall provide for inspection and control of all article s shipped
from his plant to ensure that:
a.

All articles have been subjected to, and have satisfactorily passed
all applicable inspections and tests. Emphasis shall be given to
the physical segregation of conforming articles from those
awaiting test results or final disposition.

b.

All articles are complete and fully assembled as required.

c.

All articles have been preserved and packaged in accordance

with applicable procedures and requirements.

d.

All packaged articles have been identified and marked in accordance with applicable procedure s and specifications.

e.

In the absence of packing and marking reqUirements in the contract or subcontract, packing and marking of all articles shall
comply with Interstate Commerce Commission rules and regulations and shall ensure safe arrival and ready identification at
de stination.

f.

Articles shipped are accompanied with necessary shipping and

technical documents including handling instructions, operating
manuals, installation manuals, narrative encl .. item reports, draw...
ings, parts lists, approved waivers and/or deviations, and indication of remaining useful life of limited life items.

34

I I I

SECTION 12: STATISTICAL PLANNING, ANALYSIS,

AND QUALITY CONTROL
12.1 GENERAL
Statistical planning, analysis, test and quality control procedures shall be
utilized by the contractor whenever such procedures are adval1tageous in
maintaining required control and in obtaining a maximum of useful information from a minimum of data, time, and personnel.

12.2 STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND TEST PLANNING

Such methods as design of experiments, analysis of variance, and statistical
test planning with associated probabilities, may be utilized during the development and fabrication stages whenever advantageous in the testing program.

12.3 SAMPLING PLANS

Sampling plans may loe used when tests are destructive or records, inherent
characteristics of the article, or the noncritical application of the article
indicate that a reduction in inspection or testing can be achieved without
jeopardizing quality. When the contractor employs sampling inspection, it
shall be in accordance with applicable military standard sampling plans
(e.g., from MIL-STD-I05, MIL-STD-4l4, or Handbooks Hl06, 107, and 108).
Application of military sampling plans shall be sUbject to the disapproval of
the cognizant NASA installation. If the contractor proposes to use an alternate
sampling plan the lot size, sample size, acceptance criteria, and operating
characteristic curve shall be submitted to the cognizant NASA installation
for review as required by paragraph 2.2 and Appendix B. The standard
military sampling plan, or approved alternate sampling plan, selected or
de signed, shall provide an average quality level which is in appropriate
proportion to the reliability required of the involved end item, subsystem
or equipment thereof.
j

12.4 STATISTICAL QUALITY CONTROL CHARTS

Statistical quality control charts shall be used where their use will provide
effective control over the quality of articles produced. Charts shall be used
in those areas where processes are especiallY difficult to control. Where
used, control charts shall be maintained at a location which will provide
maximum use as an action and defect-prevention tool.

35

III I

SECTION 13: TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION

OF PERSONNEL
13.1 TRAINING
The contractor shall develop, implement, and maintain training programs for
quality control, purchasing, manufacturing, and other personnel who may have
an effect upon or who are responsible for the determination of quality.
Training programs shall include, as needed, familiarization with parts,
components, equipment, systems, inspection and test equipment for space
applications; and instruction in techniques and methods for procuring,
processing, fabricating, inspection, test, checkout, quality control, statistical
quality control, packaging, and handling. Particular emphasis shall be given
to the function and mission of the end item, to new articles, and to new or
sensitive fabrication processes or materials. The training programs shall
include sufficient training to ensure personnel proficiency and a means of
determining the proficiency of persons completing the courses. Inspector
training programs shall, where practical, include the inspection of appropriate articles with known deficiencies in order to evaluate the inspector's
proficiency, Training needs shall be periodically assessed to determine
requirements for additional training. The responsibility for determining the
need and developing curricula for training of contractor personnel relating to
all quality aspects shall re st with those organizational units re sponsible for
the quality functions.

13.2 CERTIFICATION OF FABRICATION AND INSPECTION PERSONNEL

Contractor personnel responsible for controlling special processes, or for
perform.ing fabrication and inspection operations of a specialized nature

having a significant effect upon quality, shall be certified. Certification by

the contractor or the Government inspection agency may be reviewed or
repeated by the cognizant NASA installation to verify the adequacy of such
certifications. Certification of personnel for these processes, materials,
or operations (such as welding, soldering, wiring, radiography, magnetic
particle, dye penetrant and bonding) shall include necessary training followed
by a testing procedure to ensure the proficiency of each individual. Personnel
satisfactorily completing the training and the required tests shall be given a
card, badge, or similar evidence of his certification to be carried on his
person while performing those duties. Records shall be maintained of all
individuals certified, indicating the date of their last certification. The period
of effectivity for all certifications shall be specified, and each individual
shall be recertified at the end of such period through retesting. Persons
failing the retest shall be removed from these operations and provided with
additional training as required prior to recertifying the individual. Re sults
of inspections, tests, and quality audits shall be used as indicators of the
need for additional training and recertification of fabrication and inspection
personnel without regard for established recertification periods.

37

I I I

SECTION 14: DATA REPORTING AND CORRECTIVE

ACTION
14.1 GENERAL
Procedures and responsibilities shall be established by the contractor for
the collection and analysis of all trouble, failure, and quality data resulting
from testing, inspection, and usage of the articles procured or produced.
These procedures and assigned responsibilities shall include effective
follow-up to ensure timely and adequate corrective action on all reported
deficiencies, throughout all test programs by the contractor and all subcontractors, including field, preflight, and flight operations. Data shall be
collected and analyzed to:

a.

Provide indicators of design and fabrication deficiencies so that

early corrective and preventive action can be initiated.

b.

Provide corrective and preventive action information to various

elements of the contractor l s organization to develop, improve,
and maintain required quality and reliability.

c.

Provide management with quality trends.

d.

Provide complete functional and performance history on all

articles for use in design selection, qualification testing, and
de sign improvements.

e.

Evaluate quality aspects of specifications, drawings, and other

technical documents.

f.

Determine the need for special investigations and analyses.

g.

Establish the requirements for process control charts.

h.

Provide subcontractor quality ratings and feedback information

for quality improvement of purchased articles.

i.

Determine the validity of inspection and test procedures, process

controls, and sampling plans.

j.

Provide engineering, purchasing, and fabricating personnel with

information on actual quality levels.

k.

Indicate the need for specific quality training.

Indicate the need for ce rtific ation and recertification of per sonnel.

m.

n.

Indicate producibility and variability of articles.

Establish and maintain a realistic list of limited and critical life
article s.

39

..

IIII I

Quality Publication 200-2

14.2

14.2 DATA REPORTING

Trouble, failure, and quality data on every part, component, equipment and
system shall be completely and accurately collected, processed, analyzed
and disseminated in a minimum of time to all pertinent areas within the
contractor's organization, to the suppliers concerned, and to the cognizant
NASA installation and its designated representative. The data required shall
include, but is not limited to, that specified in this section and may be
submitted in separate reports as generated.

14.2.1 Monthly Quality Status Report. Narrative comments, recommendations, tabulations of pertinent data and summary of corrective action
supplemented by graphs, photographs or exhibits shall be compiled
into a Monthly Quality Status Report which shall be submitted for
information in accordance with paragraph 2.2 and Appendix B, When
the contract requires mechanized or electronic processing of data,
the data shall be transmitted as specified and 'the Monthly Quality
Status Report shall provide a sununary of results, corrective action,
narrative information, and recommendations.
14.2.2 Laboratory and Experimental Data. Data reported on all laboratory
and experimental tests, evaluations, and failure analysis shall include
the part, component or system identification, purpose of test, condi ..
tions and type of test, complete and detailed description of all failures
or unsatisfactory operations, actual num.erical test results, photographs, oscillograrns, graphs, dUration of operating or test time, and
recommendations.
14.2.3 Quality Data. The contractor shall maintain records of inspections
and tests performed throughout the entire development, fabrication,
and assembly process. The records shall provide evidence that
required inspections and tests have been performed, including part,
component or system identification, inspection or test involved, number of conforming articles, number rejected, nature of defects and
basic cause s for rejection. The records shall be suitable in format,
accuracy, completeness, and detail to permit analysis. These data
shall cover both conforming and defective items, Where variables
data are required, the actual numerical results obtained shall be
indicated, including any instrument multiplier factors. Where data
or inforll1ation are required to be recorded, the film, tape, or other
media shall be identified with the characteristic measured and any
necessary multiplier factors. Where defective or nonconforming
articles are involved, the records shall include the results of analysis
of basic causes and corrective action taken.
14.2.4 Narrative End-Item Report. The contractor shall prepare a narrative
end-item report for each end-item submitted under the contract
schedule. The report shall COVer the periods from subassembly
installation through shipment, divided into major subheadings (e.g.,
for a vehicle stage, subassembly installations, pneumatic testing,
hydraulic testing, optical alignment checks, subsystems test, end-item
test and inspection, weight, center of gravity, packaging, packing,
and shipment), The report shall identify the model and serial number
40

"

~~_"'--.""",~_----------------

"

14.3

Data Reporting and Corrective Acti04

of the end item and shan include, but is not limited to, information
and comment on the following:
a. Final configuration,

b. Replacements made during installation, test, and final checkout. Indicate serial and part numbers of articles removed and
those substituted,
c. Nature of troubles and malfunctions encountered,
d. Corrective action taken or pending,
e. Extent of retests and tests not completed, and

f.

Total operating hours for each system and subsystem,

14.2.5 Operational Data. Operational data reported shall include a complete

description of operating or mission objectives, operating time, numerical results obtained, anticipated and actual functional and stress
conditions, complete and detailed failure data including identification
and description of part, component or equipment that failed, the system or subsystem involved, conditions at time of failure, operating
time to failure, mode of failure, date and geographical location of
failure, how failure was observed, and recommendations.

14.3 CORRECTIVE ACTION

A program shall be established by the contractor to feed back information
and take corrective action on all troubles, m.alfunctions, deficiencies and
failures discovered by the contractor, subcontractors and Government

representatives during inspection and test at the plant, at test sites, at

launch sites, and during flight operations. The contractor shall operate a
failure-analysis function with necessary laboratory facilities at his plant
site, and at the launch site as specified in the contract. Failures and malfunctions occurring at the contractor's plant shall be analyzed at the plant,
as practical; those occurring at the prelaunch operations site shall be
analyzed at the site, as practical. Data reporting, analysis, and corrective
action shall involve closed loops providing completed action for all phases
of development, fabrication, te st, and use of system hardware. The program
shall be documented and, as a minimum, provide that the following steps be

taken by the contractor:

a.

Immediate notification to the applicable contractor's de sign,

procurement, reliability, quality control, fabrication, and supplier organizations that corrective and preventive action is
required. Critical failures or malfunctions (those affecting
safety, mission, delivery schedule, or early effectivity) shall
be so identified, given priority handling, and immediately reported to the NASA installation and its designated representatives, as mutually agreed.

b.

Analysis of the pertinent data and an examination of the deficient

or failed articles to determine the nature and basic causes of
deficiencies or failures. The deficient or failed articles shall
41

----_

._------_."-"_.,-~-~,-""'.'-'

-~,

III '

Quality Publication 200-2

14.3

be made available to the NASA installation or its designated

representative at all times. The NASA installation shall be
provided with samples of deficient or failed articles upon

request.

c.

d.

Analysis of malfunctions, troubles, and failures traceable to

human or operator error shall be made by persons skilled in
human factors engineering. Analysis of malfunctions, troubles,
and failures traceable to design, purchasing, fabrication, or
inspection and test procedures shall be analyzed by engineering,
reliability and quality control organizations, as pertinent.
Prompt corrective and preventive action. Also documentation of
the action taken or in process to correct existing deficiencies
and nlinirnize or elilninate future occurrences.

e.

Rework of all affected articles in the plant, at test sites, and at

operating sites.

f.

Review to determine the adequacy of the corrective and preventive

actions proposed or taken.

g.

Notation of each deficiency in reports prepared by the contractor

until adequate action has been taken.

42

SECTION 15: AUDIT OF QUALITY PROGRAM

PERFORMANCE
15.1 PERFORMANCE OF AUDITS
The contractor shall audit the adequacy of quality program procedures,
inspections, tests, process controls, and certifications perform.ed in each
area on a timely basis. The audit shall be performed by an impartial team
of quality program supervisors and/or quality engineers familiar with all
written procedure s and standards applicable to the areas being audited, but
not having specific line responsibilities in those areas. The audit shall include
examination of all quality operations and documentation, comparison with
established requirements, notification of required corrective action, and
follow up to assess results of corrective action. An example of examination
of an inspection operation would include:

a~

A reinspection of work accepted by the inspectors in the area,

b.

An investigation of the availability of all required documents,

c.

A determination of the familiarity of personnel concerned with

required documents,

d.

A review of failure analysis and corrective action taken, and

e.

An evaluation of the adequacy of acceptance and rejection documents.

Sufficient audits shall be performed on a random, unannounced basis in order

to be effective in revealing quality deficiencies requiring correction.

15.2 AUDIT REPORTS AND CORRECTIVE ACTION

The results of audit in each area shall be covered by a report to appropriate
contractor management and be made available to the designated NASA representative with appropriate recommendations for correction of deficiencies.
Action shall be taken by the contractor's management to enSure effective
correction of the reported deficiencies. Follow-up reviews of deficient areas
shall be made on a more frequent basis until the required corrections have
been made. Quarterly summaries of quality program performance audits,
corrective and preventive actions taken, and results of reviews of deficient
areas shall be prepared and distributed to contractor top management, to the
cognizant NASA installation and to its designated representative.

43

APPENDIX A
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
The following definitions apply to terms used in this publication.
Acceptance.
the

The act of an authorized representative of the Government by which

Government assents to ownership by it of existing and identified articles, or

approves specific services rendered as partial or complete performance of the

contract.
Article. A unit of hardware or any portion thereof required by the contract.
Characteristic. Any dimensional, visual, functional, mechanical, electrical, chemical, physical, or material feature or property; and any process -control element
which describes and establishes the design, fabrication, and operating requirements
of an article.
Component. A part, assembly, or combination of parts, subassemblies, or assemblies mounted together to perform a design function.

Contract. The prime contract executed by the Government and the prime contractor
which, in addition to the terms and conditions thereof, includes by reference or
otherwise, specifications, drawings, exhibits, and other data necessary to its

proper performance.

;r,

(~

Contract Schedule. That portion of a Government prime contract which describes

the articles or services desired for that particular contract. Not to be confused
with contract time-schedule or delivery schedule.
Contractor. The individual(s} or concern(s} who enter into a prime contract with
the Government.
Deviation.

A specific authorization, granted before the fact, to depart from a

particular requirement of specifications or related documents.

End Item. A space system. or any of its principal system or subsystem elements,
launch vehicle, spacecraft, ground support system, propulsion engine, or

e.ga,

guidance system. Also, articles covered by major subcontracts where NPC 200-2
is invoked by the NASA installation or bya system prime contractor. Also, articles
which will be delivered direct to a Government installation or provided as GFP to
a contractor.
Inspection. The examination, including te sting, of contract work, article 5, and
services to determine conformance to contract requirements.

Inspection Agency. A Government agency, or an agency acting on behalf of the

Government, to determine that contracted articles and services conform to
technical requirements.
Interface. The junction points or the points within or between systems or subsystems where matching or accommodation must be properly achieved in order to
make their operation compatible with the successful operation of all other functional entities in the space vehicle and its ground support.
A-i

Quality Publication 200 - 2

Appendix A

NASA's Designated Representative. A representative of the NASA installation

stationed at the supplier I s plant or a representative of the inspection agency to
whom quality assurance functions have been delegated.

0"

NASA Installation. A major organizational unit of the NASA; includes Headquarters

and field installations. Field installations are assigned specific missions in the
NASA space program.
Part. One piece, or two or more pieces joined together, which are not normally
subject to disassembly without destruction of designed use,
Procuring Inspection Agency. Inspection agency at the plant of the supplier placing
a subcontract.
Quality Assurance. A planned and systematic pattern of all actions necessary to
provide adequate confidence that the end items will perform satisfactorily in actual
ope rations.
Quality Control. A management function to control the quality of article s to conform to quality standards.
Reliability.

The probability that a system, subsystem, component, or part will

perform its required functions under defined conditions at a designated time and
for a specified operating period.

Source Inspection Agency.

the purchased articles.

Inspection agency at the plant of the actual producer of

Space System. A system consisting of launchvehicle(s), spacecraft, ground support

equipm.ent, and test hardware, used in launching, operating, and maintaining vehicles
or craft in space.

0
<

Space Vehicle. A launch vehicle and its associated spacecraft.

Subcontract. A contract or purchase order entered into under a Government prime
contract by a supplier. May include orders issued to activities or subdivisions
within the supplier's organization.
Subcontractor. The individual(s) or concern(s) who enter into a contract or purchase order under a Government prime contract.
Supplier.
A contractor or subcontractor actually performing the
producing the contract articles.

services or

System. One of the principal functioning entities comprising the project hardware
and related operational services within a project or flight mission. Ordinarily, a
system is the first major subdivision of project work. Similarly, a subsystem is a
functioning entity within a system. A system also may be a procedural entity which
accomplishes a specific task, e.g., a quality system.
Systems Integration. The management process by which the systems of a project
(for example, the launch vehicle, the spacecraft, and its supporting ground equipment and operational procedures) are made compatible, in order to achieve the
purpose of the project or the given flight mission.
Waiver. Granted use or acceptance of an article which does not meet specified
requirerrlents.

A-ii

APPENDIX B
QUALITY PROGRAM DOCUMENTATION
(See paragraph 2.2)

1.

The contractor shall submit the following for approval by the cognizant NASA
Installation:
Referenced
in
Paragraph
a.
b.
c.

2.

a.
c.
d.
e.

f.

4.3.5
7.4.2.1
7.4.2.2

The contractor shall submit the folloWing for review:

b.

3.

... .. . .

Qualification Status List

End-Item Test Plan . .
End-Item Test and Inspection Procedures.

. .

Quality Program Plan

.. "
Test and Inspection Procedure s
Frace's s Control Procedure s .
Results of Special Measuring and Test Equipment Evaluations
Storage Procedures for End Items .
Special Sanlpling Plans; Application of Sampling . .

3.1
7.3.1

73.4
9.4

11.5
12.3

The contractor shall submit the following for information:

a.

b.

Monthly Quality Status Report . .

Quarterly Summaries of Quality Program Performance
Audi t s . . . .
'II

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

"

,.

..

14.2.1
..

15.2

B-i
1:r U. S. GOVERNMENT PRlNT1NG OFFICE; 1962. 0 - 63542:6