Overview
FAR 14.210 serves as a cross-reference directing contracting officers and contractors to FAR Subpart 9.2 for the specific policies and procedures governing products that require qualification prior to contract award.
Key Rules
- Regulatory Linkage: Explicitly connects the sealed bidding process (Part 14) with the broader requirements for qualified products and manufacturers (Subpart 9.2).
- Pre-qualification Requirement: Implies that when a solicitation specifies a "qualified product," the item must be tested and pass specific criteria to be included on a Qualified Products List (QPL) before a contract is awarded.
- Scope of Qualification: Refers to the standardized processes for managing Qualified Products Lists (QPLs), Qualified Manufacturers Lists (QMLs), and Qualified Bidders Lists (QBLs).
Practical Implications
- In sealed bidding, a bid offering a product that is not already qualified (or has not met the qualification requirements by the time of award) is typically considered non-responsive and will be rejected.
- Contractors must proactively seek qualification under the standards in Subpart 9.2 well before a solicitation is issued, as the testing and approval process can be lengthy.