Overview
This section provides a specific definition for "item of supply" as it pertains to the acquisition of major systems, encompassing everything from individual parts to complex subsystems.
Key Rules
- Scope of Components: Includes any part, component, subassembly, assembly, or subsystem that is integral to a major system.
- Lifecycle Inclusion: Covers property replaced during the service life of the system, specifically including spare and replenishment parts.
- Specific Exclusions: Packaging and labeling materials used for shipment or identification are explicitly excluded from the definition of an "item."
Practical Implications
- Contractors must distinguish between the functional hardware/software (items of supply) and the materials used for logistics and transport (packaging) when categorizing deliverables and reporting costs.
- The definition ensures that maintenance and sustainability components are treated with the same regulatory weight as the original components of the major system.