Overview
This section defines acceptance as the formal acknowledgment that supplies or services conform to the contract's quality and quantity requirements and establishes the timing and documentation standards for this process.
Key Rules
- Definition of Acceptance: It constitutes an official acknowledgment that the provided supplies or services meet the specific quality and quantity requirements of the contract, subject to specific exceptions.
- Timing: Acceptance can occur before, at the time of, or after delivery, depending strictly on the contract's terms and conditions.
- Quality Assurance Prerequisite: Government contract quality assurance actions must ordinarily be completed before acceptance is granted.
- Documentation: Acceptance is formally evidenced by the execution of an acceptance certificate on a receiving report, inspection form, or commercial shipping document/packing list.
Practical Implications
- Acceptance is a critical milestone that typically shifts the risk of loss from the contractor to the government and serves as the primary prerequisite for payment.
- Contractors must ensure that all quality assurance steps are finalized and formal documentation is signed to avoid delays in the billing and closeout processes.