Overview
FAR 46.601 requires federal agencies to establish their own internal procedures and instructions for documenting the inspection and acceptance of supplies and services.
Key Rules
- Agency Responsibility: Each agency must prescribe specific instructions for the use, preparation, and distribution of material inspection and receiving reports (MIRR).
- Documentation Types: The rule covers both formal inspection/receiving reports and commercial shipping documents or packing lists.
- Evidence of Performance: These documents serve as the official evidence that Government inspection (per FAR 46.401) and Government acceptance (per FAR 46.501) have been completed.
Practical Implications
- Contractors must adhere to agency-specific documentation requirements (such as the DD Form 250 for the Department of Defense) to ensure the legal transfer of goods and to trigger the payment process.
- Lack of proper documentation as prescribed by agency procedures can lead to delays in acceptance and non-compliance with Prompt Payment Act requirements.