Overview
FAR 9.201 establishes the foundational terminology for qualification requirements, specifically defining the distinct lists used to pre-verify the capabilities of products, bidders, and manufacturers.
Key Rules
- Qualified Bidders List (QBL): Identifies specific bidders who have demonstrated that their products meet all necessary technical and quality standards or who have otherwise fulfilled the government's qualification criteria.
- Qualified Manufacturers List (QML): Identifies manufacturers who have successfully passed examination and testing protocols for specific products to ensure they meet established requirements.
- Pre-Verification Requirement: Both definitions center on the prerequisite of examination and testing prior to being listed, ensuring that quality assurance occurs before the formal solicitation process.
Practical Implications
- Barriers to Entry: For procurements involving a QBL or QML, contractors cannot simply bid; they must proactively undergo a potentially lengthy and costly qualification process before a contract opportunity is even advertised.
- Risk Mitigation: These lists allow the government to streamline the source selection process by ensuring all eligible participants have already proven their technical capability to deliver high-specification items.