Quality System
The supplier shall maintain a Quality Assurance Program in accordance with ISO 9001 (latest revision) or an equivalent standard such as AS9100 or NADCAP.
Flowdown Requirements
All applicable requirements referenced in the customer’s purchasing documents, including these quality clauses, shall be flowed down to all sub-tier suppliers.
Change Authority
The Supplier shall provide written advance notification to Abston Machine of any changes to tooling, facilities, materials, manufacturing processes, assembly, handling, testing, or any other changes at the supplier or sub-tier supplier that could affect the contracted product.
Nonconformance Reporting
Customer grants no MRB authority to the Organization or its sub-tier suppliers. Repair is not permitted under this clause.
Definitions:
Nonconformance: A condition where an article, material, or service does not meet contract, drawing, specification, or approved product requirements.
Rework: Actions performed to bring an article into full compliance with drawing requirements. Detailed rework instructions shall be provided or referenced.
Repair: A method of correcting a nonconforming article to a usable condition, although it may not fully conform to drawing or specification requirements. Repairs are not permitted unless specifically authorized.
Nonconformances shall be reported to Abston Machine within five (5) working days after discovery. The organization shall ensure that nonconforming product is identified and controlled to prevent unintended use or delivery.
The report shall include:
1. A detailed description of the nonconformance, including location and the applicable drawing or specification requirement.
2. The inspection method that identified the discrepancy.
3. Any actions taken prior to disclosure, including calibration traceability information where applicable.
4. Whether the nonconformance can be completely reworked to meet drawing or specification requirements.
A Cause Corrective Action Report shall be provided when requested.
Material Identification, Damage and Count
Each article supplied under this Purchase Order shall be positively identified with the ordered part number. All materials and services are subject to inspection for compliance with the Purchase Order and all applicable quality clauses.
Material substitutions, process substitutions, quantity variations, or shipment splits shall not be made without prior written authorization from the Customer.
Certificate of Conformance
A Certificate of Conformance shall accompany every shipment confirming that all material, parts, or assemblies comply with the purchase order requirements.
When applicable, the certification shall include:
• Customer Purchase Order Number
• Part Number
• Manufacturing or Processing Location
• Manufacturer’s Lot, Heat, Batch, Date Code and/or Serial Number
• Quantity and Unit of Measure
• Signature and Date of an Authorized Company Representative
Material test reports, process certifications, and inspection records shall be provided upon Customer request. The organization shall perform inspections as necessary to verify product conformity.
10 Year Record Retention
The Organization and its subcontractors shall maintain objective evidence of all inspections, testing, results, and dispositions of nonconforming products for a minimum period of ten (10) years after delivery.
Records shall maintain traceability to the associated articles, including material heat numbers, lot numbers, serial numbers, and manufacturing history. Records shall be made available to the Customer or Government representatives upon request and shall not be destroyed without written Customer approval.
Right of Access
Work performed under this Purchase Order is subject to surveillance or inspection by Abston Machine, its customers, or Government representatives at the supplier’s facility or any sub-tier supplier’s facility. The organization will be notified if such surveillance or inspection is required.
Material Changes / Obsolescence
The Supplier shall provide advance written notification to the Abston Machine Buyer regarding any changes to materials, including changes in manufacturer, availability, or formulation.
Notification shall include the change type, current availability, and the last available purchase date.
Prevention of Counterfeit Parts
All materials and components shall be purchased only from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Original Component Manufacturers (OCMs), or their authorized distributors unless prior written approval has been obtained from Abston Machine.
Statistical Techniques / Process Control
Where applicable, suppliers shall identify and implement appropriate statistical techniques to establish, control, and verify process capability and product characteristics. Documented procedures shall be maintained, and SPC records shall be retained for a minimum of 10 years and made available upon request.
Design & Development Control / Test Specimens for Design Approval
Where applicable, suppliers shall identify requirements for design, testing, inspection, production process verification, statistical techniques, product acceptance, and critical characteristics. Abston Machine reserves the right to require test specimens for design approval, inspection, verification, investigation, or auditing.
Awareness of Personnel
The Organization shall ensure that personnel performing work under its control understand their contribution to product and service conformity, product safety, and the importance of ethical behavior.