The Nation’s Combat Logistics Support Agency E s t a b l i s h e d 1 9 6 1

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Supplier Operations 

Commodities Webinar Series

Daniele Kurze

Director, Supplier Operations

Commodities

April 13, 2022

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Agenda

• Opening Remarks

– Daniele Kurze, Director, Supplier Operations Commodities, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) 

Aviation

• Facilitator

– Shannon Kersch, Chief, Post Award Commodities Division, DLA Aviation

• Presenters

– Tim Farley, Government Test Program Manager, DLA Aviation

– Tyler Bishop, Contractor Test Program Manager, DLA Aviation

– Brian Hartman, Engineering Technical Manager, DLA Aviation

– LaShunta Horne, Supervisory Contract Administrator, DLA Aviation

• Open Q&A

– Brook Mason, Hill AFB Lab Process 

– Jesse Hornblum, NAVSUP WSS, N23E Engineering Division Head

– Dan Lenza, NAVSUP WSS, N23 Source Development Department Director

– Randy Byrum, Quality Assurance Manager 

– Schelica Grant, Supervisory Contract Administrator, ZT Team 

– Wendy Epps, Team Lead Contract Administrator, ZT Team 

– Jeremy Prince, Contracting Team Lead

Briefer: Daniele Kurze 2
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How to Submit a Question

in the Q&A

• Use round and dashed bullets only 

– Alternating when appropriate

• Use Civilian Dates (i.e., Month DD, YYYY)

• Can use bold, regular, or combination of Arial font only 

– Font should not exceed 24pt or be smaller than 12pt

• (Limited Exceptions)

– If necessary, use “Arial Narrow” to save room (i.e. in graph labels)

• Note sources of significant figures in bottom left corner

– Include “As of” date by slide, where appropriate

Briefer: Daniele Kurze 3
The Nation’s Combat Logistics Support Agency E s t a b l i s h e d 1 9 6 1

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Government 

Testing

Government First Article Testing

Government Production Lot Testing

Tim Farley, Government Test 

Program Manager, DLA Aviation

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Government FAT/PLT Definition

Government First Article Testing: (FATG) This test is to show 

manufacturer capability and is completed at a Government Test Lab 

with witnessed Origin Inspection by a qualified Government Defense 

Contract Management Agency Quality Assurance Representative 

(DCMA QAR).

Government Production Lot Testing: (PLTG) This Test indicates 

the manufacturer’s ability to create a consistent product within 

prescribed tolerances (quality). This is done at la Government Test 

Lab with witnessed Origin Inspection by a qualified Government 

Defense Contract Management Agency Quality Assurance 

Representative (DCMA QAR).

Briefer: Tim Farley 5
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Contract Cited Testing Responsibilities & Roles

• The Product Assurance Branch serves as the Program 

Management Team for the various test facilities. We determine, 

monitor, and track Lab performance for contractually mandated 

testing.

• Our office serves as the Subject Matter Experts for testing 

between DLA Partners, contracting, and technical staff.

• Additionally, we identify and coordinate the corrective actions 

required to resolve deficiencies that may impede the testing 

process.

Government Evaluation & Testing

Briefer: Tim Farley 
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Government 

Product Evaluation & Testing

Issues FAU Division Assists In Resolving

• Inadequate or Missing Documentation: First Article Test Program 

Manager’s (FATPM) will contact resolution partners to expedite obtaining 

missing TDP Technical Data or MFG certification package data, as requested.

• Inadequate or Missing Contract Language and/or Testing Requirements:

FATPM’s coordinate with Post Award Administrator’s (PAA) to assist in the 

identification and verification of missing or incorrect contract content and offer 

suggestions for necessary modification issuance. 

• Insufficient Sample Quantity: FATPM’s will assist resolution partners to 

verify quantity shortages/overages and make recommendations for corrective 

action and possible contract modifications.

Briefer: Tim Farley 
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Government 

Product Evaluation & Testing

Issues We Assist In Resolving (cont.)

• Repeated First Article Submission for the Same Materials/Vendor: 

FATPM’s screen lab work-in-process lists to identify parent/child duplicates 

and orchestrate returns with recommendations for child contract waivers 

following parent approvals.

• First Article Resubmission Without Contracted Authority (Mods): FATPM 

encounter First Article Test (FAT) re-submissions without PAA authorization. 

Re-submission negotiations needs to occur with appropriate modification, 

before sample is sent back to the Lab. FATPM coordination for obtaining the 

required modification necessary to allow testing progress.

All Resubmittals (government/contractor) should be submitted to:

DLATesting@dla.mil

Submitting Resubmittals via PAR, US Mail, FEDX, UPS or to Labs will significantly increase processing time. 

Briefer: Tim Farley 
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Test CLIN Combinations

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Examples:

• Very Complex Parts – Critical Flight Safety (CSI):

• FATG & PLTG w/Form-Fit-Function (FFF)

(most expensive; most time consuming) 

• Complex Parts – Critical Application:

• FATG & PLTC

• Non-critical:

• No Testing

(least expensive)

17 Possible Contract Test CLIN Combinations

Briefer: Tim Farley 
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Government FAT Tracking

FAU Test Tracking Tools (Access Database and Share Point):

• DLA Aviation FAT Tracker Database providing real time Work in Process (WIP)

• Lab or completion status can be requested through the Post Award Administrator 

(Post Award Request (PAR)

• Database is shared to DCMA

Briefer: Tim Farley 
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Process Flow 

Briefer: Tim Farley 
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Product Verification Testing

Product Verification Testing Clause (PVT)

• Product has past quality problems (item) 

• Contractor has past quality problems 

• Performance specs (supplier base) 

• Industrial base past performance has been unacceptable or has 

experienced major problems (processes) 

• Complex or sensitive production/manufacturing set ups are required 

(processes) 

• Emerging technology mandating significant changes in production 

manufacturing (processes) 

• First-time buys 

• Critical Safety Items (CSIs)

• No other Quality verification testing (FAT/PLT) is specified in the award

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*FAR Clause 52.246-2

Briefer: Tim Farley 
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Pending Initiatives

DLA’s continued process improvement changes:

• Reduction of First Article Testing

• Increased use of alternative testing 

• Use of source qualifications prior to solicitation MFG to ESA direct 

via Tech Data Package (TDP) Source Qualification Statement 

(SQS).

• Increased use of Production Lot Testing (PLT) vs First Article 

Testing (FAT)

• Improvements to the Testing Waiver Process

• Continued streamlining of waiver criteria for FAT and PLT (Parent/Child 

Relationship) 

Briefer: Tim Farley 
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GFAT/PLT

Sample Returns 

FAR 52-209-4

Contract language updated for test sample returns: 

• At its discretion, the Government may return FAT units to 

the contractor at no cost to the Government. The 

contractor shall submit the return address and pre-paid 

return label or shipping account for payment. In 

accordance with FAR 52.209-4.sample Returns on 

Government Testing.

Briefer: Tim Farley 14
The Nation’s Combat Logistics Support Agency E s t a b l i s h e d 1 9 6 1

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Contractor Testing

Contractor First Article Testing

Contractor Production Lot Testing

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Tyler Bishop, Contractor Test 

Program Manager,

DLA Aviation
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Contractor FAT/PLT

• Contractor First Article Testing: (FATC) This test is to show 

manufacturer capability and is completed at the Manufacturer’s 

Facility and witnessed by a qualified Government Defense 

Contract Management Agency Quality Assurance 

Representative (DCMA QAR).

• Contractor Production Lot Testing: (PLTC) This Test 

indicates the manufacturer’s ability to create a consistent 

product within prescribed tolerances (quality). This is done in 

the Manufacturer’s Facility and witnessed by a qualified 

Government Defense Contract Management Agency Quality 

Assurance Representative (DCMA QAR).

Briefer: Tyler Bishop 16
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Process Flow 

Briefer: Tyler Bishop
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Contractor FAT/PLT

PROs

• Typically, Less Expensive than 

Government based testing 

Average Price Range: $0.00 -

$2,500 (report cost only)

• Quicker to accomplish, usually 

only taking hours, instead of 

days to complete

• DCMA QAR Verified 

• Limited handling required 

reducing damage and loss

• Quality Based Test

CONs 

• Not as thorough as Government 

FAT/PLT

• Not reviewed by a DLA 

Engineer/User (Having specific 

knowledge of aircraft)

• Potential of not catching 

technical data package errors 

on FAT Submission (Missing 

Engineering Change Orders 

(ECO)/Exception Data prior to 

production items. 

Briefer: Tyler Bishop 18
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CFAT/PLT Process

Sample 

Production

•Contractor production of First Article /Production Lot Sample(s) 

•FOLLOW GUIDANCE IN CONTRACT - DO NOT SUBMIT SAMPLES WITH TEST REPORT UNLESS CONTRACT 

REQUIRES ENGINEERING REVIEW 

Test Report

•KTR Testing

• Test Report Preparation

•Review/Approval by Government Official (DCMA)

•KTR Submission of Test Report & Signed DD 250 (or DD 1222) to DLA

•SUBMIT ALL CONTRACTOR FATT/PLT TEST REPORTS TO: 

Government 

Evaluation

•Government Evaluation Begins when Test Report Received

•Test Coordinator review, create internal DLA workflow (ZT)

•Product Specialist review, recommendation to Acquisition Specialist 

•Contracting Officer review

Vendor 

Notification

•Contracting Officer provides notification to Contractor

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DLATesting@dla.mil

Vendor POC/email information is 

pulled via Dibbs. *Please ensure 

this is up to date!

Award

Briefer: Tyler Bishop
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Timeline for FATC / PLTC Submissions

Once CFAT / CPLT report is received from testing inbox:

• TPM will review and create an internal Quality Notifications (QN) “ZT” and 

assign to the PS (2 business days)

• Product Specialist reviews the test report and provide recommendations to 

the Contract Administrator (3 business days). For conditional FAT approvals, 

PS will also issue Quality Letter of Instruction (QALI) to DCMA QAR

• Contract Administrator issues the vendor a notification letter, issues 

applicable delivery date modifications, and posts the service CLIN to allow 

vendor to invoice to DFAS. (20 business days)

• Note: If a contract delivery date lapses due to DLA’s delay in processing test 

results, a modification will be issued to adjust the delivery date, per the 

quoted schedule. 

Briefer: Tyler Bishop 20
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CFAT/CPLT 

Test Report Submission

Package Should Include: 

• Material and Process Certifications

• Dimensional/Visual Inspection Reports

• Signed/Inspected DD250 and/or DD1222 from 

government representative (e.g. DCMA, unless otherwise 

specified on contract/delivery order)

• Unless a Government Fit Check is required, FAT/PLT 

exhibits are NOT to be shipped to DLA Aviation (or any 

other government facility) for review. 

Only the test report is submitted to DLA

Briefer: Tyler Bishop 21
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DLA Aviation 

Resubmission/Rebuttal Process

Upon notification that a FAT/PLT/PVT failed:

• The testing team contract administrator will provide a 

notification letter to the vendor. 

– Request that return information (address/shipping 

account details) for the samples be provided within 7

business days on the vendor notification letter. This 

allows the vendor to review the samples and possibly 

rebut the initial findings.

• Vendor has total of 45 days to notify DLA after notification 

of failure of intent to resubmit. 

• The Testing team contract administrator will then issue a 

resubmission modification that authorizes the 

resubmission, revise the delivery schedule, and address 

the cost to resubmit.

Briefer: Tyler Bishop 22
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Rebuttal Process

(Rebuttal Letter)

• If a vendor wishes to rebut the findings of a FAT/PLT/PVT:

– Submit an official rebuttal letter on company 

letterhead to DLATesting@dla.mil and copy the testing 

team administrator Contract Administrator that sent 

the official vendor notification letter of test results.

– On rebuttal letter: Provide all technical or pictorial 

evidence as to why this is being challenged

Briefer: Tyler Bishop 23
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Rebuttal Process Cont.

• DLA will then:

- Product Specialist will review the rebuttal for validity

- Product Specialist will submit the rebuttal and all evidence 

supporting the rebuttal to the corresponding lab/ESA either 

directly via email (for Hill AFB testing) or through 339 

system (for all other government tests).

- If the rebuttal is valid: The lab will provide a new disposition 

letter and findings and DLA will repeat the ZT/Vendor 

notification process with the new findings.

- If the rebuttal is deemed invalid: The Testing team contract 

administrator will notify the vendor that the original 

disposition stands. 

- Typical timeline for decision on rebuttals is 45-60 days from 

receipt of rebuttal package from vendor. 

- Total average timeframe for rebuttal process 90 days.

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Reminder

• Test Reports

– Contractor FAT/PLT Test Reports should be submitted to: 

DLATesting@dla.mil

Submitting Test Reports via PAR, US Mail, FEDX, UPS will significantly increase 

processing time and contractor notification. 

• Resubmittal

– Resubmittals (government/contractor) should be submitted to: 

DLATesting@dla.mil

Submitting Resubmittals via PAR, US Mail, FEDX, UPS will significantly increase 

processing time. 

• Return Labels

– The contractor shall submit the return address and pre-paid return label or 

shipping account for payment.

Briefer: Tyler Bishop 25
The Nation’s Combat Logistics Support Agency E s t a b l i s h e d 1 9 6 1

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Engineering 

Support Activity 

Brian Hartman, Engineering Technical 

Manager, DLA Aviation

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DLA 339

• Electronic request form created by the Product Specialist 

and submitted to the Military Services Engineering 

Support Activities (ESA) requesting technical information 

to support DLA procurements

Briefer: Brian Hartman 
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Reasons for Initiating a 339 

Request

• The material requires an alternate method of support 

• The contractor submits an alternate offer 

• Waiver or deviation is requested

• Technical Data Package (TDP) Development or Validation is required

• Reverse engineering candidate or requires reverse engineering approval 

• A Contract Data Requirements List is required 

• The criticality of an NSN must be established or challenged 

• A surplus offer needs to be evaluated 

• Other miscellaneous tech requirements

• Testing Rebuttals

• FAT/PLT Test Requirements

Briefer: Brian Hartman 
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339 ESA Workflow Process

Briefer: Brian Hartman 
The Nation’s Combat Logistics Support Agency E s t a b l i s h e d 1 9 6 1

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When to Submit a 

Post Award Request 

(PAR)

LaShunta Horne, Supervisory Contract 

Administrator, DLA Aviation

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Post Award Request Codes

• VR15 Request for Variance (from National Stock Number Technical Data)

Allows vendors to submit a DD Form 1694 Request for Deviation and DD Form1998 Waiver, 

Deviation, or Engineering Change Request for Engineering Support Activities to consider 

Requests For Variance.

• VR16 First Article (Government or Contractor) 

Allows vendors to inquire about the status of First Article Submissions.

Briefer: LaShunta Horne
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Resolution: 

~ 30 days

- Change Contract Delivery Date

- Quantity Reduction

- Cancellation Request

- Defense Contract Management 

Agency Office Change

- Inspection/Acceptance Location 

Change

- Contractor First Article Test 

Report

- Informal Modification/Credit 

Memoranda

- Erroneous Invoice Submissions

- First Article Test Submission 

Notification

- COVID-19

- Award Error

Resolution: 

~ 60 days

- Undefined Other Vendor Requests

- Change Contract Delivery Date with 

Consideration

- Requests for Variance

- Financial Queries/Payment Issues

- First Article Test Approvals/ 

Resubmittals/Waiver Request/ 

Rebuttals

- Clause Additions/Removals

- Contract Overruns

- Duty Free Material Processing

- CLIN Additions

- Packaging CAGE Changes

- Unclear Verbiage from CDRs, PARS

- Vendor Shipment Module

Resolution: 

Greater than 60 days

- Change in Contract Delivery Date 

(Unresolved First Article 

Test/Production Lot Test)

- Request for Variance: Delayed 

Engineering Support Activity Reply

- Multiple Post Award Requests for 

Single Contract

- Price Changes

- Payment/DFAS Issues (Technical 

Quality/Resolution Specialist support 

required)

- Unit of Issue Change (Technical 

Quality support)

- Part Number/National Stock Number 

Updates

- Technical Data Package Updates/ 

Corrections

- Source Approval Requests

- Novation Agreements 

- DD Form 254 (Unclassified Material)

- Cost/Price Analysis: Increases

- Tooling Issues

Post Award Request: 

Processing Times

Briefer: LaShunta Horne
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