PROCEDURES FOR ALTERNATIVE SKIP-LOT END ITEM INSPECTION 

REQUIREMENTS FOR GOVERNMENT END-ITEM VERIFICATION INSPECTIONS 

FOR OPERATIONAL RATIONS 

REVISION 1 – MARCH 2001 

(Supersedes Procedure Dated September 1999) 

I. GENERAL: These Alternative End Item Inspection guidelines were developed using 

the guidance of ANSI/ASQC S1 An Attribute Skip-Lot Sampling Program (with 

modifications) and the general requirements cited in operational rations contracts. These 

procedures apply to Government end-item verification inspections only. It is the intent of

the Government to rely on the contractor/subcontractor’s inspection and test results and 

minimize Government end item verification inspection and testing. All requests for 

clarification/interpretation of the procedures cited herein shall be directed to DSCPHROS.

A. End item Inspection Requirement: All operational rations 

contractors/subcontractors performing under the higher level contract quality 

requirements are required to perform or have performed by their suppliers, 

contractually required component or end item inspections and tests in accordance 

with the contract/specification/CID.

B. There are three basic states for skip-lot inspection: 

1. State 1: Lot-by-lot inspection. This is the starting point for skip-lot inspection. 

2. State 2: Skip-lot inspection. When the contractor and the product qualify for 

skip lot inspection, the program switches to State 2. 

3. State 3: Skip-lot interrupt. Skip-lot inspection may be temporarily interrupted, 

under circumstances described below, resulting in a transfer to state 3. 

C. Product/Characteristic Eligible for Skip-lot Inspection: Skip-lot procedures, when 

applied, should be applied to individual examinations independently, and on a 

product by product basis. An individual examination is defined, in general, as the 

examination required under each separate paragraph or table of examination listed in 

the contract/specification/CID (see paragraph VIII.A). 

D. Product/Characteristic Ineligible for Skip-lot Inspection: Pouch integrity

examinations performed on thermostabilized items packaged in flexible pouches and 

cheese spread (the 200 sample units examined for pouch critical defects, internal 

pressure, and other pouch examinations/tests) and can examinations performed on 

ALL products packaged in metal or polymeric tray pack cans (examinations that 

include visual, tri/quad laminate lid integrity, can seam teardowns, and other 

packaging examinations cited in the U.S. Standards for Conditions of Food 

Containers, can manufacturing guidelines, specification/CID, and contract) DO NOT 

qualify for skip-lot inspection. 

1 
E. Approval for Skip-Lot Inspection (Flow # 1): DSCP-HROS will approve and 

assign QSP ratings. The Government Quality Assurance Representative (GQAR) 

shall initiate skip-lot inspection when a product becomes eligible for skip-lot 

inspection based on Government verification inspections results of each product and 

notification that the contractor’s Quality System Plan (QSP) was rated acceptable by 

DSCP-HROS. 

F. Compliance of Product: Acceptance of material by the Government as complying 

with required end item requirements cited in the contract/specification should be 

based on the contractor/subcontractor’s end item inspection results when the skip-lot 

inspection provisions are met. As long as the contractor/subcontractor’s inspection 

and testing system is reliable, the Government Quality Assurance Representative 

(GQAR) will sample product for verification end item inspection and testing on a 

skip-lot basis. The GQAR for the Government agency having jurisdiction for 

performing Government QA at the contractor or subcontractor’s plant upon 

ascertaining end item compliance may permit shipment, provided all other 

requirements of the contract are met. 

G. Standby Component or End Item Samples. The Government reserves the right to 

withdraw and hold standby samples of component or end item product or both 

(quantity of which shall be the same sample size as that required for end item

inspection and testing for the lot size represented) for Government end item 

verification inspection purposes. Unused samples will be returned to the 

contractor/subcontractor after inspection indicates product compliance. 

II. DSCP’S RESPONSIBILITIES: 

 

A. Contracting Officers’ Responsibilities: The Contracting Officer can temporarily 

interrupt, discontinue, or disqualify a contractor from skip-lot inspection if he/she 

determines that skip-lot is not in the best interest of the Government. The Government

verification inspection may also be further decreased (e.g., from skip-lot inspection 

frequency 1 in 4 to 1 in 6) by the Contracting Officer if he/she determines that this is in 

the best interest of the Government. 

 B. DSCP-HROS Quality Systems Audit Team: 

1. Provide electronic (e-mail) notification of QSP ratings and evaluations, major 

noncompliance/deviation to the documented QSP and/or the quality system, 

and all correspondence submitted to the contractor, as applicable. DSCPHROS will review all factors of production, inspection, and product failure to 

determine if the contractor has implemented an adequate quality system that 

continuously produces conforming products. This determination will be made 

by obtaining information from the applicable Government inspection agency, 

feedback from HRA and HRU’s QAS personnel as applicable. The following 

information is needed in determining skip-lot inspection: 

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The contractor/subcontractor’s latest documented Quality System Plan (QSP) 

evaluation rating, and latest compliance audit results; the quality history of the 

contractor and of the proposed items tentatively qualified for skip-lot 

inspection; the period of production; and the data required to implement skiplot inspection (product name, lot numbers and the inspection agencies’ end 

item inspection results). 

2. DSCP-HROS will conduct compliance quality systems audits to evaluate the 

contractor’s implementation of and compliance with the QSP, as well as the 

effectiveness of the approved documented QSP and other contractual 

requirements, on an annual basis (at a minimum). DSCP-HROS will 

determine if the contractor is still able to understand the current contract 

requirements (new and old) and follow the quality or other procedures cited in 

the contractor’s approved QSP. 

3. DSCP-HROS will notify the Contracting Officer of the following: Major

deficiencies noted in the documented QSP or implemented quality system; if 

there are significant changes in the contractor’s personnel or quality system; 

and recommendations concerning whether or not to discontinue skip-lot 

inspection. 

III. INSPECTION AGENCIES’ RESPONSIBILITIES: 

A. The designated GQAR shall review the contractor’s documented QSP and verify 

the quality system for implementation, compliance, and effectiveness in accordance

with the approved documented QSP and other contractual requirements. 

Provide telephonic and written notification (using the Corrective Action Request 

Report) of a major noncompliance/deviation to the documented QSP and/or the 

quality system within one working day, as applicable. 

B. The designated GQAR shall perform Government verification inspection and 

testing (lot-by-lot or skip-lot as approved by the Contracting Officer) for products 

required by the contract to assure that the contractor/subcontractor’s end item

results are reliable. Copies of the results of the inspection and tests performed by 

the Government QAR shall be given to the contractor. The results of 

nonconforming lots (all nonconformances noted by the GQAR) will be telephoned 

and/or faxed to the assigned DSCP-HRU or DSCP-HRA’s QAS. 

C. The designated GQAR shall maintain product data required for evaluating the 

contractor’s qualifications for skip-lot inspection and initiate skip-lot inspection 

when a product becomes eligible for skip-lot inspection. NOTE: Skip-lot 

inspection does not apply to record review. The GQAR shall review ALL records 

pertinent to all lots produced (including those not inspected under skip-lot 

inspection), issue a corrective action request if applicable (addressing a finding or 

observation), and provide a copy of the record review to the contractor. 

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During Government joint compliance audits, the GQAR shall make available a 

copy (to the Government Audit Team) of the results of record reviews for those lots 

randomly selected by the Government Audit Team for record verifications. 

D. The designated GQAR shall maintain a running record/skip lot log of the lots 

inspected by item, number of item lots by lot number, and the number of 

nonconformances found in each lot for all lots inspected during States 2 and 3. 

E. The designated GQAR shall annotate the certification document (e.g., USDA-AMS 

certificate, DD 250, other) to indicate each end-item inspection which was 

“skipped” by the GQAR under the skip-lot procedures describe in this document. 

If more than one lot is included on a certification document, the annotation shall 

indicate each end-item inspection skipped by the GQAR, if any, for each lot. The 

annotation should have a format acceptable to the GQAR, format cited in 

paragraph VIII.B., or a format similar to the following : 

“Acceptance of the lot or lots listed is based in part on the contractor’s end item

examination results in accordance with skip-lot procedures.” 

F. Questions or concerns may be referred to the applicable QAS assigned to DSCPHRU for Tray Pack, DSCP-HRA for MRE or DSCP-HROS for quality systems as 

applicable, Directorate of Subsistence, Operational Rations CBU, 700 Robbins 

Street, Building 6, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5092. 

IV. CONTRACTOR/SUBCONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. The contractor/subcontractor shall notify the applicable inspection agency, In-Plant

GQAR and DSCP, in writing, of any change in the following: QSP; change in the 

method of manufacture or inspection; significant changes in personnel having an effect 

on the production and quality of the product; tools, gauges, or material related to the 

production of the product; or implementation of any change in the specification. 

B. The contractor/subcontractor shall notify the GQAR of scheduled producer’s end item 

verification inspection, specific switching procedure (normal, tightened, reduced) being 

utilized for each product qualified under the ANSI /ASQC Standard Z1.4. The GQAR 

shall also be immediately notified whenever the contractor/subcontractor finds a lot to be 

nonconforming and a disposition is desired under the contractual nonconformance 

procedures. All nonconforming lots accepted by the Contracting Officer under the 

nonconformance procedures (reinspection, waiver, rework, etc.), in lieu of inspection by 

the inspection agency, will be treated as nonexistent for purposes of the skip-lot 

sampling program (when the nonconformance is found by the contractor/subcontractor’s 

inspection system). 

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C. Contractor/Subcontractor’s End Item Inspection and Test Reports and other 

documentation. The contractor shall provide the GQAR the following documentation for 

all lots to be shipped to substantiate lot conformance, whether or not they are inspected 

by the GQAR (under the skip-lot inspection): A copy of the current production standard 

(PDM/First Article) formula (including ratios of ingredients and formulation records for 

each production lot), copies of all data/records of inspections and tests conducted (inprocess and end item and other data applicable to the lot in question as cited in the MPC 

Clause). 

D. The contractor/subcontractor shall not ship any lot or any part of a lot until the GQAR 

has determined lot conformance with all requirements of the contract that are not 

qualified for skip-lot inspection. The following certification shall be affixed to the 

inspection and test reports provided to the GQAR for shipment: 

 CERTIFICATION: 

I certify that the component or end item presented for acceptance under terms of 

contract/order number ____________has been inspected and tested, as required by the 

contract and specification/CID/etc., number ________________, through the inspection 

and testing of samples that were representative of the lot, and to the best of my

knowledge and belief, were found to comply with the all the requirements of the 

specification and the contract. 

The product_________, lot number ________ was inspected using the switching 

procedures cited in ANSI/ASQC Standard Z1.4, severity of inspection 

______________ for the qualified characteristics (see attached end-item inspection 

results for sampling plans used for the inspection of this lot) .

Signature: ____________________ 

(Type name and title of contractor/subcontractor’s representative who is authorized to 

sign the report or certificate, and the date) 

DISTRIBUTION: 

The contractor/subcontractor shall provide a copy to GQAR of which one copy shall be 

faxed promptly (by the GQAR) to DSCP if the lot is nonconforming. 

V. SUPPLIER END ITEM SKIP-LOT INSPECTION AND TESTING 

QUALIFICATION. 

A. Supplier Qualification. The supplier shall: 

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1. Have a documented QSP that was rated acceptable by DSCP-HROS. Have 

implemented and maintained the documented QSP for controlling product 

quality and changes in the system. The quality system shall include inspection 

by the supplier of every lot produced and recording of inspection results. 

2. Have implemented a quality system that is reliable in terms of consistently 

producing conforming product and that is capable of detecting and correcting 

shifts in quality levels and monitoring process changes which may adversely 

affect quality. The supplier’s personnel responsible for the application of the 

system shall exhibit a clear understanding of the application standards, systems, 

and procedures to be followed. 

3. Not have experienced an organization change that might adversely affect quality. 

 

B. Product Qualification (Flow # 2):. The product shall have met all 

contract/specification/CID requirements and ALL of the following requirements: 

1. Be of stable design and not a new item (new item is one that has never been 

produced for the specific ration program). An item is no longer new and can be 

considered stable of design if it meets 2 through 5 below. 

2. Have been manufactured on an essentially continuous basis for a period of not 

less than six months (whenever production is held pending first 

article/PDM/PCR/ sample approval, only the time period after approval and 

resumption of regular production shall be included). Essentially continuous 

production (for new items) means that “production is at a steady rate.” 

Production is considered continuous if at least one lot of that product (e.g., 

chicken and rice) is submitted for inspection at a frequency of every month. 

3. Have been on normal inspection at the inspection level cited in the contractual 

documents (see ANSI ZI.4 and the specific product specification/CID or other 

contractual document where the inspection levels are given). 

4. Have, at a minimum, been maintained at the AQL(s) cited in individual 

specifications or other contractual documents (see ANSI Z1.4) for a period of 

not less than six months. This means that there have been no Government end 

item failures for the item for 6 months. 

5. The previous 10 consecutive lots were found conforming with all the 

requirements cited in the contract/specification/CID and were accepted during 

the initial inspection performed by the assigned In-Plant GQAR.

VI. PROCEDURES FOR SKIP LOT INSPECTION (Flow # 3 one-in-four skip-lot 

frequency and Flow # 4 one-in-six skip-lot frequency): 

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A. Determining initial skip-lot inspection frequency (for products that are not new and 

stable design was previously established): 

1. Lot-by-Lot Inspection Procedure (State 1): The inspection program for product 

starts in State 1, lot-by-lot inspection. When the supplier and the product qualify 

for skip-lot inspection, the program switches to State 2, skip-lot. Skip-lot 

inspection may be temporarily interrupted resulting in a transfer to state 3. 

2. Data from the last 10 consecutive lots presented for Government verification 

inspection. This data consists of a running record of the lots inspected by item

and examination, number of item lots by lot number, and the number of lots 

rejected during the 1st Government verification end item inspections results. 

3. The initial frequency for skip-lot inspection (State 2) shall be 1 lot inspected in 4 

lots submitted. The frequency for skip-lot inspection should be reduced to 1 in 6 

lots submitted when a product has been at the 1 in 4 frequency for a minimum of 

one year with no change in status in skip-lot inspection for all 

requirements/characteristics eligible for skip-lot inspection (i.e., no Government 

end item inspection failures). In other words, all product 

requirements/characteristics eligible for skip-lot inspection shall qualify to go to 

the frequency of 1 in 6 at the same time. If there is a change in status, the new 

period begins when the product meets the 1 in 4 re-qualification requirements. 

Under no circumstances should two different skip-lot inspection frequencies be 

used for a product at the same time. 

4. Other skip-lot frequencies cited in the standard ANS/ASQC S1 shall not be used,

unless approved by the Contracting Officer. 

B. Lot Selection for Skip-Lot Procedure (State 2 ):

1. The lots inspected under State 2 (skip-lot) shall be selected in accordance with the 

inspection agency procedure (e.g. six-sided die or other method provided the 

contractor does not know which of the lots will be inspected until the lots have 

been offered for Government inspection). Unless otherwise directed by DSCP, 

end item inspection skip-lot verification shall be done by randomly selecting not 

less than one lot in four or one lot in six consecutive lots, as applicable, presented 

for inspection of a specific item. The sampling procedure under skip-lot places 

the succeeding lots not chosen for inspection back into the universe available for 

subsequent inspection. For instance, starting with a group of four lots (i.e., 1-4), 

randomly select one of them for inspection. If lot 2 were selected, the next lot 

would be selected from lots 3, 4, 5, or 6. If lot 6 was chosen at random, the next 

selection would be from lots 7, 8, 9, or 10, and so on. 

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2. Product must be produced on an essentially continuous basis. Essentially 

continuous basis (products that are not new) means that at least 1 lot of product is 

submitted for Government verification inspection every 2 months for that specific 

product (unless contracted quantity is completed for that line item or as directed 

by DSCP) or other products of similar nature (produced for the rations programs). 

Product shipped to other parties (other ration contractors) shall be considered in 

the determination of essentially continuous production. NOTE: Product of 

similar nature: All MRE placeable and multi-stage entrees can be grouped 

together and considered of similar nature; All MRE pumpable entrees can be 

grouped together and considered of similar nature; all MRE thermostabilized 

fruits can be grouped together and considered of similar nature; all MRE cakes 

can be grouped together and considered of similar nature; all MRE 

cookies/brownies can be grouped together and considered of similar nature; all 

tray pack placeable and multi-stage entrees can be grouped together and 

considered of similar nature; All tray pack pumpable entrees can be grouped 

together and considered of similar nature; all tray pack cakes can be grouped 

together and considered of similar nature; all tray pack hot filled desserts can be 

grouped together and considered of similar nature; all tray pack thermostabilized 

desserts can be grouped together and considered of similar nature; and, etc., etc. 

3. A running record/skip lot log shall be maintained by the designated GQAR of the 

lots inspected by item and examination, number of lots by item, and the number 

of nonconformances found in each lot for all lots inspected during State 2 and 3. 

4. Acceptance or rejection of lots identified by the contractor (based on their 

inspection in lieu of submitting the lot for Government inspection) shall not affect 

skip-lot status. The contractor may request that the Contracting Officer accept a 

lot without Government verification inspection (rework/waiver based on the 

contractors inspection results). Such a lot will be treated as nonexistent for the 

purpose of the skip-lot procedure. However, paperwork concerning the 

nonconforming lot and the final disposition shall be placed in the 

contractor/subcontractor’s quality history file. The contractor shall not, 

knowingly, submit lots found nonconforming by their end item inspection system

for Government inspection. If a lot is inspected by the Government, rejected, and 

later accepted as nonconforming, the Government initial inspection results shall 

be used to determine skip-lot status. 

C. Interrupt Procedures (State 3): Skip lot shall be interrupted and lot-by-lot 

inspection implemented (for that set of requirements or characteristics) in accordance 

with the contractual requirements when the data from the last inspected lot does not 

meet the requirements of the contract. 

D. Requalification Procedures: Skip lot may be resumed when 4 consecutive lots 

presented or 6 consecutive lots (if under the 1 in 6 frequency) for Government 

verification inspection are accepted during State 3 (lot-by-lot inspection). 

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Upon re-qualification , skip-lot inspection should be resumed using the last skip-lot 

frequency (1-in-4 or 1-in-6 as applicable).

E. Disqualification Procedures: The product shall be disqualified for skip-lot 

inspection and lot-by-lot inspection procedures reinstated when: 

1. Requalification is not achieved within 10 lots of the specific product (e.g., 

chicken and rice); or the product placed in State 3 is not produced for more than 

two months; and or, the procedures shift between State 2 and State 3 more than 

once within a period of two months. 

2. The Government detects irregularity in the following: a) The contractor’s quality 

system during joint Government compliance audits or verification/audits 

conducted by the assigned In-Plant GQAR; b) decrease in product quality noted 

during Government product reviews; c) contractor deviates from the approved 

documented QSP without Government review and approval or deviates from the 

contractual requirements; d) a customer complaint received, validated and 

determined to have a serious effect on the quality of the product; and e) the 

contractor fails to address corrective action requests (CARs) or to take effective 

corrective and preventive action to correct deficiencies noted by the inspection 

agencies (after GQAR’s CAR has been validated by DSCP-HROS), customers, 

and/or during DSCP-HROS compliance audits. 

3. If lot-by lot inspection is reinstated because of one of the events listed above, the 

qualification requirements cited in the initial qualification requirements (Para. V.) 

shall apply. Upon re-qualification under the initial qualification requirements, 

skip-lot inspection should be resumed using the last skip-lot frequency (1 in 4 or 1 

in 6 as applicable). 

4. The Contracting Officer determines that skip-lot is not in the best interest of the 

Government and decides to return to lot-by-lot inspection. 

 VII. EXAMPLES OF PRODUCT QUALIFICATIONS: 

 

 A. MRE Entrees Performance Specifications: The product requirements cited in the 

individual MRE’s product performance specifications (Quality Assurance Provisions Paragraph 

II.A. 4.4. Examination): Product shall be examined for the defects listed in Table I utilizing the 

double sampling plans indicated in ANSI/ASQC Z1.4. The lot size shall be expressed in 

pouches. The sample unit shall be one pouch. The inspection level shall be S-3 and the AQL, 

expressed in terms of defects per hundred units (DHU), shall be 1.5 for major defects and 4.0 for 

minor defects for product inspection. 

 

 

9 
 SITUATION EXAMPLE (after the contractor satisfies the contractor and product 

 qualification requirements): The last 10 lots range 35,001 - 150,000 pouches; the 

 sample size for each lot was 20 pouches; the last 10 consecutive lots presented for 

 Government verification inspection were accepted with a total sample size equal to 200 

 pouches; only 1 minor defect was noted during the Government verification inspection 

 for the 10 lots; no other defects were noted. 

1. The previous 10 consecutive lots presented for Government verification 

inspection were found conforming with all the requirements cited in the 

contract/specification/CID and were accepted during the initial inspection 

performed by the assigned In-Plant GQAR. 

2. The product met the skip-lot requirements. Hence, the product qualifies for 

skip-lot inspection for all examinations eligible for skip-lot inspection. 

 

B. Tray Pack Military/Performance Specifications: The product requirements cited in 

individual Tray Pack specifications (Quality Assurance Provisions Paragraph 4.5.3.2. 

Product Examination): Product shall be examined for the defects listed in Table I 

utilizing the double sampling plans indicated in ANSI/ASQC Z1.4. The lot size shall be 

expressed in tray pack cans. The sample unit shall be one tray pack can. The inspection 

level shall be S-3 and the AQL, expressed in terms of DHU, shall be 4.0 for major defects 

and 6.5 for minor defects. 

 SITUATION EXAMPLE (after the contractor satisfies the contractor and 

 product qualification requirements): The last 10 lots range 3,201 - 10,000 tray 

 pack cans; the sample size for each lot was 13 tray pack cans; the last 10 consecutive 

 lots presented for Government verification inspection were accepted with a total 

 sample size equal to 130 tray pack cans; 1 major defect was noted during the 

 Government verification inspection (second 

 sample of lot # 5) for the 10 lots; no other defects were noted. 

1. The previous 10 consecutive lots presented for Government verification 

inspection were found conforming with all the requirements cited in the 

contract/specification/CID and were accepted during the initial inspection 

performed by the assigned In-Plant GQAR. 

2. The product met the skip-lot requirements. Hence, the product qualifies for 

skip-lot inspection for all examinations eligible for skip-lot inspection. 

VIII. EXAMPLES OF SKIP LOT REFERENCE CODES FOR END ITEM 

EXAMINATIONS OR GROUPS OF EXAMINATIONS AND ANNOTATION TO BE 

INCLUDED ON CERTIFICATION DOCUMENT (E.G., USDA-AMS CERTIFICATE, DD 250, 

OTHER). NOTE: THESE ARE ONLY EXAMPLES, THE INSPECTION AGENCIES MAY 

ANNOTATE CERTICATION DOCUMENTS USING AN AGENCY SOP:

10 

A. Skip Lot Reference Codes for End Item Examinations or Groups of Examinations: 
All Flexible Pouches (MRE/Other) Reference MIL-PRF-44073 

Packaging of Food in Flexible Pouches

 1) II.3. 4.2.1 Examination of Pouch and Carton Assembly 

 2) II.4. Shipping Container Examination (May also be referenced in the 

 contract technical data package or the item specification/CID) 

 3) III.A.1.a & b Labeling and Marking (Pouches and Cartons) 

 4) III.A.1.c Marking of Shipping Containers (May also be referenced in the 

 contract technical data package or the item specification/CID) 

 5) Para. 4.3.6 Residual Gas Volume Test 

 6) Unit Load Exam (May also be referenced in the contract technical data package 

 or the item specification/CID) 

Individual Products Packaged in Flexible Pouches Under the Requirements of a 

Military Performance Specification (MIL-PRF)

 8) Para. 4.4 Product evaluation (include drained weight and net weight exams) 

 (Table I) 

 

Individual Products Packaged in Flexible Pouches Under the Requirements of a 

Procurement Contract Requirements (PCR)

 9) Section E Product Evaluation (include drained weight and net weight exams) 

 (QAP’s) 

 Part B 

 (Table I) 

 

 Individual Products Packaged in Flexible Pouches Under the Requirements of a 

Military Design Specification (Non-fruit)

 10) Para. 4.5.4 Net Weight Inspection 

 11) Para. 4.5.5 Product Evaluation (includes drained weight exam) 

 (Table I) 

Fruit Packaged in Flexible Pouches Under the Requirements of 

Military Design Specification MIL-F-44067D

 12) Para. 4.5.4 Net Weight Inspection 

 13) Para. 4.5.5 Product Evaluation (include drained weight, U.S. Grade, 

 (Table I) and pineapple tartness exams) 

 *14) Para. 4.5.6 Brix Testing 

 *15) Para. 4.5.7 pH Testing 

 *16) Para 4.5.8 Ascorbic Acid Testing 

 *These tests may be combined into one for skip-lot purposes 

 

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Individual Products Packaged in Flexible Pouches Under the Requirements of a 

Commercial Item Description (CID) 

 17) QAP Section Net Weight Examination 

 

 18) QAP Section Product Evaluation (includes drained weight exam) 

Individual Products Packaged in Tray Pack Cans (Metal/Polymeric) Under the 

Requirements of a Military Specification (PCR or Other Document) 

 19) Para. 4.5.3.1 Net Weight Inspection 

 20) Para. 4.5.3.2 Product Evaluation (includes drained weight exam) 

 21) Para 4.5.6 Vacuum Examination 

 22) Para. 4.5.7 Shipping Container Examination (May also be referenced in the 

 contract technical data package) 

 23) Para. 4.5.8 Unit Load Inspection (May also be referenced in the 

 contract technical data package) 

 24) Para. 5.2.3 Packaging 

 25) Para 5.4 Labeling of cans 

 26) Para. 5.5.1 Marking of Shipping Containers (May also be referenced in the 

 contract technical data package) 

B. Example of Suggested Certification Statement (the Following Statement Rubber 

Stamped to Each Copy): 

The production lot(s) listed on this certificate were inspected and accepted based 

 on end item skip lot inspection procedures. The examination(s) based on 

 specification paragraph(s) and or table(s) applicable to the referenced lot(s) were 

 skipped as indicated by the code(s) provided. 

 The following lot description may be individually typed or handwritten: 

 Lot 9068 Beef with Mushrooms in Sauce PFR: Skip Lot Code(s) 1, 3, 4, and 8. 

 Lot 9076 Noodles in Buttered Flavored Sauce PCR: Skip Lot Code(s) 

 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9. 

 Lot 9078 Pineapple MIL-F-44067D: Skip Lot Code(s) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, and 16. 

12 
COORDINATION AND APPROVAL OF SKIP LOT INSPECTION (SLI) FLOW 1 

 DSCP-HROS approves QSP and notifies 

 GQAR of QSP rating and other actions 

 GQAR reviews QSP rating, product QH, Contractor Does not 

 requests clarification from supervisor, NO qualify for skip-lot 

 or DSCP if necessary. inspection 

 Is QSP acceptable? 

 

 

 YES 

 GQAR inspection results indicates 

 that the last 10 consecutive lots by item NO

 presented for 1st Govt. verification 

 inspection were acceptable? 

 

 

 YES 

 

 

 Start 1 in 4 skip-lot 

 inspection frequency 

 

13 
INITIAL QUALIFICATION FOR PRODUCT SKIP LOT INSPECTION FLOW 2 

 ACCEPTABLE QSP?

 

 YES NO Contractor does not qualify 

 is product new for skip-lot inspection 

 

 

 NO

 YES 

 

 Stable design? Were the 10 previous consecutive lots 

 (for new product must first meet presented for Government verification

 cumulative requirements 2-5 below inspection accepted during the 1ST 

 to be considered of stable design Government verification inspection?

 (Stable design previously established)

 NO

 YES 

(2) At a minimum 1 lot of the

 product has been produced

 per month for a period of

 NLT 6 months 

 NO 

 YES 

 (3) Has product been on normal 

 inspection at the level cited 

 in the contract 

 NO

 YES 

(4) Has product been maintained 

 at the AQL’s cited in the 

 contract/specification for a 

 period of NLT 6 months?

 NO 

 YES 

 (5) Were the 10 previous consecutive lots 

presented for Gov. inspection were 

accepted during the 1st Gov. inspection? 

 NO 

 YES 

 PRODUCT QUALIFIES FOR 

 SKIP-LOT INSPECTION 

14 
SKIP LOT INSPECTION (1 IN 4 FREQUENCY) PROCEDURES FLOW 3 

 SUPPLIER AND PRODUCT MET INITIAL 

 SKIP-LOT QUALIFICATIONS AND 

 PRODUCT IS ON STATE 1:LOT-BY-LOT 

INSPECTION

 

 STATE 2: Skip-lot inspection 

 GQAR selects and inspects 1 lot 

 in 4 consecutive lots submitted 

 for Govt. verification inspection 

 Product/lot conforming IAW 

 contract requirements during the 

 1st Govt. verification inspection?

 YES NO 

 Continue with skip State 3: Interrupt skip-lot 

 Lot inspection inspection and implement

 lot-by lot Govt. inspection for 

 that Table of exams or specific

 requirement 

 Requalification: Within 10 consecutive 

 lots presented for 1st Govt. inspection , 

 are 4 consecutive lots accepted during 

 the 1st Govt. verification inspection?

 

 YES 

 NO 

 

 Disqualification: Contractor is disqualified from skip-lot

 inspection for that product or other products if (1) product 

does not re-qualifies within 10 lots (2) product or product of

similar nature not produced for more than 2 months (3) skip 

lot procedure shifts between State 2 and State 3 more than

once within 2 months (4) ineffective CPA (5) degradation in

quality of product or system (6) Contracting Officer’s option 

 If lot-by-lot Govt. inspection reinstated because 

 one of the events in the disqualification procedures, 

 the contractor must re-qualify under the initial 

 qualification requirements. Resume at 1 in 4 

 frequency after re-qualification 

15 
SKIP LOT INSPECTION (1 IN 6 FREQUENCY) PROCEDURES FLOW 4 

 STATE 2: Supplier and product met 

 initial skip-lot qualifications and product 

 has been at a 1 in 4 frequency for one year 

 with no change in status for all requirements 

 initially qualified for skip-lot inspection 

 

 GQAR selects and inspects 1 lot 

 in 6 consecutive lots submitted 

 for Govt. verification inspection 

 Product/lot conforming IAW 

 contract requirements during the 

 1st Govt. verification inspection?

 YES NO 

 Continue with skip State 3: Interrupt skip-lot 

 Lot inspection inspection and implement

 lot-by lot Govt. inspection for 

 that Table of exams or specific

 requirement 

 Requalification: Within 10 consecutive 

 lots presented for 1st Govt. inspection , 

 are 6 consecutive lots accepted during 

 the 1st Govt. verification inspection?

 

 YES 

 NO 

 

 Disqualification: Contractor is disqualified from skip-lot

 inspection for that product or other products if (1) product 

does not re-qualifies within 10 lots (2) product or product of

similar nature not produced for more than 2 months (3) skip 

lot procedure shifts between State 2 and State 3 more than

once within 2 months (4) ineffective CPA (5) degradation in

quality of product or system (6) Contracting Officer’s option 

 If lot-by-lot Govt. inspection reinstated because 

 one of the events in the disqualification procedures, 

 the contractor must re-qualify under the initial 

 qualification requirements. Resume at 1 in 6 

 skip-lot frequency after re-qualification 

16