Small Subcontractors In Reliability Programs

Today's military systems contracts invariably have numerical and organizational reliability requirements. With systems of any size, it is advantageous for the prime contractor to sub-contract out many equipments and units. Small firms often provide superior specialized technical competence, more favorable prices, faster delivery, and a more conscientious effort; however, the small firm's lack of continuing and repetitive contractual requirements for reliability usually results in organizational weakness in this area. These firms are unable to support the cost of permanent reliability, standards, and quality control functions of the type required by these contracts. A standard comprehensive quality or reliability survey would eliminate these organizations from competition, and a superficial survey leading to their acceptance would result in the acquisition of an ineffective subcontractor. As a substitute, a specially designed analytical survey is performed which investigates the quality, reliability, standards, and design functions of the prospective sub-contractor, and indicates not only the deficiencies, but also the remedial action required. If, on the basis of price, delivery and technical competence, a firm in this category is awarded a subcontract, procedures are instituted which invariably result in a reliability achievement at least equal to that of some large organizations which, at times, have inflexible and incompatible procedures. This paper describes, in brief, the survey techniques and the remedial procedures instituted.