Dwayne C. Brown
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                                                         
March 8, 1994
(Phone: 202/358-0547)

RELEASE:  94-37

NASA/DOD TO ESTABLISH STANDARD QUALITY ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

   NASA and the Department of Defense (DOD) have instituted policies 
that will lead to standardized requirements to improve the quality of 
contractor-delivered products to both agencies.

   "In many cases, government agencies rely on the same contractors 
for products, but impose different quality requirements.  This 
results in increased inefficiencies and cost.  Standard quality 
requirements will result in improved contractor efficiencies at 
reduced costs," said Fred Gregory, Associate Administrator for the 
Office of Safety and Mission Assurance (OSMA).
 
   Prior to the policies, a NASA and DOD joint working group 
developed a handbook to provide guidance in using quality methods.  
These standards were developed for international and national 
agencies respectively to establish standard quality requirements. 

   "The uniqueness of NASA and DOD programs and our own strict 
quality standards prevented using the national standards.  However, 
NASA and DOD's handbook and subsequent policies give approval to use 
those quality standards.  This will enable NASA and DOD contractors 
to consolidate their quality procedures that will improve product 
quality and enhance international competitiveness for our 
contractors, " said Carl Schneider, Deputy Director, Engineering and 
Quality Management.

   NASA's requirements will enable the agency to maximize the use of 
commercial specifications and standards for new programs, follow-on 
procurements for existing programs and current contracts.  These 
requirements will include planning and engineering, inspection and 
testing, product review, training and many other aspects of quality 
control.

   OSMA also is assessing other NASA safety and quality policies that 
could be replaced with existing national non-government, DOD or 
federal standards.
                                       
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