FAQ n.20115

First of all, to answer this question it must be defined what is considered a vendor.

For the purpose of this FAQ, a vendor is defined as a company providing a specific design and manufacturing that design – a so-called vendor item.

Further to this vendor item:

• it is anticipated that the design details of the vendor item may not necessarily be known by the DOA holder;
• consequently, this approach is feasible only for low risk items.

The cooperation of the DOA holder with such a vendor must be described in the Design Organisation Handbook as part of the Subcontractor Control process.

The Subcontractor Control process for vendors, as a minimum, should describe how the DOA holder:

• assesses the criticality (risk) of the vendor item;
• defines the interface with the vendor;
• controls the design configuration of the vendor item.

The Subcontractor control process for vendors can be a form of high level control, based on technical specifications, and a verification process ensuring that the vendor item meets the technical specification, and having in the contract with the vendor an effective mechanism for information about changes - both ways. The DOA holder’s procedures should identify an appropriate entry point into the documentary system (e.g. DO/PO arrangement, contract, quality plan, handbooks, common applicable procedures, working plans, etc.).