Also called: First article test · FAT
A first article is one of the first units produced with the actual materials, tooling and process of a contract. First article inspection (or testing) checks it against every measurable requirement of the specification — dimensions, materials, construction, marking and any required tests — and records the results.
Government and military tenders often make first article approval a formal contract milestone: bulk production or delivery may only start after the buyer accepts the first article report. In commercial textile orders the approved pre-production sample usually plays the same role. State in the request which of the two your procurement requires.
Last updated: